Junior guard Frankie Collins has become the face of Arizona State basketball after being a part of the program for just one season.
In the Sun Devils’ win over USC in Tempe on Saturday, Collins was the star and the leader he needed to be, rallying his teammates and the crowd behind him.
“I think he’s just at peace with himself and in a really good space with his confidence and his production,” ASU coach Bobby Hurley said. “The more you produce and play well, you have more ability to lead and people will listen to you more.”
The production has been crucial, as the guard has scored double-digit points in all but one game in the season on 45% shooting.
Despite falling to UCLA last Wednesday, the Sun Devils still have a chance to secure first place in the Pac-12 with a sweep of the Oregon schools during their upcoming road trip. The key to their success will be the thing that has become a staple of the program since Hurley took over: defense.
Collins’s defense has been the real rallying cry for the Sun Devils. Fresh off a six-steal effort against the Trojans, his confidence on the defensive end has sky-rocketed.
“I take pride in defending so when we go into our scouts, I always make sure I got the best player on the field just because I want to shut that person down,” he said.
He said has been forced to grow since arriving in Tempe. He was thrust into the starting point guard role with a veteran-laden lineup last season. On Tuesday, Collins celebrated his 22nd birthday.
“Mentally, I am at a level I’ve never been my whole life. Just positive and trying to take everything day by day,” he said.
The positivity is contagious. During the ugly, technical-foul-filled loss to UCLA, Collins made continual efforts to calm his teammates down, including surging junior forward Bryant Selebangue.
Since Collins pulled the Tulsa transfer to the side following a shoving match and technical foul, Selebangue has lifted his play to another level.
“He’s a great leader, he’s always going to tell you straight,” Selebangue said. “He might yell at you just to get that message across, but he cares, he’s someone who really cares a lot.”
Selebangue and other Devils’ big man sophomore Shawn Phillips Jr. face another daunting task in the form of senior center N’Faly Dante of Oregon on Wednesday night in Eugene.
“He’s long and athletic, but one thing I’ve always taken pride in is my speed and agility so if I’m able to take out his legs and if I’m able to just maneuver around him, that’s what I have over him,” Selebangue said.
Dante missed 14 games with a hamstring injury. After a slow returning debut, Dante exploded for 23 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two blocks in the Ducks’ Sunday loss to Utah.
At 13-5 overall and 5-2 in conference play, the Ducks are one of the Pac-12 best teams and will provide Arizona State with a fair measuring to stick to see how the Sun Devils will fair against the conference’s elite. The Ducks are also 9-0 at home, one of four Pac-12 teams undefeated on their home courts this season.
Hurley reiterated that his focus is on the game directly in front of his team. His Devils face Oregon State on Saturday, with the Beavers reeling after a 1-6 start to conference play.
The Sun Devils have found their leader and Hurley knows this. Now, the focus must be on execution if ASU wants to have a chance to control its destiny going through the rest of the season.
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