Collin Paul
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Scout Report
When you see a 6-7 wing who can handle the ball like a guard and has the court vision to find teammates in tight spaces, you stop what you're doing and watch. That's exactly what happens when Collin Paul touches the basketball at Calvary Christian Academy.
Background
Paul grew up in West Palm Beach, Florida, where basketball runs deep in the community and the competition never stops. Calvary Christian Academy has become his proving ground, a program known for developing college-ready talent. Playing alongside Shon Abaev, the #20 player in the 2025 class who's headed to Cincinnati, Paul has had to earn his stripes against elite competition daily. The environment at Calvary has pushed him to develop his game beyond just his natural size advantage, forcing him to become a more complete player.
Playing Style
Paul plays the game with an advanced understanding of spacing and timing that you rarely see from players his age. He operates at his own pace, never rushed, always scanning for the best option whether that's attacking the rim or finding an open teammate. His decision-making in transition is particularly impressive - he knows when to push the tempo and when to slow things down to set up the offense. Defensively, he uses his length and mobility to disrupt passing lanes and contest shots without fouling. Paul doesn't hunt for his own shot, but when the offense breaks down, he has the skill set to create something out of nothing. His basketball IQ shows up most in how he moves without the ball, constantly putting himself in position to help his team succeed.
Strengths
That 6-7 frame combined with legitimate guard skills is what separates Paul from other forwards in his class. His handle is tight enough to bring the ball up the court against pressure, and his passing vision allows him to thread balls into spaces that smaller guards can't see over defenders. Paul shoots the ball with consistent mechanics from beyond the arc, though he's selective about when he lets it fly. His length on defense creates problems for opposing offenses, especially when he's switched onto smaller players who can't see over his outstretched arms.
Areas to Watch
Adding more strength to his frame would help Paul finish through contact around the rim and hold his ground against physical forwards. His shot selection, while generally good, could become even more efficient as he learns to pick his spots against different defensive schemes. Developing a more aggressive mindset on offense could unlock another level - he sometimes defers when he should be looking to take over possessions.
Player Comparison
Paul reminds me of a young Kyle Anderson in how he plays the game - that same deliberate pace, excellent court vision, and ability to impact winning without dominating the stat sheet. Both players have that rare combination of size and basketball IQ that makes them incredibly valuable even when they're not scoring. The way Paul processes the game and makes the right play consistently mirrors Anderson's approach during his college days at UCLA.
Recruitment
Paul locked in his commitment to Florida State, choosing the Seminoles over a solid group that included Georgia Tech, Iowa State, Mississippi State, Miami, and TCU. Leonard Hamilton's program has a strong track record of developing versatile forwards who can play multiple positions, which makes this a natural fit for Paul's skill set. The early commitment gives him time to focus on his development without the distraction of recruiting calls. FSU beat out some quality programs for his signature, showing they view him as a priority piece for their 2026 class.
Projection
Paul projects as a versatile role player at the college level who could develop into a consistent starter by his sophomore or junior season. His combination of size, skill, and basketball IQ suggests he'll find ways to contribute even as he adjusts to the speed and physicality of college basketball. Professional opportunities will depend on how much he can improve his shooting consistency and overall aggressiveness, but his foundation is solid enough to warrant attention from overseas leagues at minimum.
Updated May 2, 2026 · Analysis by PrepRadar Scouting Team
Career Journey
Florida State
COLLEGE
Calvary Christian Academy
PREP SCHOOL
Offers
6
Florida State
Signed
Chose Florida State over 5 other offers
Georgia Tech
Iowa State
Mississippi State
Miami
TCUOffers sourced from 247Sports and social media monitoring.
Social Activity
OTR Hoops: City of Palms Classic Players to Watch (Part 3) @FAQ2026 @Johnnylackaff 📸 @Jomar_Bernard9 @HerlyBrutus @big_game_collin @CityOfPalmsBKB @cityofpalms1 READ: https://t.co/DJr4RF38Uc https://t.co/VRoOPLuk3Z
Congratulations on your ranking and accomplishment as a team. Way to give it your all. #WAWG #SOHboys @UANextBHoops @TheCircuit https://t.co/DDjIljGaOz
What a summer it has been for #FSU, now holding the No. 1 recruiting class for 2026 so far. #PhenomHoops 2026 6’11 Marcis Ponder – Top 75 2026 6’7 Collin Paul – Top 100 2026 6’4 Brandon Bass Jr. – Top 100 2026 5’10 Jasen Lopez – Top 150 Read about each ⬇️ https://t.co/iT9jZD9zdb
Florida State just got them a heck of talent and hard worker in Collin Paul (@big_game_collin). The 2026 6-7 Calvary Christian guard is a versatile floor spacer who can shoot, attack and dish with confidence.
Collin Paul been working for this moment… congratulations family 🤞 @big_game_collin https://x.com/OvertimeElite/status/1963589479588880538/video/1