LOCAL COLLEGE: Prep grad Collins will transfer to Columbia
May 16—Being part of a very successful basketball program was just part of the deal.
For Scranton Prep graduate Cecelia Collins, her decision to transfer to Columbia University was built on more than the Lions' 28-6 record and WNIT runner-up finish this year.
The former Class 4A all-state performer and two-time second-team All-Patriot League selection announced her decision Monday after entering the transfer portal March 24 after her sophomore season at Bucknell University.
"She (Megan Griffith) really turned that (Columbia) program around," Collins said. "She's just a really good coach and the way she values relationships and getting to know people was important to me.
"It felt like the right fit. It's been a long process and I think relationships matter a lot to me, and it's a strong one there. I think I can become the best person and player I can be."
Collins led Bucknell in scoring (14.1 ppg) and minutes (33.3), playing 22 games, missing seven with a lower leg injury.
"It came down to what I thought felt good," Collins said. "I weighed the pros and cons, and had some really good choices. At the same time, I didn't go into the portal just to go to a Power 5 conference, just to find the best place for me."
The 6-footer made visits to Penn State, Richmond, Boston College and Fairfield before choosing New York City.
"The city itself is just amazing," Collins said. "I do like that they have a campus. My sister (Catie) played soccer at NYU so that's an added bonus. I'm comfortable with the city, but getting out of my comfort zone a little bit is going to help me grow."
Collins will join a program that plays a similar style to that of Scranton Prep, which she helped lead to the state semifinals in 2021.
"It's a free flowing system," Collins said. "They play faster. They had some athletic players. It's like Prep with the kind of aggressive defense they play, forcing turnovers, throwing the ball ahead and just scoring quick."
That style led the Lions to a school record for wins, a share for first in the Ivy League regular season, and after an overtime loss in the conference semifinals, a berth in the WNIT, where they became the first Ivy League school to get past the quarterfinals, losing at Kansas, 66-59, in the title game.
"They definitely had a good run this year," Collins said. "They stressed to me that they want to make the NCAAs. As proud as they are with this year, they're not satisfied and that was really appealing to me."
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