Taylen Collins made her mark in the SEC in her first year in orange and blue a season ago after transferring from Oklahoma State and returns to the Tigers program as a veteran leader, and someone head coach Johnnie Harris is counting on for a more elevated role.
Collins, known for her tenacious defense and rebounding abilities, hauled in 6.3 rebounds per game and 1.6 steals - a team high in both categories. She was the only player on the Auburn roster to start all 32 games last year and recorded three double doubles along the way.
Losing star players such as First Team All-American Honesty Scott-Grayson and veteran guard JaMya Mingo-Young, left Harris with a wonder on who can step up and score more efficiently, and Collins is one she is counting on to do so.
“After the season last year - she's a great defender - one of the best defenders that I've had,” Harris said. “After the season, she was passing up a lot of shots. I wanted to make sure she was a little bit more comfortable on the offensive end. We changed her shot a little bit. She got in the gym; she embraced that change. She got in the gym, and she's been shooting the ball.
“We did a stat the other day of our live practices when we're going up and down against our scout team. She is shooting the ball right at 50%. She's taking a lot of jumpers. That has added to her game. I'm really excited. She's guarding more on the perimeter. I'm able to play her more on the perimeter,” she added.
Although she finished third on the team in scoring, with 7.9 points per game, Harris decided it would be more beneficial for Collins, and the team, to have her play more of a guard role after handling most of the dirty work down low a season ago.
“Probably her mid-range pull-up jumper, " Harris said on where she’s seen Collins develop the most. “Just the confidence to take it. She passed up on a lot of those shots last year. Now she's still able to go to the rim, then her rebounding because now she's facing the basket a little bit more. She was already a relentless rebounder, but I think that has been enhanced with her positioning.
“Just excited about her overall development. We're still working with her ball handling. She's becoming more confident with that. She's another big guard that I'll be able to create some mismatches with,” she added.
Collins not only has seen her role increase on the floor but has been counted on as more of a leader this offseason as well, helping guide along young talent and transfers alike and she’s ready to lead her team back to a tournament appearance after tasting success a season ago.
“We kind of just got a taste of it last year so now it is giving everyone else something to strive for this year to go even further. Especially with the exciting new pieces that we’ve added, we just want to get that look for everybody, Collins said.”
Whether she’s knocking down perimeter shots or running the floor with the guards, Harris knows she can count on Collins to lock down the opponents’ best defender on any given night.
“I think you'll see a different Taylen, but she's still that tough, physical defender that she was last year,” Harris said.
The Tigers will open their season with Southern Illinois on Nov. 4 in Neville arena. Tipoff is set for 6p.m. CTS and will be streamed on SECN+.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
Logan Fowler is a Senior from Sumiton, Alabama and is majoring in journalism. He joined the Plainsman in Spring 2024.
You can follow him on X (Twitter) at @loganffowler
