Florida State
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Scout Report
When a 6-7 forward commits to Florida State before his junior season even starts, you know coaches see something special. Collin Paul made that decision in a crowded recruiting market, turning down five other major programs to lock in with the Seminoles.
Background
West Palm Beach has always been a basketball hotbed, and Paul grew up in that competitive environment at Calvary Christian Academy. The program has become a pipeline for college talent, and Paul represents the next wave coming out of South Florida. Playing alongside Shon Abaev, the #20 player in the 2025 class who's headed to Cincinnati, Paul has been part of a program that consistently produces division one prospects. The daily competition in practice against elite-level talent has clearly accelerated his development.
Playing Style
Paul operates with the versatility that modern college programs crave in their forwards. He's comfortable handling the ball in transition and can initiate offense from the wing, showing good court vision for a player his size. Defensively, he has the length to switch across multiple positions and the lateral quickness to stay with guards on the perimeter. His decision-making has improved significantly over the past year, particularly in pick-and-roll situations where he's learned to read the defense and make the right play. Paul plays with controlled aggression, never forcing shots but staying assertive when opportunities present themselves. The motor runs consistently high on both ends, and he's developed into a reliable rebounder who can push the pace after defensive stops.
Strengths
The combination of size and skill set immediately jumps off the tape when evaluating Paul. He shoots the ball well from three-point range with consistent mechanics and good shot selection, making him a legitimate threat to stretch defenses. His passing ability for a forward stands out, particularly his willingness to move the ball quickly and find the open teammate. Paul has also shown impressive basketball IQ, rarely making the same mistake twice and understanding how to impact winning without needing the ball in his hands constantly.
Areas to Watch
Continued strength development will be crucial as Paul faces more physical competition at higher levels. His handle, while solid, could use refinement to fully unlock his potential as a mismatch creator against smaller defenders. Adding more consistency to his mid-range game would give him another weapon when defenses run him off the three-point line.
Player Comparison
Paul's game has similarities to former Duke forward Matt Jones in terms of size, shooting ability, and basketball intelligence. Both players understood how to play within a system while still making individual impact, and both possessed the versatility to guard multiple positions. The shooting stroke and court awareness are particularly comparable between the two.
Recruitment
Paul's early commitment to Florida State surprised some observers, given the level of programs pursuing him. Georgia Tech, Iowa State, Mississippi State, Miami, and TCU all extended offers, with Seton Hall jumping in just two days ago. The Seminoles clearly made Paul a priority, and he responded by shutting down his recruitment early. His relationship with the coaching staff and the program's track record of developing forwards likely played significant roles in the decision. The early commitment allows Paul to focus entirely on his development rather than the recruiting process.
Projection
Paul projects as a rotational player who could develop into a starter by his sophomore or junior season in college. His skill set translates well to the modern game, and programs value forwards who can shoot, pass, and defend multiple positions. Professional basketball remains a possibility if he continues developing his overall game, particularly his ability to create off the dribble and his defensive consistency against elite competition.
Updated Apr 1, 2026 · Analysis by PrepRadar Scouting Team
Career Journey
Florida State
COLLEGE
Calvary Christian Academy
PREP SCHOOL
Career Highlights
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