Collins Onyejiaka
C, 6’10” (270)
ESPN 100 (94), 4-Star No. 19 C
Nate Oats has taken a shine to Northern big men of late. And, that’s fair — the Big 10 and Big East consistently produce the nation’s best front courts: Physical, skilled, bruising. When you play a team from the North, pack a lunch and some ice packs. It’s going to be tough sledding inside the lane.
Meet the next one, as the Tide hauled in 4-star Collins Onyejiaka last night out of the Massachusetts Newman School. Originally on-track for NSD ‘26, Collins will be reclassifying and entering this year, bolstering what is suddenly a very deep ‘Bama post presence.
If you’re looking for a fluid smooth offense, Onyejiaka isn’t your guy. If you want a step-out big who can shoot a respectable bit from the perimeter, look elsewhere. If you need a long athlete who can play 15-feet away from the basket, then Collins isn’t him.
If you want a massive post presence who is a punishing rebounder, finishes plays around the rim, and generally makes life hell on the blocks, then congratulations: You found your man. And that’s what Collins brings to the floor.
After years of getting pushed around in the paint, and perhaps looking ahead to the SEC’s existential threat in Gainesville, the Tide have gone shopping for the Florida Solution. In Onyejiaka ‘Bama has perhaps finally found a true specialist who can give the Tide steady interior minutes, clean up misses for easy baskets, and absolutely hammer the glass…and opposing players.
Coming in at 6’10 and a mammoth 270 pounds, he does all the things you’d expect at that size. He’s a great rebounder with tremendously strong hands. He swats balls. He’s great on the boards on both ends. But, he does have some athleticism too — Onyejiaka has a sweet hook from either hand within six feet of the rim, and he uses surprising body control to go after rebounds in traffic and finish at the hoop. That body control is especially evident in that he is able to be an adroit defender without drawing many fouls — he’s a position player with size.
Collins isn’t the sort of player that is ever going to be a star. He won’t light up the scoreboard or flirt with triple-doubles. He’s not destined for the NBA Lottery. He is a specialist, but it is a specialty Alabama has been lacking. And with his intimidating presence, thunder dunks, and the ability to make short work of penetrating defenders, you can see how he will become a fan favorite. He will almost certainly be an analytical darling despite the box scores — just as Cliff was. What he can do to make everyone better around him is the point, not mere numbers at the scorers table.
Welcome to Tuscaloosa, Collins
Roll Tide
Poll
Is Alabama’s frontcourt now better than its backcourt?
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12%
Never thought I’d say this, but yes
(9 votes)
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32%
No. The guards and wings are still better
(23 votes)
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51%
They’re both awesome! WHOOOO!! Cut ‘em down #BOG
(36 votes)
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2%
I’m a hater. I still have a lot of questions about both.
(2 votes)
70 votes total
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