USF Forward Daimion Collins Plays for Late Father

Collins' father, Ben, died of a heart attack 3.5 years ago, but remains his 'angel' and inspiration

Mar. 19, 2026 at 1:20am

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USF redshirt senior forward Daimion Collins has a tattoo that says "Long Live My Pops" on his left forearm, a tribute to his father Ben who passed away from a heart attack 3.5 years ago. Collins says his father had a major impact on his life and was his best friend, and he feels his father's presence with him every day. USF head coach Bryan Hodgson has become a father figure to Collins since his dad's passing, and Collins credits Hodgson for being there for him during both low and high moments.

Why it matters

Collins' story highlights the profound impact a parent can have on a child, even after their passing. Despite the tragedy of losing his father at a young age, Collins has found strength and inspiration to continue pursuing his basketball dreams, with the support of his USF coaches and teammates. His perseverance and dedication to honoring his father's memory is an uplifting narrative as the Bulls make their March Madness run.

The details

Daimion Collins was a highly touted five-star recruit and McDonald's All-American coming out of high school in Atlanta, Texas. After playing his first two college seasons at Kentucky, he transferred to USF last year. Collins' father, Ben, passed away suddenly from an apparent heart attack at just 43 years old while Collins was playing at Kentucky. Collins says he and his father were best friends who did everything together, and he thinks about him constantly. USF head coach Bryan Hodgson, who recruited Collins out of high school, has become a father figure to him and the two have developed a close bond over the past year.

  • Daimion Collins' father, Ben, died of an apparent heart attack 3.5 years ago.
  • Collins transferred to USF last year and has played for the Bulls this season.

The players

Daimion Collins

A redshirt senior forward for the University of South Florida (USF) basketball team. Collins was a highly touted five-star recruit and McDonald's All-American out of high school in Atlanta, Texas.

Ben Collins

Daimion Collins' father, who passed away from an apparent heart attack at the age of 43 while Daimion was playing at Kentucky.

Bryan Hodgson

The head coach of the University of South Florida (USF) basketball team. Hodgson has become a father figure to Daimion Collins since he transferred to USF last year.

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What they’re saying

“Coach Hodgson is a real genuine guy. He always kept it honest with me. He has always been there. In low moments and high moments, he has always been someone I can trust, someone I can look up to. He played a real big part of my life.”

— Daimion Collins, USF Redshirt Senior Forward

“Daimion is family. I treat him like a son. I am going to love him for the rest of his life. I am going to be there for the rest of his life. I think he has matured so much just in this year he has been with us. I can't even imagine what he felt or what he is even feeling right now, and I don't want to. His mental toughness and who he is as a young man and the way he approaches us every day based on what he has been through is so inspiring. I hope I can get to coach him for a couple more games.”

— Bryan Hodgson, USF Head Coach

What’s next

Collins and the No. 11 Bulls play Louisville on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. The game will be televised on TNT.

The takeaway

Daimion Collins' story of perseverance and honoring his late father's memory is an inspiring narrative as the USF Bulls make their March Madness run. Despite the tragedy of losing his dad at a young age, Collins has found strength and support from his coaches and teammates to continue pursuing his basketball dreams, a testament to the power of family, faith, and determination.