ASU basketball’s Frankie Collins declares for NBA Draft, keeps college eligibility
Apr 1, 2023, 9:19 AM
Frankie Collins #10 of the Arizona State Sun Devils dunks the ball against Chuck O'Bannon Jr. #5 of the TCU Horned Frogs during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Ball Arena on March 17, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Arizona State sophomore guard Frankie Collins announced on Friday night that he is entering the 2023 NBA Draft.
Collins noted that he will pursue his dreams of playing in the NBA while holding onto his college eligibility in an Instagram post.
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“I have also been blessed to have coach Bobby Hurley as my coach and the entire ASU staff who welcomed me in with open arms,” Collins wrote. “I am grateful and forever indebted for the leadership and support that you have provided thus far.”
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“To my immediate family, my close friends and my extended basketball family (Sun Devil Nation), and everyone who has been a part of my journey so far, you have helped me take major leaps on and off the court this past year,” Collins added.
The early entry withdrawal deadline for underclassmen to keep their eligibility is May 31, after the combine from May 15-21.
The draft is June 22.
Collins transferred to ASU from Michigan last offseason and started 33 games as the Sun Devils’ point guard.
He averaged 28.2 minutes per contest in which he produced 9.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists.
The former four-star recruit shot 40.1% from the floor, 33.8% from beyond the arc and 62.2% from the free-throw line in 2022-23.
In the NCAA Tournament matchup with TCU, Collins provided eight points in 28 minutes, including an emphatic slam early in the second half to give ASU a nine-point advantage.
FRANKIE COLLINS WITH THE POSTER 💥#MarchMadness | @SunDevilHoops pic.twitter.com/nV4F2QZKcQ
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 18, 2023
The Sun Devils fell 72-70, though, ending their run in the Round of 64 after beating Nevada in the First Four.
ASU will have some roster turnover next season, as leading scorer Desmond Cambridge Jr. is out of eligibility.
Guards DJ Horne and Austin Nunez, along with wing Jamiya Neal and center Enoch Boakye, entered the transfer portal.
Hurley added guard Malachi Davis, who spent three years at the junior college level, on Thursday.
