Kentucky basketball's 2026 recruiting board got a major update this week as 5-star power forward Christian Collins trimmed his list to a final three: Kentucky, USC, and UCLA.
As we reported 2 weeks ago, if he gets away from the West Coast, he is coming to Kentucky. The Wildcats, the lone program east of the Mississippi, are now in a head-to-head dogfight with two West Coast powerhouses for one of the nation's most dynamic long-term prospects.
Christian Collins top 3 schools: Kentucky, USC, UCLA
Landing elite West Coast talent has historically been a challenge for eastern programs, regardless of their prestige. The lifestyle change, the travel distance for family, and the allure of playing in front of a hometown crowd are powerful factors. In fact, the last national champion to come from the West Coast was Arizona back in 1997, a team that famously beat Kentucky in the final. Should have played Anderson, but I digress. As Collins' inclusion of UK in his final three proves, the draw of playing on college basketball's biggest stage remains a powerful motivator.
Mark Pope and his staff have clearly made Collins a priority, but what exactly are they chasing? According to 247Sports' Adam Finkelstein, Collins is the definition of "long-term upside." At 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-plus wingspan, he is described as a "mobile, and a very fluid mover" who is an "elastic" and "good vertical athlete."
His current strength is his defensive versatility and motor. Finkelstein notes Collins is at his best "flying around the court, asserting himself on the glass (8.3 rebounds in the EYBL), being active defensively, communicating, and playing with the high motor." He already guards multiple positions, but as he fills out his frame, his potential as a help-side defender is enormous.
Offensively, he’s still a work in progress, but he is getting better. For now. he's best in transition and on the offensive glass, but his handle and shooting (21% from three) need development.
Some have questioned his fit alongside Kentucky's other top forward target, Tyran Stokes, as both are listed as power forwards. However, their games are highly complementary. Stokes is a powerful, ball-dominant "point forward" who creates offense. Collins is a high-energy "rover" who defends, rebounds, and finishes plays. A lineup featuring Stokes at the 3 and Collins at the 4 could be a modern, positionless nightmare for opponents.
A decision is expected soon. Now, Big Blue Nation must wait and see if the "magic" of Kentucky is enough to pull an elite talent away from the West Coast.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion