SPRINGFIELD – Attention has arrived fast and furious for Christian Collins.

Between early September and late October of 2024, he received 10 formal offers – seven of which from major Division I programs. Kansas, Alabama and UCLA were just some of them.

“This is all brand new for him,” said coach Matt Dunn. “It’s crazy that these stories don’t happen every year.”

Plenty of eyes were on the junior forward in a packed gym Saturday. Many searched for flashes of what has made him one of the recruiting trail’s rapid risers.

Collins took to the hardwood for St. John Bosco of California (18-3) on Saturday, opposing Paul VI of Virginia (13-3) in Springfield College’s Blake Arena at the Hoophall Classic. In what became a 60-57 loss for the Braves, ESPN’s No. 8 recruit in the Class of 2026 put up 12 points on 4-for-14 shooting, along with a game-high 11 rebounds.

It wasn’t pretty, but those buckets were critical in the one-possession outcome. And he became the very center of attention with the game on the line.

The Panthers clung to a 58-57 lead as junior guard Jordan Smith Jr. stood at the peak of the arc, dribbling out the shot clock with less than a minute remaining. With five seconds left to get a shot off, he extended for a long 2-pointer, seeking contact that could warrant a foul call.

He got precisely that. Collins incurred a whistle with his defending attempt, sending himself to the bench for good with a fifth and final personal foul. Smith would go to the line and sink both free throws, sealing the deal for Paul VI.

“I try my best to keep my hands up, just don’t foul, but I make a mistake and step too close,” Collins said.

Regardless of a forgettable final touch on Saturday’s affair, Collins has thrived this season, recently ranked as high as No. 2 in his class by On3. He’s demonstrated versatile scoring ability – buoyed by quality athleticism and length – and at 200 pounds for a 6-foot-8 power forward, is still gaining strength.

A recent boost in responsibility has reaped reward. Brandon McCoy Jr., the Braves’ typical top option at No. 2 in the Class of 2026, has been recovering from a leg injury for over a month.

“Everybody on the team had to step up, and that’s what we’ve been doing,” Collins said. “I have to make better decisions, knowing I have a bigger role now. And it’s on a bigger platform, bigger stage that we’re playing on.”

The developing forward jumped to five-star status back in the fall, and since weathering the onslaught of offers, leads St. John Bosco in total points and rebounds this season with 176 and 134, respectively.

Kentucky, Duke and Arkansas were the first three that came to mind Saturday in terms of schools that have been recruiting him the hardest lately. He also added that his timeline is still fluid – thinking of taking his first official visits after AAU season, but planning on discussing that with his parents first.

It’s a lot of attention to process. Rather suddenly, at that.

“Both as a player and with his learning on the court, he’s still just scratching the surface, and I think the same thing applies to recruiting,” Dunn said. “It’s fun to figure out, but it’s also a lot to figure out at the same time.”

The remainder of the CIF regular season is right around the corner. St. John Bosco wraps up with seven more battles between Jan. 20 and Feb. 4, including a rematch against the Mater Dei squad that dealt it a rare defeat back on Jan. 10.

That latter stretch will demand Collins’ focus – a time when college thoughts will take a backseat.

As is it stands, he’s not stressing the hype.

“I really try not to pay attention to it, but I feel like I have a lot to improve on,” Collins said. “Especially by decisions I make.”