Ella Collier, two-time NAIA National Player of the Year, joins Purdue women's basketball
The Danville native became the all-time leading scorer at powerhouse Marian University this past season
Just call this a bookend recruitment for Katie Gearlds and Ella Collier.
The Boilermaker coach signed Ella Collier when she served as the head coach at Marian University and coached the Danville native during her freshman season.
Now, Gearlds will coach Collier in her final collegiate season but this time at Purdue.
Collier, a two-time NAIA National Player of the Year and four-time All-American, announced Thursday that she’s transferring to join the Boilermakers.
Collier has one year of eligibility remaining.
Marian’s all-time leading scorer and a member of the 2020 Indiana All-Star team is one of three guards to join Boilermakers from the portal since the end of the season. Destini Lombard (Stephen F. Austin) and Mahri Petree (UTEP) have already signed with Purdue.
Collier totaled 2,260 points and became the program’s all-time leader in February, passing Lakan Hasser-Smith ('16) for the all-time record. Hasser-Smith is the Director of Video/Recruiting Assistant at Purdue.
Collier is also the program’s leader in 3-point field goals, free throws, free throw percentage and ranks in the top 10 in field goal percentage.
She’s the only NAIA player to shoot 50% from the field, 40% from the 3-point line, and 90% from the line.
The Boilermakers certainly can use some scoring help next season. Purdue averaged fewer than 70 points for the entire season and struggled to keep up with Big Ten opponents from the 3-point line.
How much of Collier’s scoring translates from NAIA to Big Ten competition remains to be seen, but the ability to put the ball in the basket is a skill that can’t be overlooked.
