The 2024 off-season could easily be the most somber break for the Dub Nation. As the core team continued to grow old with each passing season, the team lost its ace shooter Klay Thompson after 13 years of service. Even though the front office tried to balance it out with multiple trades, it didn’t move the needle for the fans. However, with only days left for the season opener, the team roped in Yuri Collins, a 23-year-old guard from St.Louis.

Notably, Collins has been around the Golden State Warriors fold over the last few years, including its G League affiliate, Santa Cruz Warriors. In fact, the star almost made it to the roster in 2023, before the team waived him before the start of the season. Nevertheless, that doesn’t define the talent that the Missouri native would bring to the team in the upcoming season. Let’s take a closer look at the rising star’s balling history.

Before that, let’s break the Yuri Collins’ latest signing with the Warriors. According to Keith Smith, a well-known NBA Insider, the Bay Area team has signed a training camp deal with Collins.

As per this deal, the rising star would train with the Warriors roster ahead of the pre-season and regular season games. If Collins could impress the management, and extend his stay over 60 days, then he could bag a $77.5 bonus. Or maybe even a two-way contract, where he can return to the G-League side.

As Yuri Collins believes in taking off further, let’s look at his journey so far

Before reaching San Francisco, Yuri Collins never really moved around the country. “I kind of never left home,” said the St. Louis native, who went to school and college in the same city. Importantly, he never really needed to leave his city, as it had everything to make him the baller that he is now. A loving grandfather who inspired him to play the game in the backyard every day after school.

Collins picked up the ball very early in life and never dropped it since then. In an introductory video released ahead of the Warriors’ 2023 season, he added, “Probably around 7th or 8th grade is when I really started to take the game seriously and knew this is what I wanted to do in my life.” 

The rising star went to St. Mary’s High School and put up impressive shows on a consistent basis. He finished his senior year, averaging  22.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game. Moreover, this stellar showcase fetched him a call-up from Saint Louis Billikens. He played all four seasons and averaged 8.6 ppg in 116 games.

Following the sophomore year run, Collins declared for the 2022 NBA Draft, but later withdrew it and continued his senior year. Importantly, this is the part where the rising star grew his basketball, turning into a traditional point guard. The 6-foot guard not only dished out consistent assists but also improved his scoring.

In his senior year, he came out of his collegiate career with a recording-breaking performance, dishing out 20 assists in a single game. It was the most ever made in his school and 4th best in the Division 1.

Yuri Collins’ professional journey

Following his college career, Collins declared for the 2023 NBA draft and unfortunately went unpicked. Months later, the Dubs signed in him in October, only to waive him days before the start of the season. However, he went on to play for the Santa Cruz Warriors, where he averaged 3.6 pts in his 16-odd minute stay on the court out of 16 appearances.

Now, the team has again called him up for the training camp. Even if he impresses the selectors and makes it to the roster. It would be hard for Collins to stand out from the rest of the guards. To even make a reasonable appearance, Collins has to outperform De’Anthony Melton, Buddy Hield, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, and several others. Do you think Yuri Collins will make a difference in the Dubs roster? Let us know in the comments.

Before leaving, do watch the Dual Threat Show hosted by BG12 where Bulldogs’ Asia Avinger details her experience with Kobe Bryant, her WNBA ROTY picks, and more in the video below.