When Yuri Collins lets go of the basketball, it’s like the ball already knows where it’s going. There’s no wasted motion, no unnecessary flair - just precision, timing, and a feel for the game that can’t be taught.
Collins doesn’t need to be flashy. His game is rooted in something rarer: vision, control, and the kind of basketball IQ that makes teammates better and defenses miserable.
He’s not the kind of player who grew up dreaming of dishing out 20 dimes a night. Like most kids, Collins first fell in love with scoring.
But as the game around him evolved - with the NBA shifting toward high-volume shooting and deep threes - Collins made a different choice. He leaned into the art of the pass, the rhythm of the offense, and the value of setting others up.
“I knew if I wanted to get far I had to find something that others didn’t like to do,” Collins said. “I found my identity.”
That identity was forged in the gyms of St. Louis, where Collins grew up playing one-on-one games that, at first glance, seemed built for scorers.
But Collins saw something deeper. The more he broke defenders down, the more the defense collapsed - and the more he realized just how many opportunities were opening up around him.
He wasn’t just beating his man; he was reading the floor, processing rotations, and setting the table for easy buckets.
“The same way you go in the gym and shoot the ball, you can work on different reads,” he said. “If you study the game, it’s easy to pick up.”
That mindset turned him into one of the top point guards in the region, leading St. Mary’s High School to a Class 4A State Championship appearance as a senior.
From there, he stayed close to home, heading just five miles down the road to Saint Louis University. That’s where his passing game went from impressive to historic.
In 2022 and 2023, Collins led the entire NCAA in assists - a feat that speaks to both consistency and command. In a 2022 game against Tennessee State, he racked up 20 assists, the fourth-highest single-game total in NCAA history. That’s not just a hot night - that’s orchestrating an offense at a level few ever reach.
After college, Collins kept climbing. With the Santa Cruz Warriors - Golden State’s G League affiliate - he averaged 10.8 assists per game, the highest mark in the league in over a decade.
That number doesn’t just lead the league; it sets a new standard. And it’s not just about the stats - it’s about how he gets them.
Collins sees plays before they happen, delivers the ball exactly where it needs to be, and makes life easier for everyone around him.
At Long Island Nets Media Day, Collins talked about what makes his passing so effective. It’s a mix of natural vision and the kind of behind-the-scenes grind that fans rarely see.
“It’s a blessing from God. It’s something that I’m able to do with my eyes closed,” Collins said.
“I watch a lot of basketball, I study the game a lot. But it’s also just a natural ability that I have.”
Ask him who he models his game after, and he won’t give you a name. Sure, he’s studied legends like Chris Paul and Rajon Rondo - two of the best floor generals in recent memory - but Collins isn’t trying to be anyone else.
“I play like Yuri Collins,” he said with a grin. “Really, I don’t think I play like anybody.”
That confidence is backed up by performance. While most of the Long Island Nets - Brooklyn’s G League affiliate - are still adjusting to the pro level, Collins has stepped in as the steady hand. He’s not just running the offense; he’s mentoring young players, creating scoring chances, and helping them build confidence in real time.
“I feel like I give everybody confidence on the court,” Collins said. “They know to be ready when I have the ball. Most people like to play with a point guard that is unselfish.”
And it’s not just his teammates who see it. Long Island head coach Mfon Udofia has praised Collins for being the veteran presence this young team needs.
“He’s been terrific. He’s brought leadership and a veteran presence,” Udofia said. “He’s also very vocal and helpful with the young guys, so we’re lucky to have him right now.”
But make no mistake - Collins isn’t just a passer. He can score when he needs to, and he reminded everyone of that in a recent 115-95 win over the Westchester Knicks. He missed just one shot all night, finishing with 13 points, six assists, and six rebounds - a complete performance that showed just how versatile he can be.
“I’m a hooper, bro,” Collins said. “I can do anything you need me to do.”
That kind of versatility could be exactly what the Brooklyn Nets need. With no clear-cut point guard on the NBA roster and a two-way spot still open, Collins is very much in the mix for a call-up.
He’s already spent time in Golden State’s system, learning from one of the best to ever do it in Stephen Curry. Now, he’s ready to bring his pass-first mentality to a team that’s been leaning heavily on quick-trigger offense.
“I’m ready. It’s as simple as that,” Collins said.
And based on how he’s playing, it’s hard to argue with him.