Isaiah Collier knows he is good. Andy Enfield and the USC coaching staff know he can be better.
Let’s start with the good stuff. The 6-foot-3 guard was the No. 2 overall prospect in his class as rated by 247Sports. He has used his unique blend of size, speed and strength to already become one of the best guards in the 2023 class.
Through his first four games with USC, Collier averaged 21 points, 3.8 assists, 3 rebounds and 1.3 steals while shooting 52% overall, 42% beyond the arc and 81% from the free throw line. On Thursday against Seton Hall, Collier scored 14 points with 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. That’s a lot of production. However, Collier also committed five turnovers and did not make a lot of good decisions.
In order for Collier to take the next step in his development he will have to cut down on his turnovers. In five games, Collier has turned the ball over 26 times.
The NBA draft analysis site Draft Express noted that “Collier’s feel for the game and flair in changing speeds and passing off a live dribble have obvious appeal combined with the competitive mindset he brings defensively and all-around basketball instincts. His perimeter shooting is the biggest question NBA scouts have about his game, something we’ll learn more about this season. He should have the keys to USC’s offense and a huge platform to show he’s worthy of consideration as the No. 1 pick.”
In USC’s last three games — against UC Irvine, Brown, and on Thursday against Seton Hall — Collier has fallen well short of that top-pick standard. He is going to be a lottery pick. He is almost certain to be a top-10 pick, but if Collier wants to at least stay in the top five and realistically move into the top three, he will need to be a lot more patient than he was against Seton Hall. He will need to show he can attack defenses in different ways. He will also need to help big men Joshua Morgan, Vince Iwuchukwu, and Kijani Wright get more involved in the USC offense.
Isaiah Collier has a lot of work to do, and Andy Enfield needs to help him see the game in a new way as USC’s season moves along.
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