Top-100 2026 Mississippi State commit Jalyn Collingwood. Credit: Miss. St. Athletics
In the latest edition of ‘P.I. Pulse’, Pro Insight’s Houston Wilson connected with four-star 2026 Jalyn Collingwood to break down his commitment to the Mississippi State Bulldogs:
On Thursday afternoon, class of 2026 guard Jalyn Collingwood of Sidwell Friends School (Washington, D.C.) announced his commitment to Mississippi State.
Pro Insight caught up with Collingwood to talk about his decision, how he fits in the Bulldogs’ system, what excites him most about competing in the SEC, and more.
“Mississippi State just showed me the most love throughout the entire recruiting process,” Collingwood said. “They have a great plan for me both on and off the court. During all of my visits, I felt the most comfortable there. I really enjoyed the vibe, and I bonded really well with the coaches and the players I met. It’s a real family environment.”
When asked about how the coaching staff envisions his role in Starkville, Collingwood said they’ve made it clear how much they value his versatility and athleticism.
“The staff has broken it down in many ways on how I will fit into their system. They really like my athleticism and think that I can fit in their system in multiple ways. They are going to have me come off a lot of ball screens, they are going to let me get out in transition, they are just going to get me a lot of shots in their system, and most importantly, just let me be myself. On the defensive end of the floor, they just want me to be that junkyard type dog and use my physicality to slow down the opposition.”
Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans has already drawn some comparisons for how Collingwood’s game translates.
“Coach has compared me to a lot of players. Cameron Matthews is one in particular. He’s coached a lot of different guys, so there are pieces of several players that he sees in me.”
During his visit, several aspects of the program stood out, both on and off the court.
“Off the court, I really enjoyed meeting with the academic staff. I want to major in business, so getting to talk with the people who lead that program was great. On the court, what really stood out was how hard they went during practice. The intensity is real, that’s the kind of environment I want to be part of.”
Collingwood also expressed excitement about joining one of the most competitive conferences in college basketball.
“It just means a lot to be able to play in arguably the best league in the country. I wanted the opportunity to showcase the player I can be in the best conference in the country so I am really blessed. I am excited to show everybody the work that I have put in.”
Now with his commitment behind him, Collingwood is focused on continuing to develop his game.
“I just want to keep improving as a ball-handler and become a more consistent shooter. I also want to make better and quicker decisions with the ball. I’m just trying to grow every part of my game.”
