Frankie Collins (185-G-2002, college: Vanderbilt) is a 24 year old 183cm point guard that is seeking an opportunity overseas. He had a brief stint in Germany with the EPG Baskets Koblenz where he played 2 games averaging 16,5ppg and 4,5rpg. Unfortunately he and the EPG Baskets had to part ways with each other. He had a lot of early experience playing at Coronado high school, Ed W. Clark high school, Arizona Compass Prep school and played AAU with Dream Vision. He began his NCAA career with the University of Michigan (NCAA) averaging 2.8ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.4apg. He then played 2 years at Arizona State University (NCAA) averaging 9.7ppg, 4.1rpg, 4.3apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 42.2%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 62.2% and 13.8ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.2apg, 2.6spg, FGP: 49.2%, 3PT: 31.0%, FT: 57.6%. He then played a season at Texas Christian University (NCAA) averaing 11.2ppg, 4.4rpg, 4.4apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 26.1%, FT: 59.4%. He then finished at Vanderbilt University (NCAA) averaging 7.8ppg, 4.2rpg, 4.7apg, 2.4spg, FGP: 38.2%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 66.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.combefore making his overseas pro debut against the Giessen 46ers.
Thanks Frankie for talking to germanhoops.com. After a stellar NCAA career where you played at 4 schools, your now playing your rookie season in Germany with Pro A team EPG Baskets Koblenz. How massive is the excitement for you?
I think I’m overly excited to start my professional career and I can’t wait to get things going Monday and put on a show for Koblenz and show them what they should be expecting for this entire season.
How tough was the summer transfer period? You had had 2 tough injuries the previous 2 seasons. Did teams overseas see that as a liability?
It was really tough considering it was the second time it happened to me, and a lot of teams passed on me because of the two previous back to back injuries but I didn’t let that stop me from working and waiting my turn.
You have a rookie challenge with the EPG Baskets Koblenz coming in to replace the injured Tyren Moore. Do you feel any pressure to fullfill the expectations?
I’m sure there is a lot that Tyren did for this team but I don’t feel any pressure considering I know what I bring to a team and that’s winning basketball and making those around me better so no pressure at all, can’t have pressure doing something you love to do
What were the main reasons for joining the EPG Baskets Koblenz? What was the deciding moment where you just had to sign on the contract?
It was an opportunity and they reached out to me and mentioned they need me and I just wanted to play, a few weeks ago I was at home on the couch so I wouldn’t pass out the opportunity.
How did the talks go with head coach Stephan Dohrn? What did you appreciate most about his basketball philosophy?
Coach is great and he’s competitive and he wants to win everything and I think that’s where we click the most, he always so serious but with me and how my personality is I try to get him to laugh a little bit you know. But he’s a Great coach and an even better person.
Let´s talk about your game. You fill the stat sheet really well. Would you classify yourself as a pass first point guard?
Yes a pass first pg that can do it all and also create for his self.
Your three pointer is still a work in progress. How would you classify your shooting at this point of your career? What steps do you want to make this season concerning your outside shooting?
I would say for the shooting for the first time in my career I can see the change finally coming along and the work is coming together and My uncle back at home Sacramento, CA – AD Smoots, Truu Handles, took over for me and help me the entire spring and summer since march.
Talk about your defensive game. The idea of you and Chase Johnson as the dynamic defensive duo very enticing. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of a defender do you still want to be become?
I am one of the best defenders and I will continue to show that in every league I play and at every level and I take pride in that.
On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to improve your game?
Decision making being better and also shooting consistency
You played your freshman season with the University of Michigan (NCAA) playing 31 games averaging 2.8ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.4apg. You didn´t play a big role, but helped reached the NCAA Sweet 16. What memories do you have of your season at Michigan. What positives could you get out of it?
Winning basketball and just learning how to always be ready whenever your number is called and I did that so that was something that was huge for my careers
You had a career high at Michigan with 14 points in 30 minutes in the March Madness win over Colorado. How special was that game in your career?
I think that was the game where I knew I could play at the college level and compete that a high level, it shaped me into the PG I am today and I was ready
You then played 2 seasons at Arizona State University (NCAA) averaging 9.7ppg, 4.1rpg, 4.3apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 42.2%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 62.2% and 13.8ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.2apg, 2.6spg, FGP: 49.2%, 3PT: 31.0%, FT: 57.6%. How valuable was it playing for Bobby Hurley? How did he help you most with the development of your game=
Bobby Hurley was my favorite coach and still is and he’s helped me and taught me what it takes to be a really good pg and he taught me how to control the game of basketball as a guard and he shaped me into the player I am today, he has a huge impact on my life and I am forever grateful for him.
You had many great games against California, USF and game winners against Umass Lowell and Stanford. What memories do you have of the game winners and which meant more to you?
The Stanford and California game stuck out the most for me because my entire family was there and getting all them in the same building is already hard as it is lol so that was the biggest blessing of my life. I have a pretty good track record with game winner and go ahead baskets lol
You then played at Texas Christian University (NCAA) averaging 11.2ppg, 4.4rpg, 4.4apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 26.1%, FT: 59.4%. How tough was getting injured in December at Texas Christian? What memories do you have of that short season on the court?
I think the toughest thing was it being my first ever injury and having to sit out for an entire season while seeing your team needs you!!! But I had great memories at TCU and that team could’ve been special
You then played at Vanderbilt University (NCAA) averaging 7.8ppg, 4.2rpg, 4.7apg, 2.4spg, FGP: 38.2%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 66.7%. Once again this season ended after 9 games. I expect this happening a second time must have been worse than the first time. How did you deal with it again mentally? What did you learn about yourself that season?
Yeah this one was the hardest for me, I had so many moments where I almost quit playing because I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with my knee, I was doing every treatment and doing everything with different doctors to try and get healthy and luckily when I went home I got with my home doctors and they helped me tremendously, PPP in Las Vegas, NV Charles Sams and Sofia Cruz. But my support system helped me out so much. My injury took 5 months for me to get cleared by the doctor and it had me heart broken.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or DJ Horne?
We played so much we both won a lot of times but it made both of us the players we are today
Who is the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?
Benedict Maturin and Caleb Love
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?
Trazerien White
Luther Muhammad
Mike James
Isaiah Barnes
Kobe Bufkin
Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?
Kobe, Jordan, Bron, Steph
Who is your GOAT?
Kobe Bryant
Thanks Frankie for the chat
