They were born just eight minutes apart and have been partners on the basketball court since they played on recreation league teams as 6-year-olds. By the time they led their Southern California high school team to a pair of state titles, Jarron and Jason Collins became the most highly rated players ever recruited by Stanford. The expectations couldn't have been much greater when they arrived on campus in 1997. "Imagine Tiger Woods with a twin," crowed one magazine writer.
But the Collins brothers' show has been delayed -- twice. First, after just one game freshman year, Jason badly sprained his left knee, ending his season. He returned in the fall of 1998, ready to play again, until he was knocked off his feet while fighting for a rebound in the season's seventh game. When he stood up, he had a crushed wrist. Another season lost.
It's only this year, their third at Stanford (Jason is considered a redshirt freshman), that they've had a chance to play together. Jason, who did some serious time in the weight room while injured, plays low post and is one of the reasons No. 2 Stanford has a reputation for playing a punishing physical game. By midseason he was the team's leading shooter at 65 percent.
Jarron, a forward who at 6 feet 10 is an inch shorter than his twin, built his own reputation on the court. Voted last year's "most improved player," he now starts every game and by midseason had used his devastating fade-away jump shot to become the team's third-highest scorer. With those contributions, the twins helped lead Stanford to a midseason record of 19-1, the team's best start since 1936-37.
The brothers -- who haven't gotten genetic tests to determine if they are identical or fraternal twins -- have developed distinct personal styles that go beyond the basketball court. Jarron has close-cropped hair, while Jason wears his longer and has earrings. And they are known by their teammates for individual quirks. Jason gets teased for singing aloud to his Walkman, Jarron for constant cell phone conversations with his girlfriend. "They are really two separate people," says senior Alex Gelbard, a guard who played with the brothers in high school.
But there are moments on the court when their unique connection is clear. "During the Georgia Tech game, I made a pass to Jarron that I probably wouldn't have tried with anyone else," Jason says. "It was through a guy's legs." Once again, Jarron was there.
