Christian Collins recently shared the big names that are eager to give him a spot on their rosters. Colling is a 2026 5-star forward whose potential has made him one of the most demanded players this season.
While Collins hasn’t announced or hinted any information about which team he is considering joining, the list that he shared includes programs like Kentucky and Villanova that may get special priority from him.
Big Names Like Kentucky And Villanova Want Christian Collins
Collins is a 6’8″, 200-pound forward from St. John Bosco in California. He’s ranked No. 3 overall in the 2026 class by 247Sports. He’s also the top power forward in his class.
His skills are growing fast, and colleges like Arkansas, Kentucky, Alabama, Arizona, Texas, USC, Villanova, and California are reaching out to offer him a deal, according to League Ready.
2026 5⭐️ Christian Collins is hearing the most from these schools, he told @LeagueRDY:
Arkansas
Kentucky
Alabama
Arizona
Texas
USC
Villanova
CalCollins is one of the top overall players in the ‘26 class and is primed for a huge summer. #7 in the ESPN60. pic.twitter.com/KFmTtAWixd
— Sam Kayser (@247HSHoops) April 16, 2025
Collins wasn’t always this high on the radar. A year ago, he wasn’t even ranked. By January, he climbed to No. 15. Now, he’s jumped 12 spots to No. 3. His summer performance was strong, and he’s carried that into his junior year. Scouts love his potential.
“A long and wiry forward who is on the way to becoming a jumbo wing, Collins’ court coverage, quick twitch and ability to bend and contort his frame are all very rare for a player his size,” said Adam Finklestein, 247Sports Director of Scouting.
At a USA Basketball minicamp before the Final Four, Collins stood out among 70 top prospects from the 2026, 2027, and 2028 classes. Eric Bossi from 247Sports watched him closely.
“Over the last nine months, nobody has seen their stock rise faster than Collins,” Bossi noted. Collins showed he can create off the dribble and shoot better. He’s also more flexible as an athlete. While listed as a power forward, he’s starting to play like a wing. This versatility makes him special.
Why Colleges Want Collins?
Collins is a rare talent. His size and speed let him cover the court quickly. He can twist and move in ways most players his height can’t. He’s getting better at dribbling and shooting, which makes him a threat anywhere on the floor.
Scouts believe he could become a full-time wing player. Some even think he might compete for the No. 1 spot in his class.
Arkansas, led by coach John Calipari, is one of the schools pushing hard for Collins. Calipari is building a strong 2025-26 roster and sees Collins as a key piece for the future.
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Kentucky, where Calipari coached before, is also in the mix. Villanova, Alabama, Arizona, Texas, USC, and California are all making their offers. These schools see Collins’ potential to be a game-changer.
This summer will be big for Collins. He’s expected to keep improving at a fast pace. Scouts will watch him closely to see if he can maintain his rise. For now, he’s focused on his junior season and developing his skills. Colleges will keep calling, but the real recruiting battle will heat up closer to summer.
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