Vanderbilt basketball guard Frankie Collins is expected to return from injury for the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in the Bahamas, coach Mark Byington said.
Collins has missed the last two games for the Commodores (5-0) due to a lower-body injury.
The TCU transfer averaged 9.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists in the three games in which he played this season.
“I thought he was going to play today,” Byington said after a 109-74 win over Texas Southern on Nov. 20. “Actually, he practiced well yesterday, and not a full practice, but we were encouraged and it’s just one of those things, the type of injury, you’ve got to make sure that you’re doing it right. It’s a long season and different opportunities for other guys to step up.”
Duke Miles and Tyler Tanner have been the primary ball-handlers this season as Collins has come off the bench. Despite being without Collins, Vanderbilt has scored 100 points in its last two games.
Mason Nicholson also made his season and Commodores debut in the Texas Southern game. The Jacksonville State transfer played in two exhibitions but then suffered an illness that kept him out of practice. Nicholson scored two points with one rebound and one steal.
“Getting him back out there and letting it come along, he’ll get better and better,” Byington said. “I know he’s excited to play.”
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Frankie Collins injury update for Vanderbilt basketball
