Collier soared with Angels

The two-way guard leaving Denver East as an all-time great

Fromhis first in-state game with the Denver East Angels, at Palmer in Colorado Springs on Dec. 10, 2010, to his finale, last month in the Class 5A championship game in Boulder, Dominique Collier was a featured part of the state’s boys basketball scene.

“He was as good as any freshman I’ve ever had,” said Angels coach Rudy Carey, who has won 725 games and nine state championships. “He drives our car.”

After beginning his schoolboy career in an out-of-state tournament and debuting locally with a 31-point effort, Collier, now a two-time winner of Mr. Colorado Basketball by The Denver Post and the state’s top two-way guard the past three seasons, enjoyed a glorious run.

He was a four-year starter who played on four consecutive Denver Prep League title teams. He became a three-time member of The Denver Post All-Colorado teams.

He made two appearances in the 5A championship game, winning a title and a tournament MVP award, while sparking Denver East to a four-year record of 90-17.

Also accomplished on the AAU level, the 6-foot-1 Collier has played internationally on U.S. age-group squads, including in Indonesia, and seemed satisfied after the Angels rolled five playoff foes by an average of 21 points this season, topped off by handling previously undefeated Fossil Ridge in the finale. “It was all worth it,” Collier said. Fittingly, his final game with Denver East was played at the Coors Events Center, where he will play for the University of Colorado next season. Collier is the Buffaloes’ first inner-city signee since another DPL star— GeorgeWashington’s Chauncey Billups.

Collier’s legacy includes reopening local doors.

Hewas as good as any freshman I’ve ever had. He drives our car.” Rudy Carey, Denver East boys coach, on Mr. Colorado Basketball Dominique Collier