As a 6-foot-8, 215-pound point guard, Tennessee Prep Academy's Antavion Collum possesses the integral ingredients to create significant matchup issues.
Through the first string of games and following a commendable performance at The Memphis Classic, Collum is averaging 31 points and 15 boards. With his ability to permeate the teeth of defenses, deliver deft dishes and rebound as effectively as a true big, the Class of 2019 Collum is a constant double-double threat. Don't be surprised to see him pile up a few triple doubles either.
He's deadly for his multi-faceted capabilities.
Memphis, Maryland, Florida, Kansas State, Iowa State, Murray State, UT-Martin and a handful of others have plunked down an offer for the big guard.
Collum visited Murray State last week. The true draw of Collum's trade is his ability to hit difficult, heavily contested shots in traffic and simultaneously finish in crafty fashion.
He's developed a knack for angle bank shots. With the build of a wide receiver, he embraces the contact from rim protectors and can reel off points in a hurry at point-blank.
Should Collum develop into a knockdown threat, there could be limitless potential in his high-major stock.
In Tennessee Prep's loss to Believe Academy (TN) in the aforementioned Memphis Classic, the game's intriguing plot was an eyeball to eyeball duel between Collum and high-rising 6-foot-6 Believe guard Devan Cambridge.
Collum (27 points) and the hyper-athletic Cambridge (30 points) each turned in timely buckets in crunch time. With both players entrenched in a heated matchup, the level of play was amplified.
Freshmen transitioning to the rigors of college basketball often struggle with the physical demands required.
Given Collum's advanced strength and physicality applied in his confrontational defense, he'll likely circumvent the high school to NCAA growing pains prospects inevitably face.
As a sophomore, Collum played for former NBA player Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway at Memphis East. He spent time at Hardaway's house and even watched him as "Butch McCray" in the 1994 drama film Blue Chips, starring Nick Nolte and Shaq.
Collum has his own 1990s NBA ties. He is the cousin of legendary New York Knicks guard John Starks, a Madison Square Garden favorite lauded for his rugged style.