Will Isaiah Collier get drafted into the NBA? Exploring the chances of USC point guard's 2024 NBA Draft projection
Isaiah Collier had an up-and-down freshman season with the USC Trojans. He entered the 2023-24 season as a five-star recruit and the top-ranked overall prospect in the 2023 recruiting class. Collier appeared in 27 games, making 26 starts, as a hand injury caused him to miss six games.
He averaged 16.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists. 1.5 steals and 0.2 blocks in 30.0 minutes per game while shooting 49.0% from the field, 33.8% from three-point range and 67.3% from the free-throw line. While he entered the season in contention to be the first pick in the 2024 NBA draft, his draft stock took a hit as the Trojans struggled to a 15-18 record, missing the NCAA Tournament.
Although he is unlikely to be selected in the top five – and could slip out of the top 10 – Collier is a potential lottery pick. He is a lock to hear his name called; however, he has a wide range of possibilities. The former top prospect is projected to land anywhere from the late lottery portion of the first round to the end of the first round altogether.
This year's draft will be different from previous drafts as it will be held over two days – Round One will take place on Wednesday while Round Two is set for Thursday. Collier is unlikely to have to wait until the second day to hear his name called as he is almost guaranteed to come off the board on Wednesday.
Isaiah Collier shares message for critics ahead of 2024 NBA draft
Isaiah Collier's draft stock took a hit in his lone collegiate season with the USC Trojans. Despite this, he is determined to prove he is the best guard in this draft class and has a chip on his shoulder. In comments shared by Marc Spears of Andscape, he said:
"I’m going into every workout with a chip on my shoulder. A lot of things didn’t go the way I wanted them to go. There is a purpose to it. I feel like I’m still going to showcase that I’m that guy. I want to show everyone that I’m the best guard in this draft class. I’m taking it day by day. Keep working. Going in there in high-level shape and showcasing what I do."
While there are questions about his perimeter shooting ability, his game is well-rounded elsewhere. Furthermore, Collier is viewed as a hard worker, and scouts believe his jump shot will develop at the next level.