K.J. McDANIELS Overview: Signed in the #32 - Freshman - Guard/Forward late period in the spring 6’5” - 190 of 2011, he is one of five Birmingham, AL first-year freshmen on Clemson’s roster in 2011Central Park Christian School 12...expected to see time at Major: Communication Studies the small forward position to begin his career...comes from a strong basketball In High School: Three-star prospect according to pedigree...father, Kevin most of the national recruiting services...two-time McDaniels, Sr., played at NACA (National Association of Christian Athletes) South Alabama from 1989All-American, winning the honor in 2010 as a junior 91...Kevin was a second-team All-Sun Belt Conference and 2011 as a senior...2011 NACA Most Outstanding selection in 1991 after leading the Jaguars in scoring Player after leading Central Park Christian to its second at 13.4 points per game...South Alabama advanced consecutive national championship...2010 NACA Allto the NCAA Tournament that season after winning Tournament Team selection...team compiled a 45-3 the Sun Belt Conference combined record in backTournament...plays with to-back seasons...averaged “K.J. has great potential. He will tremendous energy and 18.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, make some plays our fans will love is one of Clemson’s best 3.4 blocks and 3.3 assists because of his athleticism. He has the athletes...possesses the top per game as a senior for wingspan of all the incoming the 2010-11 season...2010 physical tools and is hungry to learn.” freshmen, he measured Neosho Holiday Classic All- Head Coach Brad Brownell on McDaniels 6-foot-10 shortly afte r Tournament Team choice... enrolling in July...majoring coached by Don Broadnax... in communication studies...recruited by Earl Grant. born Mar. 3, 1993.
Q&A with K.J. McDaniels Why did you choose to play basketball at Clemson? “I came to the Miami game last year, and the atmosphere was great. The coaches and players made it feel like a family.” What specifically about Coach Brownell and his program appealed to you? “Just his commitment to defense. In order to win, it’s going to take defense.” What skill set do you bring to the team? “I bring a lot of energy and intensity on the court.” What are your expectations for your freshman season? “I want to improve on my dribbling and shooting skills. I want to be an attentive player. I believe we’re going to be a pretty good team, with the five scholarship freshmen coming in together and learning every day.” What are your strengths as a player? “I’m a pretty good rebounder. I can create shots for myself and play pretty good defense.” OFF THE COURT Nickname: K.J. (Father, Kevin McDaniels, Sr., was an all-conference player at South Alabama from 1989-91) Who do you most admire? “My mother, Shawn McDaniels. She’s a hard worker and always pushes me to be better as a person and as a basketball player.” If you could go anywhere, where would you go and why? “I would go to space. I’ve seen it on television, but I want to see it for myself.” Do you have any quirks or personality traits people may not know? “Off the court, I’m very silly. I like to make jokes and mess around with teammates.” Describe yourself using only three words. “A man. Silly. Honest.” Favorite song: “The Show Goes On” by Lupe Fiasco Favorite movie: The Lion King What is the one food you wouldn’t want to give up? “Shrimp bisque.” If you won a million dollars, what is the first thing you would buy? “I would buy my mother a Bentley.” What is one thing that annoys you more than anything else? “I don’t like it when people pretend to know somebody that they don’t.”
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