The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1043000
40 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2018-19 three levels — near the rim, mid-range and beyond the arc. "You'll see this season," Bryce said. While Bryce had the excitement of win- ning the Colonial Athletic Association Tour- nament and playing in the Big Dance as his going away present from UNCW, Daniels felt the opposite end of the spectrum. Daniels had a productive freshman cam- paign until things came undone at the end of the season. He averaged 9.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, and shot 57.1 per- cent from the field. Daniels got suspended for the last three games of the regular sea- son and then lost his role in the Pac-12 Tournament. He had six points in 18 min- utes in a loss to Boise State in the NIT for his last appearance in a Utah uniform. The year away from the spotlight has helped Daniels immeasurably, and he's added five pounds while lowering the body fat percentage on his 6-5, 200-pound frame. "I just really learned Keatts' style," Daniels said of his year on the sidelines. "For myself, I've focused on being a better leader and a better team member. "I've gotten more mature on and off the court. I think it helped me." One byproduct of playing at Utah was the chance to watch the development of forward Kyle Kuzma, who went on to be- come a first-round pick in the NBA Draft. The two friends are both Michigan natives, with Daniels from Battle Creek and Kuzma from Flint. Kuzma averaged 16.4 points and 9.3 re- bounds per game his junior year at Utah in 2016-17 and became the No. 27 overall selection in the first round, ultimately end- ing up with the Los Angeles Lakers. He had an impressive rookie year, averaging 16.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest, and he has inspired Daniels along the way. "I think it's a lot of motivation," Daniels said. "I was with him for his last year in college and I saw the way he worked and how he was locked in and focused. "It is pure motivation with me, really." Kuzma was one of six first-round draft picks from the Pac-12 in the 2017 NBA Draft, and another seven went in the sec- ond round. Experience against such elite competition should help Daniels adjust to the rigors of the ACC. "I'm used to the big crowds and big games," Daniels said. "I know how to stay poised and be ready for the next play." One specific area that Daniels worked on last year was his three-point shooting. He went 14 of 35 (40.0) from beyond the arc at Utah, but feels like he was held back a bit. He yearns to show what he can do with added freedom at NC State this season. "Honestly, I could shoot the ball at Utah, Daniels tallied 9.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest as a freshman at Utah two years ago. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN