Collins Becoming a Must-See Prospect

Dwayne Collins is old-school. The 6-foot-7, 225-pound power forward from Miami Senior (Fla.) High School is a blue-collar, dirty-work, get on the floor throwback all the way down to this afro picked out at the biggest stage. Even with his Ben Wallace qualities, the class of 2006 prospect found his own niche at the ABCD camp. His name is beginning to make the rounds on the national scene.

Like many of his fellow Sunshine State athletes, Collins has a nice work ethic and does the little things in and around the bucket in order to get the momentum shifted to his respective team’s side.

“It was a good experience and I think I did alright,” Collins said of the ABCD camp. “If I can’t score, I think I can do the small things to win. I mean, who doesn’t like to win? I do and I’ll do whatever I need to do in order to get the win. I think that part of me impresses coaches.”

That energy all derives from his desire to change the stereotype of Florida athletes. There are more than just football players there, he says.

“Florida, for whatever reason, isn’t known as a basketball state,” Collins said. “We are trying get that changed. There are good players out there. I think people are starting to look at Florida differently now.”

People, particularly college coaches, are looking at Collins a little differently now. After he shined at the prestigious shoe camp, and the underclassmen all-star game, Collins has seen his recruitment sky-rocket.

“Kansas, Miami-FL, Florida and Oklahoma called my (high school) coach,” Collins said.

As a rising junior, Collins said he’s enjoying the AAU season and is looking forward to seeing the interest grow but for now, the forward is trying to improve his skills set. So what is next on his basketball things to do list?

“I’d like to start shooting more, which I feel like I’m doing now,” Collins said. “My handles are getting better because I might need to play the small forward spot with my height at the next level.”

Collins will be in action this weekend at the AAU Super Showcase with Team Breakdown in Orlando, Fla. Rivals.com will be on hand for the event from start to finish. Stay logged on for updates from the venue.