By DENNIS CHAMBERS
PHILADELPHIA — During the first live period this summer, 2018 forward Darius Days played well enough to see his college stock rise.
Throughout this summer, Days has seen the offers and interest from schools around the country pile in as his play continues to catch the eyes of whoever is watching. Of the programs that are vying for his services, those who are in contact most often are LSU, Louisville, Ohio State, Texas A&M, North Carolina State, and Georgetown. On ESPN’s top-100 for the class of 2018, Days checks in at No. 79.
Despite improved play and spiked interest in Days, his recent play at the Under Armour All-America camp hasn’t been living up to standards. Just ask the Florida native.
“I been playing terrible,” Days said of his performances at the camp.
While Days sounds like his own harshest critic, the 6-foot-6 forward sees the differences in his game from the first live period to this weekend.
“Having a better motor, being more consistent,” Days said about the difference in his game. “Just dribbling the ball more, getting to the basket more, getting to the free throw line more. Just keep doing what I’m doing better.”
As a result of not being a primary ball-handler, the success and ability to form a consistent rhythm aren’t necessarily up to Days, according to him. Regardless, at the end of the day, Days is happy just to be able to compete.
“Camps are mostly for guards,” Days said. “But it is what it is. Some camps I do get to do my thing, but I can’t always do it. I can’t complain.”
As Days continues to maneuver through the summer before his senior year of high school, he’ll deal with the ups and downs as they come, trying to minimize the downs as much as possible. But as a college decision nears closer, there are specific parts of Days’ game that he knows he needs to work on to make the transition to the next level easier.
“Ball-handling mostly,” Days said. “Getting to the basket, stop relying on my jump shot mostly. Because I shoot the ball very well, so I just want to get to the basket more and get to the free throw line more.”
On the court, Days has the ability to play multiple positions. Throughout the All-America camp, Days shifted seamlessly from both forward positions. As Days mentions, his shooting ability allows him to operate from the wing, while his thick frame is capable of parking down on the block and securing rebounds.
In his own words, Days’ natural position is “stretch everywhere.”
Once the summer starts to come to an end, Days says he’ll have more time to focus on which schools he wants to take his official visits to. But for the time being his priority is continuing to develop his game.
Photo: Scout.com
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