Aki Collins Last College: Clark Atlanta, 1997 Position: Assistant Coach Experience: Second Year

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"I think it is important we have a recruiting presence where we play, and Aki's relationships on the Eastern seaboard, allow our staff to continue to recruit and have a daily pulse on what is happening in the BIG EAST region. He has been an integral part of each staff he has been a part of, and has made his presence felt in the short time he has been here. He has a bright future in the business, not only because of his talent in the industry, but because he makes everyone his friend, and people have complete trust in him." Buzz Williams

The 2009-10 campaign will mark the second for David "Aki" Collins with the Marquette University men's basketball program.

Collins has played a key role in compiling a consensus top-25 2009 recruiting class for the Golden Eagles, a group ranked by one media outlet as the best in the country.

Collins arrived in Milwaukee after working as an assistant coach at fellow Jesuit institution Fairfield University for two seasons under Ed Cooley. The Stags collected 21 league victories in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference during his tenure and in 2006-07 posted the program's longest winning streak in 20 years. Fairfield was represented on the all-league team both years.

Previous to Fairfield, Collins spent three seasons at Marshall University. During his stay at Marshall (2003-06), he assisted with the program's transition between conferences. The Thundering Herd placed several student-athletes on the Conference USA and Mid-American
Conference all-league teams.

The Brooklyn native came to Marshall after three seasons as an assistant coach at Howard University, where he served under head coach Frankie Allen. Before his arrival at Howard, the program posted just three victories in the previous two seasons. After winning 10 games during the 2000-01 campaign, the Bison won 18 games in 2001-02 and advanced to the conference championship game.

Collins helped sign two preseason MEAC Player of the Year candidates in Aki Thomas (2002) and Kyle Williams (2003), both of whom transferred to Howard from the University of Colorado, following Collins when he made the trip back East. He also helped recruit 2003 MEAC Player of the Year, Ronnie Williams.

Prior to Howard, Collins spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Colorado, one year as a volunteer and two as a full-time assistant. His responsibilities with the Buffalos included coordinating film exchange and participating in on-campus recruiting activities. He coached Jaquay Walls while in Boulder, who went on to become a second-round NBA draft pick by the Indiana Pacers in 2000.

He began his collegiate playing career at Morehouse College, before transferring to Clark Atlanta University for his sophomore year. He prepped at LaSalle Academy in New York, where he led his team to a 26-1 record and the New York City championship as a sophomore. LaSalle earned a top 20 preseason ranking prior to his senior campaign.

He earned a bachelor's degree in communications from Clark Atlanta in 1997.

Collins is married to the former Ina Taylor and the couple's first child, Daniel, was born in April of 2009.