Devon Collier (2010) Signed LOI

photo: SNY.tv

Signed LOI – 11/16/09

Devon Collier – 6′8″, 210, PF, Bronx, NY (St. Anthony, Jersey City, NJ)

Collier found himself academically ineligible to compete for Bob Hurley’s Friars team for the beginning of the 2009-10 season.  He apparently had a major problem focusing while the whole recruiting process wore on.  But he buckled down,  and he became eligible on Jan. 15th so that he was able to travel and play with the Friars on Jan. 18th at the Spalding Hoop Hall Classic.

He came off the bench and looked like he had missed a month of practice.  But he also looked quite able on the defensive end.  He has great timing on his help defense, and he has a great sense for transition passing.  He is supposed to have a propensity for scoring as well, but that wasn’t evident in this game… though you could tell he thought he should be able to score at will… and the announcers hyped him like that was to be expected.

He has great length, and is a good athlete who has developed a good mid-range jumper in the last year.  He also passes well in the half court set.  The knock on him has been his strength.  That will probably change as he matures.  His face-up game is far better than his block play at this point, so strength and technique will be priorities.

Update Feb. 24:  Collier and his St. Anthony teammates closed out the regular season with a 22-2 record and ranked #3 in the state of New Jersey.

Update Mar. 13:  After another brilliant run based on a hard-nosed defense,  St. Anthony lost a state championship game (Non-public B) for the first time since 1979.  It took triple overtime and a missed free throw for Trenton Catholic to upend the Friars 57-56.  Devon Collier ended his high school career with a 12-10 night,  and the whole of the Friars’ team contributed in the game.  Trenton Catholic moves on to the semi’s in New Jersey’s Tournament of Champions.  Congratulations to St. Anthony basketball for another fine season.

Note:  PBS will air a film about Bob Hurley and St. Anthony entitled The Street Stops Here on Mar. 31.  You can probably find it elsewhere.  I believe it’s available via retail outlets already.  But it gives some insight into what a school like St. Anthony goes through year in/year out and the service those people provide.

Update May 24:  Devon earned the 2010 iS8 Nike Spring Classic MVP honors in South Jamaica, NY, over the weekend.