DeAndre Daniels

DeAndre M. Daniels (born April 15, 1992) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Perth Wildcats of the National Basketball League (NBL). He played college basketball for the UConn men's basketball team, and won a national championship in 2014. Daniels was a key player for the Huskies' 2013–14 NCAA championship team, as he made 2014 NCAA Final Four All-Tournament team.

A 6'9" small forward from Los Angeles, Daniels surprised recruiting experts by choosing defending champion Connecticut out of IMG Academy – despite never visiting the East Coast school. Daniels stuck with the Huskies even after the school was declared ineligible for the postseason in 2012–13 due to poor Academic Progress Rate performance.^[1] He was selected by the Toronto Raptors with the 37th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft.

High school career

Daniels attended Taft High School in Woodland Hills, California before completing a post graduate year at IMG Academy in 2010–11. Daniels originally had committed to the University of Texas, but decommitted and committed to the University of Connecticut.^[2]

Considered a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Daniels was listed as the No. 3 small forward and the No. 10 player in the nation in 2011.^[3]

College career

As a freshman in 2011–12, Daniels averaged 3.0 points and 2.1 rebounds per game as a part-time starter. In his sophomore season, he started every game and raised his averages to 12.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game as the Huskies sat out their postseason ban. In his junior season, he again improved his production to 13.2 points and 6.0 rebounds.^[2] Daniels played a key role in getting the Huskies to the 2014 NCAA Final Four. He was named to the NCAA All-Tournament East Region Team^[4] and then recorded 20 points and 10 rebounds in leading the Huskies past the top overall seed Florida Gators in the national semi-final.^[5]

On April 25, 2014, Daniels declared for the NBA draft, foregoing his final year of college eligibility.^[6]

Professional career

2014–15 season

On June 26, 2014, Daniels was selected with the 37th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Toronto Raptors. In July 2014, he joined the Raptors for the 2014 NBA Summer League.^[7]

On August 14, 2014, Daniels signed with the Perth Wildcats for the 2014–15 NBL season.^[8] On September 2, 2014, he underwent surgery to remove a small bone fragment from his right elbow^[9] and subsequently required three weeks on the sideline. On October 10, 2014, he made his debut for the Wildcats in the team's season-opener against the New Zealand Breakers. In the 70-80 loss, he recorded 19 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks and 1 assist.^[10] On December 2, 2014, he was named Player of the Week for Round 8 after scoring a then season-high 22 points against the Cairns Taipans on November 28.^[11]

On February 15, 2015, Daniels tied a season-high 24 points in the 87-89 double overtime loss to the New Zealand Breakers.^[12] A week later in the regular season finale against the Townsville Crocodiles, Daniels had one of his best games of the season with another 24-point game, including six triples, plus 11 rebounds, four steals, two blocks and two assists.^[13] Finishing fourth on the ladder at 16-12, the Wildcats faced the first-placed Cairns Taipans in the semi-finals, but were unfortunately swept 2-0 in the best-of-three game series.^[14] In 30 games, Daniels averaged 14.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.^[15]

Personal

Daniels is the son of Laron Daniels and Kiljuana Thorpe, and the step-son of Venetia Esteen. He also has six siblings; Romance Olivier, John Daniels, Justin Daniels and Keirstyn Daniels, Azhwalaee Oliver and Keyonna Walker.^[2]

References

External links

• Connecticut bio
• Daniels rediscovering old formula for success