Christian Collins, a 6-foot-8, 200-pound forward from St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, California, has rapidly ascended the basketball recruiting ranks to become the No. 3 overall prospect in the 2026 class. Once an unranked JV player, Collins has transformed into a highly sought-after five-star recruit, drawing significant interest from elite college programs nationwide.
Collins’ recruitment has intensified, with scholarship offers from powerhouse programs including Kentucky, Duke, USC, Oregon, Arkansas, Alabama, Arizona, Texas, UCLA, and Villanova. Kentucky head coach Mark Pope extended an offer following an in-home visit, and Collins has expressed appreciation for the Wildcats’ player-friendly system and the opportunity to develop rapidly. Duke’s coaching staff, led by Jon Scheyer, also conducted an in-home visit, emphasizing the program’s strong family atmosphere and commitment to player development.
Despite the flurry of offers and visits, Collins has not yet scheduled any official campus visits and has indicated that he will likely wait until the late signing period to make his college decision. He is seeking a program that feels like a “home away from home” and one that offers a system conducive to his growth as a versatile wing player.
On the court, Collins has showcased his talents with Team Why Not on the Nike EYBL circuit, averaging 15.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 44.2% from the field and nearly 89% from the free-throw line. His performances have solidified his status as one of the premier prospects in his class.
As Collins continues to evaluate his options, programs like Kentucky and Duke remain firmly in contention, each offering compelling opportunities for his development and success at the collegiate level.
