The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1318516
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 ■ 47 last season of his college career, his goal is to get his first playing experience in the tournament this upcoming spring. In order for the Wolfpack to earn its first NCAA berth in what will be three years next March, Daniels noted the team has some improvements to make, but he thinks they're on the right track. "We have to get sharper on defense and rebounding," Daniels said. "We still have a long way to go with the defensive side of things with communication, being in the right [position to] help and getting back in game shape. We can run as many suicides as Keatts wants us to do in practice, but it's nothing like getting back in game shape. "With rebounding, we have to get back to the basics of just boxing out and crash- ing the boards for offensive rebounds. I definitely have to do a better job of that, too. The offense will come. We have a lot of scorers, we have a lot of options. Nobody on the team is selfish, we all want to see each other eat and grow." Defense, specifically, is one area he can really help the Pack this season. Last year, he was routinely tasked with guarding the oppo- nent's top perimeter player each night. Now with more depth, and potentially an enhanced defensive ability, on the roster, Daniels will won't have to carry as heavy a load on that end of the court as he did in 2019-20. What makes him thrive in NC State's de- fense, however, is his aggressive instincts and active hands — which led to 53 steals last season, the eighth most in the ACC. Because of Keatts' emphasis on creating turnovers defensively, a player like Daniels is a natural fit in the system. "We really want to pressure and get in passing lanes," Daniels said. "We're not the type to clog up the gaps or the lanes. We're the type to get in the lanes and try to push the defense out more towards half court. "After we make a basket, we want to get in press and pressure them so they can't even get into the offense. We're not trying to slow the game down, we're trying to speed the game up." Daniels will be equally important on the offensive side with his versatile skill set on that end of the court. He shot 32.2 per- cent on three-point attempts last season, the third-best mark among returning players. He's also able to create off the dribble and is a strong finisher in transition situations. Daniels had the highest field goal percent- age among guards in 2019-20 after shooting 47.0 percent with the second-most attempts on the team. With the departures of senior guards Markell Johnson and C.J. Bryce this sum- mer due to graduation, Daniels isn't worried about filling in any particular role. Instead, he just wants to do whatever it takes to help his team win. "I'm not trying to be a slasher or a three- point shooter, I'm just trying to play the game and have fun," Daniels said. "I just want to make the right reads. If the shot's there and that's the right shot, I'm taking it with no hesitation. "I'm focused on playing the game at a high pace and fulfilling my purpose and role on the team. I'm really not too wor- ried about percentages or being labeled as some kind of guy, I'm just going to play my game." ■ " I just want to take full advantage of every moment and every opportunity. I want to have fun, and I want to play with as much passion and energy as possible. " Daniels During the 2019-20 campaign, Daniels was one of just two players on the Wolfpack roster to play in every game, and he led the team in scoring eight times, rebounding nine times, assists twice and steals 11 times. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN