Isaiah Collier impresses at McDonalds’ All-American Game workouts

If you talk to college basketball industry insiders, the people who spend all 12 months a year studying players and following the pipeline from high school to the college game, many of them will tell you that the McDonald’s All-American Game workouts and practices are more revealing and interesting than the actual game. The workouts are closely observed by evaluators and experts. The game is hardly irrelevant, but it can easily devolve into an exhibition-style display one might associate with the NBA All-Star Game. The workouts are more serious than the game, which is a time to have fun in front of the cameras on television.

The consensus view from onlookers at McDonald’s All-American Game workouts is that incoming USC Trojan guard Isaiah Collier, the No. 1-ranked recruit in the country, is living up to the advance billing. He might not be exceeding the hype, but he definitely isn’t disappointing. The more people see him, the more he comes across as the real deal. That’s what USC is looking for.

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If Collier really is as good as advertised — if he can meet the expectations placed upon him — USC has wing and frontcourt depth with a bunch of young players poised to make notable improvements. Having the elite point guard the program has lacked since Jordan McLaughlin several years ago gives the Trojans one of their most complete rosters in recent memory. They won’t have Evan Mobley, but they will have a floor general who can give the Men of Troy one of their best offenses in school history.

It’s a great time to be a fan of USC basketball.