High school basketball: Collinsworth is state's top recruit
PROVO — Even though he's only 17 and has another year of high school ahead, Provo High's Kyle Collinsworth is savvy enough to know where he ranks as a basketball player.
Any doubt has been removed this summer as he's participated in several high-profile camps around the country and will participate in several more. Also, the invitations coming in from many of the nation's top college basketball programs to visit their campuses this fall is certainly serving as reinforcement.
Through it all, however, Collinsworth is learning that as good as his basketball skills are, there's still plenty of room for improvement. And if he can hone and improve on a few more skills, the basketball opportunities that lie ahead are what every young basketball star dreams of.
"I've had some great once-in-a-lifetime experiences this summer, and it's been great at getting my name out there and showing me what I need to get done," Collinsworth said.
Early last month the 2008-09 Deseret News 4A MVP, who averaged 19 points, seven assists and six rebounds for the Bulldogs last season, attended the University of Kansas elite camp. On his way to Kansas he also made a stop at Arizona State to check things out there. Earlier this summer he attended the Utah State camp, and last week he joined his Provo High teammates at BYU's team camp.
But the most prestigious trip of all came two weeks ago when he spent four days at the NBA Top 100 camp at the University of Virginia, where NBA officials and former NBA players taught the nation's top high school players not only how to improve their basketball skills, but how to behave off the court as well. Collinsworth was coached at the invitation-only camp by former Detroit Piston guard Lindsey Hunter.
"That camp opened up my mind and showed me what my strengths are and what my weaknesses are and what I need to get better at because I was playing against the best players in the country, the same players I'm going to see at the college level," Collinsworth said. "Some of these guys are going to be the future players in the NBA, so now I know a little about the kind of game I need to have to be successful at the college level and maybe beyond that."
Collinsworth, the leading candidate for next season's Utah Mr. Basketball, is clearly the state's top prep recruit right now.
ESPN Insider rates him as an "immediate impact player" and he's listed in Scout.com's top 100.
Recent comments
Just so you know Kansas is one of the top 5 basketball schools in the...
RE: Gretzky | Nov. 10, 2009 at 11:01 a.m.
Not to rain on the parade, but has anyone heard about Jan Hamson and...
Jen Hamson | Aug. 6, 2009 at 6:25 p.m.
Although it would be nice to be in the comforts of home and Utah, you...
Dear Kyle | Aug. 6, 2009 at 6:21 p.m.
- Tiger opens with a 66 in Australia 1:18 a.m.
- Crash kills Utah County man 1:12 a.m.
- UCAT cheaper education option 1:12 a.m.
- Post office to be named for Rex Lee 1:11 a.m.
- Police probe synagogue vandalism 1:09 a.m.
- New charges added in fraud case 1:09 a.m.
- Mom takes plea deal in girl's beating 1:08 a.m.
- Drug trafficking operation busted 1:07 a.m.
- News yule writing contest starting up 12:59 a.m.
- Alpine District school honored 12:59 a.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
- Utah Jazz have a problem at point
- 'Love story' of crash victim ends
- BYU football recruit turning heads
- Alta's Ohai is Ms. Soccer 2009
- Prep football: Felt's Facts Week
- 12 Utes return to Texas
- Cougars' defensive hoops clinic
- Wyoming writer amazed by BYU
- Civilians help S.L. officer make arrest
- House passes health care bill
287 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies
242 - TCU showdown has big implications
193 - Senators want food tax restored
157 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
109 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
101 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
91
Utah State hoops coach Stew Morrill took a few minutes to talk about Weber
Was Kanye invited to this event?
It's a lot of hard work but worth it, like anything else, if you're willing...
I have watched the exhibition games and I have noticed a slimmer JT. He looks...
I am a life long BYU fan and I must say ya it's hurt pretty bad this season,...
Upset of the Year! Wasps 42 JD 35
Some of you are crazy - what's this crush with the Mountain West Conference?...
I have been anticipating this game for weeks. This is as good as it...
I have enjoyed these stars in other films and was looking forward to an...
The pressure isn't on Utah, it's on TCU. Tcu has nothing to gain by beating...
Where are you getting your information about the 23 players that played...

