The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1371232
JUNE/JULY 2021 THE WOLVERINE 29 2021 BASKETBALL RECRUITING ISSUE four pictures. When he saw them, he was like, 'Oh, wow!' That made him want me even more. "One time I had been playing against [Juwan's son and U-M fresh- man] Jace at a camp and saw him. After that, I saw him when we went to visit the Miami Heat facility my sophomore year. He was just walking the hall, and I took another picture with him. That time he remembered me." The relationship has only strength- ened since. When they talk, Collins said, they discuss just about every- thing but basketball — their days, families and life. Collins talks to Jace Howard just about every day, to the point that Howard said he felt like it was "meant to be" that he'd coach Collins. "He just really a good dude. He al- ways kept it real, and I just liked how he wants to always get better and always wants to win," Collins said. "He was telling me how he thought God sent me on purpose because of the number of times we saw each other. Now he's coaching and he's recruiting me. "He just really talks about grow- ing, making sure I'm coming in ready to lead a team and being prepared … basically, being myself and just get- ting better each and every day." But Howard and Co. have ex- tremely high expectations for a guard many feel is underrated. The 6-1, 175-pounder is the ultimate down- hill guard, unbelievable with the ball in his hands and an incredible passer and finisher. His shot is a work in progress — he's got great form, but he's so good with the ball and as a set-up man that he doesn't take many triples — and he's got great potential as a defender. While Howard will get to the bas- ketball side of things in his talks with his future point guard, assistant Saddi Washington is already there. "He doesn't play," Collins said with a laugh. "After watching me, he's making sure I didn't take any plays off defensively and doing what I was supposed to do because in the Big Ten, you can't take plays off on defense." As for the shooting … that will come, assistant Phil Martelli said. Collins cares too much about the game to allow one aspect to slow his progress. "There's just a real joy in the way he plays," Martelli said. "I think playing with him is going to be joyful for the other guys. One of the things that happens in high school and the summer club settings, everybody drops their head and goes downhill. Kids look at scouting reports and say, 'I know what I've got to answer in that scouting report.' "But look at [former U-M point guard] Zavier Simpson. He was 24 percent [from three-point range] as a freshman and was up to 35 or 36 as a senior because of the skill develop- ment. We know Frankie is very dedi- cated to skill development." Case in point — his unbelievable hops. Just about every highlight reel in which he's featured includes him finishing with authority and a nasty dunk, head at the rim. Though he was gifted with great genes, that didn't happen by acci- dent. "I had to work for that," he in- sisted. "A lot of strength work for that — calf work, squats, deadlifts. There was really a lot of stretching I did, and a lot of hip work to open up my hips." He's working hard on his shot, too, and his passing — always his pass- ing. He understands he's coming to a loaded team with great shooters, and he wants to do his part from day one. If that's as a starter, great. If he comes off the bench, so be it. "I see it as an opportunity," he said. "Nothing is going to be handed to me. I'll just come in with a chip on my shoulder and compete in prac- tice, compete and get better. "Hopefully … if I start, that's good. If not, I'm going to do whatever it takes to help the team win." In that way and so many others, he's yet another perfect fit for the culture Howard and his staff have continued to promote. ❑ Collins "Nothing is going to be handed to me. I'll just come in with a chip on my shoulder and compete in practice, compete and get better. … If I start, that's good. If not, I'm going to do whatever it takes to help the team win." Assistant coach Phil Martelli noted Collins is similar to former U-M point guard standout Zavier Simpson and "has that edge to him." PHOTO BY NICK LUCERO/COURTESY RIVALS.COM