Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
PITTSBURGH — DeAndre Daniels is currently at Kentucky on his third official visit in the last week and could enroll in a college in January.
The 6-foot-9, 197-pound small forward from Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academies took recent officials to Kansas and Oregon. He is at Kentucky until Sunday.
“He made a commitment to come to us for an entire year because he knew he needed to get bigger, stronger and more competitive to be the type of player he wants to be on the Division 1 level,” Andy Borman of IMG said by phone.
“Because of his hard work and success in the last 3 ½ months, his dad [LaRon] and DeAndre and us are contemplating sending him somewhere at the semester.
“It’s not set in stone. We have sped up his recruiting process so that if he does find a home at the semester that he and his dad are very comfortable with, then he’s gonna go.”
In addition to the three aforementioned schools, Daniels is also considering Alabama, Texas, N.C. State, UCLA and Baylor. Daniels saw Kansas edge UCLA, 77-76, Dec. 2 and got a chance to see both teams at once.
“Those are the ones that have been around and been calling,” Borman said.
Borman, who compared Daniels to Rashard Lewis of the Orlando Magic, said there is no leader at this point.
“As of now, there’s not, he said.
Borman said Daniels is fully qualified and already through the Eligibility Center.
Borman emphasized that Daniels, who transferred from Woodland Hills (Calif.) Taft, wouldn’t necessarily limit himself to five visits. He could take unofficials in the spring if he has already seen five and wants to check out other schools.
“If he ends up staying second semester, he’ll still go visit but it will be on his own dime,” Borman said.
Still, Borman thinks Daniels could well land at a college in January. He could then opt to either play right away or redshirt and wait until the fall of 2011.
“My inclination is that he would go at the break but he wouldn’t play until the fall and spend that second semester [practicing],” Borman said.
Rutgers recruit Kadeem Jack is doing something similar, enrolling in January but not playing until next fall.
“I don’t want to say there’s no chance he’ll play but it’s more likely he’ll wait until the fall,” Borman said.
Wherever he goes, Daniels figures to make an immediate impact.
“He’s a face up wing that can shoot the ball,” Borman said. “With one dribble he finishes above the rim.”
He added: “His upside is an impact player from Day One. Any freshman who can have an impact on Day One has got a bright future.”
And like ZAGS on Facebook.
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
PITTSBURGH — DeAndre Daniels is currently at Kentucky on his third official visit in the last week and could enroll in a college in January.
The 6-foot-9, 197-pound small forward from Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academies took recent officials to Kansas and Oregon. He is at Kentucky until Sunday.
“He made a commitment to come to us for an entire year because he knew he needed to get bigger, stronger and more competitive to be the type of player he wants to be on the Division 1 level,” Andy Borman of IMG said by phone.
“Because of his hard work and success in the last 3 ½ months, his dad [LaRon] and DeAndre and us are contemplating sending him somewhere at the semester.
“It’s not set in stone. We have sped up his recruiting process so that if he does find a home at the semester that he and his dad are very comfortable with, then he’s gonna go.”
In addition to the three aforementioned schools, Daniels is also considering Alabama, Texas, N.C. State, UCLA and Baylor. Daniels saw Kansas edge UCLA, 77-76, Dec. 2 and got a chance to see both teams at once.
“Those are the ones that have been around and been calling,” Borman said.
Borman, who compared Daniels to Rashard Lewis of the Orlando Magic, said there is no leader at this point.
“As of now, there’s not, he said.
Borman said Daniels is fully qualified and already through the Eligibility Center.
Borman emphasized that Daniels, who transferred from Woodland Hills (Calif.) Taft, wouldn’t necessarily limit himself to five visits. He could take unofficials in the spring if he has already seen five and wants to check out other schools.
“If he ends up staying second semester, he’ll still go visit but it will be on his own dime,” Borman said.
Still, Borman thinks Daniels could well land at a college in January. He could then opt to either play right away or redshirt and wait until the fall of 2011.
“My inclination is that he would go at the break but he wouldn’t play until the fall and spend that second semester [practicing],” Borman said.
Rutgers recruit Kadeem Jack is doing something similar, enrolling in January but not playing until next fall.
“I don’t want to say there’s no chance he’ll play but it’s more likely he’ll wait until the fall,” Borman said.
Wherever he goes, Daniels figures to make an immediate impact.
“He’s a face up wing that can shoot the ball,” Borman said. “With one dribble he finishes above the rim.”
He added: “His upside is an impact player from Day One. Any freshman who can have an impact on Day One has got a bright future.”
And like ZAGS on Facebook.
