2028 Five-Star MJ Collins Seeing Recruitment Take Off as Contact Period Opens

The June contact period has officially opened for the class of 2028, and few prospects in the country have generated more early momentum than five-star wing Mason “MJ” Collins. One of the premier talents in the sophomore class, Collins has quickly become a national recruiting priority as high-major programs race to establish relationships with one of the most versatile players in the country.

Over the past several months, Collins has added scholarship offers from Georgetown, South Carolina, Villanova, Virginia, NC State, Florida State, and Notre Dame, with additional blue-blood programs continuing to monitor his development closely. His recruitment is still in its early stages, but the foundation is already in place for what could become one of the most closely followed recruitments in the 2028 cycle.

Why Coaches Are Prioritizing Collins

What immediately stands out about Collins is his feel for the game. Rather than relying solely on athleticism, he consistently makes advanced reads, understands spacing, and impacts the game in multiple ways. His basketball IQ has become one of the defining traits of his game and is frequently cited as the biggest reason evaluators are so high on his long-term potential.

Breaking Down His Game

Elite Basketball IQ

Collins processes the game at an advanced level for his age. Whether operating in transition, attacking closeouts, or creating opportunities for teammates, he routinely makes the correct play. His decision-making allows him to contribute as both a scorer and facilitator, making him a difficult matchup for opposing defenses. 

Versatile Offensive Skill Set

Unlike many young wings who are limited to one role, Collins can impact the game in a variety of ways. He is comfortable handling the ball, initiating offense, and creating out of ball screens. Over the last year, his ball-handling ability has improved significantly, allowing him to operate more like a big guard than a traditional forward. 

His size gives him the ability to see over defenses, while his developing perimeter shot forces defenders to respect him away from the basket. When defenders close out aggressively, he has the skill to put the ball on the floor and create for himself or teammates.

Two-Way Impact

Collins' versatility extends to the defensive end. He has the length and instincts to defend multiple positions, contest shots around the rim, and create turnovers. During the 2025-26 high school season, he stuffed the stat sheet across every major category, averaging nearly 19 points, 13 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 3.4 blocks, and 3.2 steals per game. Those numbers illustrate just how complete his game already is at a young age.

USA Basketball Experience

Collins further elevated his profile through his participation with Team USA's U16 program, where he showcased his ability against elite international competition. Playing alongside some of the country's top young prospects, he demonstrated that his skill set translates against high-level talent and proved he belongs among the nation's elite.

Family Pedigree Plays a Role

Basketball runs deep in the Collins family.

His father, Mardy Collins, starred at Temple before becoming an NBA first-round draft pick and now coaches him at The Tatnall School. His mother, Ariana Moore Collins, also played at Temple and currently works on Dawn Staley's staff at South Carolina. Growing up around high-level basketball has helped accelerate Collins' understanding of the game and given him a unique perspective on player development.

Recruiting Breakdown

South Carolina was among the first major programs to offer and naturally has strong connections through his mother's role within the Gamecock program. Virginia also moved early, while Villanova quickly entered the picture after hosting Collins on campus. NC State joined the mix this spring, and additional offers from Florida State, Georgetown, and Notre Dame have expanded an already impressive list.

Several other national programs, including Duke, Syracuse, Clemson, and others, have maintained contact and continue evaluating him as his game develops. Given his trajectory, it would not be surprising to see additional blue-blood programs become heavily involved over the next year.

At this stage, the recruitment remains wide open. The contact period gives coaching staffs an opportunity to begin building stronger relationships, and for Collins, the coming months will likely bring an even larger wave of scholarship offers.

Outlook

It's rare to find a prospect with Collins' combination of size, feel, versatility, and long-term upside. He impacts winning without needing the ball in his hands every possession, yet possesses the skill set to take over games when necessary. As he continues to develop physically and refine his perimeter game, there is every reason to believe he will remain firmly in the conversation as one of the premier prospects in the 2028 class.

With Georgetown, South Carolina, Villanova, Virginia, NC State, Florida State, and Notre Dame already on board, and more programs expected to follow, the race for MJ Collins is only beginning.

Written by Alex Karamanos | June 18, 2026