Coach Calipari and the Kentucky program may be the real reason Daimion Collins ended up here in Lexington, but as they say, everything happens for a reason, and it turns out Lexington, the Horse Capital of the World, couldn’t be a better fit for this particular Texan.
Collins is a horseman. You probably won’t catch him at the Kentucky Horse Park jumping obstacles, or confined to an arena, his vibe is more Yellowstone and Old Town Road.
I’m willing to bet the skills and life lessons honed in the barn are a large part of what make him, not just such a great basketball player right now, but also such an impressive young man overall, and a team player.
For obvious reasons, Collins hasn’t spent much time in the saddle since coming to college, but he does ride when he goes home.
Collins acknowledges though, that horses are therapeutic, and a big part of his life. He tells me he’ll always have horses and that he dreams of having his own barn once he settles down, and that although he doesn’t envision staying in Kentucky forever but he may take a little bit of the Bluegrass with him by purchasing his own horse someday.
I’m no basketball scout but I’ve picked out some good horses in my time, and I’d for sure back him all the way.
