Warriors to sign elite passer, former SLU star, Yuri Collins to 10-day contract
The Dubs are adding a 23-year old point guard with an impressive passing pedigree.
The Golden State Warriors are going to sign point guard Yuri Collins to a 10-day contract, according to a report by Ohm Youngmisuk and Shams Charania of ESPN. The Dubs are also signing wing Kevin Knox to reach the NBA minimum of 14 players under contract. Teams are allowed to drop below the minimum for up to two weeks. The Warriors dropped below the minimum following the Jimmy Butler trade.
While Knox is an experienced NBA journeyman and a former lottery pick, Collins has taken a far different path to the Dubs. Collins was a four-year starter at Saint Louis University, starting at point guard for the Billiken for his entire career. Collins led the A-10 in assists across his final three seasons in college, and led the entire NCAA in assists as a junior and senior. In his final collegiate season, Collins averaged 11.2 points, 10.1 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.6 turnovers per game on .442/.319/.735 shooting. He was arguably the best passer in college basketball.
Only 6’0 tall, Collins lack of size and shooting prowess was an uphill battle to his NBA prospects. After going undrafted, Collins joined the Warriors Summer League roster in 2023 and has remained with the organization since. Over the past two seasons, Collins has seen consistent playing time in the G-League with the Santa Cruz Warriors. After serving as the team’s backup point guard last season, Collins has emerged as the team’s starter in his second pro season.
Collins has appeared in 33 games with Santa Cruz this season, averaging 14.1 points, 9.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 4.1 turnovers in 32 minutes per game on .432/.272/.770 shooting. Collins has been steadily more productive as the season has gone on. In five February games, Collins has recorded 22.8 points, 10.0 assists, 5.6 rebounds, 1.0 steal, and 3.6 turnovers per game on a notably more efficient .453/.333/.867 triple-slash.