LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky sophomore Daimion Collins is a superb addition to the Wildcat basketball roster. In his first season, the 6-foot-9, 210-pound forward saw action in 27 games, scored 78 points, had 55 rebounds and 20 blocked shots.

In high school, he was a five-star prospect who averaged 35.2 points and 14.4 rebounds per game his senior season, earning him the Texas Gatorade Player of the Year award. In addition, Collins was named to the McDonald’s All-America Game.

To look at this stellar athlete, you’d never guess he has a passion for the Tennessee Walking Horse, or that he finds just as much pleasure inside a quite horse arena as he does a noisy basketball arena. Collins grew up in rural Atlanta, Texas, in the northeast corner of the state. He spent most of his time on his grandmother’s farm.

Daimion credits his parents, Ben and Kim Collins, for guiding him through life’s oftentimes difficult path. He also credits 4-H opening doors and presenting him with many opportunities.

“4-H helped me a lot,” said Collins, who is a member of the Booker T. Washington 4-H Club in Cass County, Texas. “It can really help young people as they begin to prepare for their future. My parents, agriculture and 4-H has played a huge part in my upbringing.”

While the rigorous classroom schedule and college basketball responsibility is demanding, it is quite the contrast to the peaceful, rural setting offered by Atlanta, Texas, with its population of just more than 5,000. And while he cherishes the opportunity to play basketball in the Southeastern Conference, Collins won’t soon forget his time spent at his grandmother’s farm.

“I have fond memories of that farm,” he said. “My grandma raised chickens, horses and had a garden, so I did, indeed, grow up around agriculture. And while at the farm I gravitated toward horses, especially the Tennessee Walkers.

“I had a couple of horses of my own, and I had cousins who rode, too. We always had a good time. Riding horses while growing up meant a lot to me because it was a chance to get away from everything going on in my life and helped clear my mind.”

While growing up, Collins admitted that he wanted to do something in life that dealt with agriculture. In keeping with dreams, he chose agricultural economics in the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.

Collins has not forgotten that he is blessed. He was a McDonald’s All-American in high school, one who was recruited by Oklahoma University, Texas Tech, University of Texas, University of Kansas and University of Kentucky. In all, he had 20 scholarship offers. He found his fit with the Kentucky Wildcats.

As a way of giving back, he has volunteered with Driven to Change, a non-profit to encourage young people to prioritize education and allow them to be successful beyond the classroom. He said that with his non-profit he will offer a college, career and life readiness summit for girls and boys of area high school basketball teams. At no cost, basketball players in Cass and Bowie counties will participate in virtual workshops concerning career exploration assessments and will engage with former professional athletes to gain an understanding of social justice.

“For me this is a way to help and bring back to my community,” Collins said. “I realize that not many young people have an opportunity like mine, and I want to be able to help them accomplish their goals and achieve their dreams.”

And that attitude brings smiles to his mother.

“I’ve realized early on that Daimion was selfless and had a level head on his shoulders,” she said. “Daimion has always been a humble kid, and he has never let the hype get to him. Everyone knows him as this basketball star, but I want them to know that he is more than an athlete.”

While Collins’ athletic status brings attention to the fact that he is also engaged in 4-H, it’s not hard to find celebrities who have participated in the 4-H program. Such notables include Julia Roberts, Dan Reeves, Nancy Grace, Roy Rogers, Al Gore, David Letterman, Johnny Carson, Faith Hill, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash and Orville Redenbacher.