Riley Collins is making a significant move in the basketball world, transitioning from his role at Tennessee to join Justin Gainey's staff at NC State. Collins, who has been a key figure in Tennessee basketball, started his journey with the Volunteers in 2022 and quickly climbed the ranks, earning a promotion to Assistant Director of Player Development in 2024.
But who exactly is Riley Collins? With a strong basketball pedigree, Collins played college ball at Drew University, a Division III school, where he left a lasting legacy.
As a 6-foot guard, he was a three-year team captain and became Drew's all-time leading scorer, amassing 1,973 career points. His accolades don't stop there-he also holds records for assists and three-pointers made, and he was a four-time First Team All-Landmark Conference honoree.
In 2020, Collins was named an NABC Reese’s All-American and earned the team MVP award for the 2019-20 season.
After hanging up his playing shoes, Collins embarked on a coaching career. From 2020 to 2022, he served as a graduate assistant at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia.
There, he focused on skill development and program operations, while also working as a basketball skills development specialist with NBA trainer Alex Bazzell. In this role, Collins conducted individual workouts for professional players and helped facilitate a pre-draft camp for Roc Nation Sports.
Collins also made his mark in the Hoop Group Showcase League as the head coach of the New Jersey Panthers from 2019 to 2022, leading the team to a league championship in 2020.
At Tennessee, Collins was known for his dedication and work ethic. He managed individual player workouts, skill development sessions, and on-court improvement work.
His contributions extended to in-game video review for coaches’ challenges, showcasing his comprehensive understanding of the game. Tennessee's head coach Rick Barnes praised Collins, describing him as a "tireless worker" who consistently gave his all to the program.
As Collins joins NC State, his experience and passion for the game are sure to make a significant impact. His journey is a testament to his relentless drive and deep love for basketball, and fans will be eager to see how he continues to shape the future of the sport.