The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1177236
54 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2019-20 ANALYSIS In his first season playing for the Pack, the former Utah transfer emerged as NC State's sixth man and also its best perimeter de- fender. Daniels' versatility could see him play a number of roles for head coach Kevin Keatts this year, including in the same capacity he was used down the stretch last season or perhaps as a full-time starter in a small line-up. Regardless, he will be an important factor in NC State's level of success. CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Started 13 games and played all 36 contests last year … Was fifth on the team in scoring at 9.3 points per contest … Also was fourth in rebounding (4.4 boards a game), fourth in steals (32) and third in blocks (22) … Had a season-high 21 points against Western Carolina … Contributed a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds in an overtime home win over Boston College … Aver- aged 10.0 points per game in three NIT contests … Before coming to NC State, started 26 games and played in 29 as a freshman at Utah … Was fourth on the team in scoring (9.9 points per game), and second in assists (78) and steals (25) … Shot 57.1 percent from the field, second best among Pac-12 freshmen and eighth overall in the conference … Had a career-high 24 points in a win over Washington … Played his last high school season at Prolific Prep in Napa, Calif. … Before that, attended Kalamazoo (Mich.) Central and averaged 16.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game as a junior. PERSONAL Son of Pete and Tiffany Daniels … Has a sister … Was a three- sport star at Kalamazoo, where he also played football and ran track. STATISTICS Year G-GS MPG PPG RPG APG FG% 3FG% FT% 2016-17* 29-26 26.9 9.9 4.6 2.7 57.1 40.0 71.9 2018-19 36-13 23.5 9.3 4.4 1.6 40.9 31.1 66.1 * at Utah DEVON DANIELS 24 R-Jr. • Battle Creek, Mich. • 6-5 • 205 G 22 Daniels had 22 blocked shots in 36 games a season ago. That season tally was one off tying the No. 25 player (Boston College's Nik Popovic) in the ACC last season. What was most impressive about Daniels' number, however, was that only one player in that top 25 was, like Daniels, a wing — Syra - cuse's Elijah Hughes, who had 27 blocks. Every other player was a power forward/center. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN