Completed Event: Women's Basketball versus San Diego State on February 4, 2026 , Win , 57, to, 44
W Basketball
vs San Diego State
W 57-44
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Photo by: Garrett Ohrenberg
Collins hears defensive calling, joins GCU
5/24/2022 8:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball, Paul Coro
Guard ranked 6th nationally among freshmen for points, steals last season
Little did Grand Canyon and women's basketball head coach Molly Miller know, but Aaliyah Collins did not think she could be playing for GCU next season even when she agreed to a recent campus visit.
Little did Collins know, the Lopes were an ideal match for her.
GCU will add last season's sixth-highest scoring freshman in the nation for next season with Collins, a defense-first player whose aggression and energy matches Miller's system. The Snohomish, Washington, native had seen GCU as a Chicago State outsider playing the Lopes but the transfer portal visit made the 5-foot-7 guard feel like an insider.
"I was not expecting to come to GCU," Collins said. "It was just so bright. The energy was so positive. Immediately, I was comfortable, and it brought out the energetic and happy side of me. I need energy around me because that helps me perform better. I fell in love with the coaches and the campus is so vibrant."
Collins earned a spot on All-WAC second team last season after leading the Cougars in points per game (14.6). assists per game (3.0) and steals per game (2.4). She ranked seven in the conference for scoring and fourth for steals while also pulling down 4.6 rebounds per game.
"Aaliyah is a dynamic guard who has proven she can play at a high level on both sides of the ball," Miller said. "Our instant bond came from our love of defense, and that is what makes her a perfect addition to complement our system and help us reach our championship goals. She is a relentless worker, which will only help continue the momentum from her freshman campaign."
In Miller's first two seasons at GCU, the Lopes full-throttle, full-court defensive pressure has led to the Lopes ranking second in steals per game in 2020-21 and third in 2021-22.
That speaks to Collins, who grew up on defense with her father, Tony, coaching her and carried that into her college debut to rank sixth nationally among freshmen for steals.
"It's hilarious because I think that was the biggest thing that we got instantly connected on," Collins said of her and Miller. "We both are excited about defense. Defense is really my game, so a lot of our conversations started off defense. We bonded heavily because of that. I'm excited to get into this level because I'm trying to play some defense and have other people play defense with me. Let's scare some people."
Collins immediately became the best scoring threat for Chicago State, which had one won game in the previous two seasons and upset Wisconsin in her first month with Collins scoring 25. She was named the National Freshman of the Week for the effort.
Collins posted eight 20-point games, including a 26-point, 10-rebound game against Seattle U in another win. She shot 41% from the field, 27% from 3-point range and 75% on free throws. Despite not winning WAC Freshman of the Year, Collins was the conference's only freshman in the scoring top 15.
"I'm looking forward to being around more aggressive people – teammates and the coaches," Collins said. "Like-minded people. I like being pushed at practices. I can be a dog. I'm two different people, on the court and off the court. I'm definitely really aggressive and passionate. I play with my emotion."
Collins was lightly recruited despite a four-year varsity career at Glacier Park High School, north of Seattle. She received interest from Big Sky programs before the pandemic, but those schools later pulled back their offers.
Her senior season was limited to nine games, which she led to a 9-0 record and won Player of the Year for the Everett area by averaging 16 points, four assists and three steals per game.
Miller and her coaching staff have been active in the transfer portal this offseason. Collins will be joined on this year's roster by junior college All-American point guard Maisa Marcal of Brazil, former WAC 3-point shooting champion Sydney Palma from California Baptist and last season's top two Summit League rebounders, Olivia Lane from North Dakota and Evan Zars from Western Illinois.
GCU also added an incoming freshman class of combo guard Ellie Buzzelle of Minnesota, power forward Alaina Harper of Wisconsin, guard Emma Krueger of Kansas and wing player Laila McLeod of Michigan.
Collins joins another roster Washington native in Tiarra Brown, who grew up south of Seattle in Spanaway.
"Fans are going to love her tough play on the court but also instantly connect with her bright smile and cheerful personality," Miller said. "I couldn't be more excited for the opportunity to coach an incredible basketball player like Aaliyah, but more so, add a high-character individual to our Lope family. Get excited for this one GCU fans, she is a hooper."
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Little did Collins know, the Lopes were an ideal match for her.
GCU will add last season's sixth-highest scoring freshman in the nation for next season with Collins, a defense-first player whose aggression and energy matches Miller's system. The Snohomish, Washington, native had seen GCU as a Chicago State outsider playing the Lopes but the transfer portal visit made the 5-foot-7 guard feel like an insider.
"I was not expecting to come to GCU," Collins said. "It was just so bright. The energy was so positive. Immediately, I was comfortable, and it brought out the energetic and happy side of me. I need energy around me because that helps me perform better. I fell in love with the coaches and the campus is so vibrant."
Collins earned a spot on All-WAC second team last season after leading the Cougars in points per game (14.6). assists per game (3.0) and steals per game (2.4). She ranked seven in the conference for scoring and fourth for steals while also pulling down 4.6 rebounds per game.
"Aaliyah is a dynamic guard who has proven she can play at a high level on both sides of the ball," Miller said. "Our instant bond came from our love of defense, and that is what makes her a perfect addition to complement our system and help us reach our championship goals. She is a relentless worker, which will only help continue the momentum from her freshman campaign."In Miller's first two seasons at GCU, the Lopes full-throttle, full-court defensive pressure has led to the Lopes ranking second in steals per game in 2020-21 and third in 2021-22.
That speaks to Collins, who grew up on defense with her father, Tony, coaching her and carried that into her college debut to rank sixth nationally among freshmen for steals.
"It's hilarious because I think that was the biggest thing that we got instantly connected on," Collins said of her and Miller. "We both are excited about defense. Defense is really my game, so a lot of our conversations started off defense. We bonded heavily because of that. I'm excited to get into this level because I'm trying to play some defense and have other people play defense with me. Let's scare some people."
Collins immediately became the best scoring threat for Chicago State, which had one won game in the previous two seasons and upset Wisconsin in her first month with Collins scoring 25. She was named the National Freshman of the Week for the effort.
Collins posted eight 20-point games, including a 26-point, 10-rebound game against Seattle U in another win. She shot 41% from the field, 27% from 3-point range and 75% on free throws. Despite not winning WAC Freshman of the Year, Collins was the conference's only freshman in the scoring top 15.
"I'm looking forward to being around more aggressive people – teammates and the coaches," Collins said. "Like-minded people. I like being pushed at practices. I can be a dog. I'm two different people, on the court and off the court. I'm definitely really aggressive and passionate. I play with my emotion."
Collins was lightly recruited despite a four-year varsity career at Glacier Park High School, north of Seattle. She received interest from Big Sky programs before the pandemic, but those schools later pulled back their offers.
Her senior season was limited to nine games, which she led to a 9-0 record and won Player of the Year for the Everett area by averaging 16 points, four assists and three steals per game.
Miller and her coaching staff have been active in the transfer portal this offseason. Collins will be joined on this year's roster by junior college All-American point guard Maisa Marcal of Brazil, former WAC 3-point shooting champion Sydney Palma from California Baptist and last season's top two Summit League rebounders, Olivia Lane from North Dakota and Evan Zars from Western Illinois.
GCU also added an incoming freshman class of combo guard Ellie Buzzelle of Minnesota, power forward Alaina Harper of Wisconsin, guard Emma Krueger of Kansas and wing player Laila McLeod of Michigan.
Collins joins another roster Washington native in Tiarra Brown, who grew up south of Seattle in Spanaway.
"Fans are going to love her tough play on the court but also instantly connect with her bright smile and cheerful personality," Miller said. "I couldn't be more excited for the opportunity to coach an incredible basketball player like Aaliyah, but more so, add a high-character individual to our Lope family. Get excited for this one GCU fans, she is a hooper."
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Players Mentioned
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