PG Frankie Collins Joins TCU After ASU Stint

In a move that will pit him against his former team next season, defensive stalwart Frankie Collins has decided to take his talents to TCU after spending the last two years starring for Arizona State.

The point guard announced his commitment to the Horned Frogs on Saturday via social media, bringing an end to his eventful stint in Tempe. Collins had narrowed his choices down to TCU, California, Florida, San Diego State, and SMU, while also considering a return to ASU.

His decision sets up an intriguing reunion when the Sun Devils begin their inaugural Big 12 campaign in 2024-25 after leaving the Pac-12. ASU and TCU faced off in non-conference play this past season, with the Horned Frogs prevailing 79-59 in a game where Collins managed just 5 points.

The 6'1" guard will be remembered fondly by ASU fans for his incredible 2022-23 season that saw him rack up 84 steals, obliterating the program’s long-standing single-season record of 76 set by Fat Lever back in 1983. Collins’ theft artistry ranked first in the Pac-12 and in the upper echelon nationally in both total steals and per-game average.

His defensive prowess earned him First Team All-Pac-12 Defensive honors, complementing an all-around game that also featured 13.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per contest. After averaging 9.7 points as a sophomore, the Newark native took a major leap in his junior year, scoring 20+ points four times with a season-high 25 at California.

Collins’ departure is part of a substantial roster shakeup for ASU following a disappointing 14-18 campaign in Bobby Hurley’s eighth season at the helm. He is one of six Sun Devils to enter the transfer portal, joining the likes of Devan Cambridge, who recently committed to returning to former school Texas Tech after a torn ACL cut short his lone ASU season.

At TCU, Collins inherits a program looking to build on an impressive 22-win season and NCAA Tournament appearance under Jamie Dixon. His defensive intensity and disruptive abilities should blend well with the Horned Frogs’ up-tempo, pressure-based system.

While it’s never easy seeing a star player depart, ASU fans can take solace knowing they’ll get an up-close look at Collins’ return to the desert hardwood next year. The revenge narrative adds extra spice to the impending Big 12 battles between the former teammates turned foes.