Truman Hoops Standout Named All-State, DiRenna Award Finalist

Truman’s Kierra Collier is not just one of the top high school basketball players in Kansas City, she’s one of the top players in the state of Missouri. She was not only named to the Missouri Class 5 Girls All-State Team, but she’s one of 10 finalists (five boys, five girls) for the prestigious DiRenna Award, given to the Kansas City area’s top male and female high school basketball player. Making the achievement even more impressive, Collier is just a sophomore- the other nine DiRenna finalists are seniors. She was one of just three sophomores named to the all-state team.

Sponsored by the Greater Kansas City Basketball Coaches Association (GKCBCA), the DiRenna winner will be announced during the GKCBCA All-Star Challenge Awards Show Thursday, April 9 in Overland Park. During the 2014-15 season, Collier averaged nearly 16 points and more than four rebounds a game to help lead the Patriots (18-9) to a district title.

The DiRenna Award was established by Dr. James DiRenna, a well-known Kansas City surgeon, in 1954. His son James Jr., along with the GKCBCA, have continued the tradition. This is the second straight year Truman has had a DiRenna finalist- Becca Jonas was a finalist in 2014.