NBA Draft Scouting Report: Saint Louis' Yuri Collins
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Yuri Collins
Guard | Saint Louis
Height: 6'0” | Weight: 190 lbs
2023 Draft Age: 22.29
Jake Crandall-USA TODAY NETWORK
Prospect Profile
Collins is without a doubt one of the best passers in the entire country. Although he’s undersized, he will still have a chance to make it at the next level due to that facilitation upside.
Following First Team All-Conference honors in the Atlantic 10 two seasons ago, was originally set to transfer from Saint Louis but returned for fourth season. Now, he’s entered the 2023 NBA Draft.
In the season opener of 2022-23 season, Collins had 14 assists with 0 turnovers in a win against Murray State. He ended up finishing the recent season averaging a double-double with 11.2 points and 10.1 assists per game. He’s more of a pure point guard, thriving on setting teammates up and doesn’t need to score to be effective. A player that facilitates, takes care of the ball and is a good connector always has a chance at the next level. His passing skills are among the best in all of college basketball.
Again, he's extremely undersized which makes it tough to make it in the modern NBA. Many of the elite guards are upwards of 6-foot-5 or taller at this level, which puts Collins at a disadvantage. With that in mind, any time a prospect has an elite skill, there's always a chance. With how great of a passer he is, spending time in the G League and proving he can play against an increased level of competition could result in a chance as a bench facilitator down the road.
Although he is known for being a passer, he can also score when needed and has a knack for hitting big buckets down the stretch in close games. Collins played at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament following the season and looked solid. He will likely go undrafted, but don’t count him out at the NBA level.
Highlights
Draft Projection
Potential Second-Round Pick in 2023 NBA Draft.
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