Clemson Basketball: One Play Shouldn’t Define David Collins’ Career

Duke whipped Clemson on the hardwood on Thursday night 82-64, in a game that at times, didn’t even feel that close.

However, for as well as the Blue Devils played, the story of the game was the horrific foul by David Collins on Wendell Moore Jr.

Clemson’s David Collins with the dangerous foul on Duke’s Wendell Moore Jr. pic.twitter.com/V8D0l8HaJM
— Main Team (@MainTeamSports2) February 11, 2022

Call it dirty, bush league, or whatever. It all fits. But should it define who Collins is as a player?

After his ejection, the graduate transfer from USF immediately took to social media to apologize for his actions.

Clemson’s David Collins posts apology on his IG story for his foul on Wendell Moore pic.twitter.com/xVPpc89UWC
— Jamie Shaw (@JamieShaw5) February 11, 2022

After the loss, head coach Brad Brownell weighed in on the situation.

“Obviously want to apologize for what happened with that, David feels terrible,” Brownell said. “Glad that Wendell’s fine and that’s the last thing that we want to have happen in a game like this. But again, give them credit.”

“Obviously, we take a lot of pride in how we do things in our program, from how we play to who we are on and off the court. He’s a very competitive player. And I think he thought he got fouled on the on the play down there. And so he’s fighting like crazy to get back into play and then he makes the wrong play.”

Collins has been one of Clemson’s most productive players this season, averaging 11 points per game, good for third on the team. His 6.9 rebounds per game lead the team.

“I don’t want that to be the story of the game,” Brownell said. “The story of the game should be how well Duke played. Duke played very well. Their kids deserve credit for their execution and preparation. And all their hard work and in a tough environment. They came in and played very good basketball, and pulled away from us in the last 10 minutes.”

He has been a great addition to the program. He’s been suspended for one game by the ACC for the play. Hopefully, one momentary lapse in judgement won’t define his time at Clemson. It certainly shouldn’t.