By Nina Hutchins
Christian Collins is living proof that hard work pays off, and that setbacks do not determine outcomes.
With a knee injury looming over the start of his high school career, Collins was unsure of his future playing the sport he had loved for years. Yet, his physical and mental toughness shaped a recovery that catapulted his game from the junior varsity level to national recognition as a 5-star recruit.
Landing on the JV team at Saint Bernard’s High School freshman year was a difficult reminder to Collins that recovery is a long road. For Collins, it was motivation, not limitation. Confident in his potential, he committed himself to returning to the trajectory he was on before the injury.
“Being on JV, it hurt.” Collins said. “It was hard, so I was just working on myself.”
That same persistence carried him to the varsity level for his sophomore season before deciding to transfer to St. John’s Bosco. This new program offered a unique opportunity for Collins to play at an even higher level.
The work paid off.
Now, wearing number 11 for St. John’s Bosco, Collins has become one of the most dominant players in the country. Averaging 25.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per game so far during his senior season, Collins is the No. 8 recruit of the 2026 class and holds scholarship offers from powerhouse institutions including Kentucky, UCLA and USC, among others.
“I feel I can be the best player in the country,” Collins said. “I have the tools for it, I have the heart for it, I have the work ethic. Every time I play, I evolve…every time people see me play, it’s always something different. So I’m always adding to my game, and I’m always researching. I really love what I do, so I just keep going for that.”
Collins’ growth has been just as evident beyond the stat sheet. His leadership has set the tone for his team both on and off the court.
“I think Christian is an incredible leader. He’s just such a great teammate,” said head coach Matt Dunn. “He truly is happy for his teammates’ success.”
With national attention comes pressure – something Dunn believes Collins has handled with grace and maturity.
“I’m so proud of how he’s handled it. I’m proud of him that he hasn’t changed.” said Dunn. “He’s still the same guy around campus. He’s still the same humble, hard working guy, and you can’t say that about too many kids in today’s day and age.”
St. John’s Bosco won the CIF Division I State Championships in 2024, its first in a decade. Now, they hope to do it again with some guidance from their star forward.
For Collins, his accomplishments and national rankings are part of a much bigger story. One defined by resilience, uncertainty and humility. As he wraps up his final months of his high school career, Collins looks to carry those lessons forward, using his versatility, character and knowledge of the game to make an immediate collegiate impact.
Photo courtesy of Shane Baran/The Student