Andre Collins

Andre Collins
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Andre Collins will leave the University of Maryland and the Terrapins basketball program upon completion of the fall semester.Collins leaves in good academic standing, his decision was motivated by other factors.Crisfield High School's all-time leading scorer, Andre is used to being on the court.

Collins had significant minutes during his freshman year at Crisfield, averaging 7 points a game and was a starter from his sophomore season on.After leading the Crabbers to a state championship in his senior year, it was off to Hargrove Academy in Virginia.Collins started at the point, playing alongside other future Division One players.Collins was awarded a full scholarship to Maryland and was a member of the Terps' 2002 national championship team.

Collins did not see a lot of action during his freshman year, but this he understood, with NBA bound, Juan Dixon, Chris Wilcox, Steve Blake and Lonny Baxter leading the squad.What troubles him is the apparent lack of interest the UM coaching staff has expressed in him the past couple of seasons.It's apparent to most that Collins has been pushed aside in favor of some of the Terps' younger players.

Maryland Coach Gary Williams told the media in the preseason that Collins would have significant playing time this year.
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Collins did get some quality minutes against some of the Terps' smaller Division One foes such as American U., but when it came time to play top 20 ranked opponents Wisconsin and Gonzaga, Collins found himself back in a familiar spot.

Same old story

It was the same old story; Andre just never got the chance to prove himself during the crucial moments against top-notch opposition.

"He (Coach Williams), always told me that my time was coming, he's loyal to his players if they work hard and wait their turn," Collins said."I finished strong in the NCAA tournament last year and I thought finally my minutes were going to go up.But after the Wisconsin game (Collins played only six minutes), it kind of let me know where I stood.Every time we play a ranked team my minutes would be down."

Williams has not elaborated on the situation as of yet, only saying that Andre got caught up in the numbers game.During his freshman year the coaching staff complained about his weight and strength, so Collins worked hard all that summer to build himself up.Then it was his height, then it was his defense.Collins has worked hard in practice and performed on a par with all the other members of the Terrapins squad.In fact Williams said during his radio show on the night of Collins' announcement, that practice was the proving ground.If you did well in practice then you got your playing time, but it's pretty obvious that Williams was just not willing to give Andre the chance.

Wants a chance

Everybody that is close to Andre and really understands his drive and dedication to the game of basketball will also understand that all he wants is to get that chance to prove himself.Although he was the best player in the conference for most of his high school career, Andre was always the hardest worker in practice.
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"I probably wouldn't have come back this year if I had known what was going to happen," Collins said.It won't be an easy move, Collins leaves behind a lot of friends, he's been real close with his teammates over the years.Andre was popular on the campus and with Terps' fans.Several called in to express their concern that evening on Coach Williams' show, when they learned of his decision.Still Collins believes that this move will be the best for him.

I have a lot of good memories, Maryland's my heart.I played on a national championship, something that very few people have done.There are no hostilities; all of the staff and everybody will be helping me out to get me set up in a new school.I'm just not happy here I need to get that opportunity," Collins said.Following this week's final exams, Collins will be leaving the College Park Campus.Andre will take all the time he needs to find a favorable situation.