![]() ![]() He couldn't stop me, I couldn't stop him. On draft night, he, along with everyone else in the world, knew Ewing was going first, but he says there was a real question as to who would go second. He was the first person in college basketball history to lead the nation in both scoring and rebounding in the same season, averaging 27/15 throughout his senior year. McDaniel was a consensus first team All-American coming out of Wichita State. Here's how his numbers stacked up to three of the all-time greats:Ĭhris Mullin 20.2/3.9/ eFG%. Springfield may seem far-fetched, but X-Man's self-appraisal is fairly spot on. "I was right there with any forward in the league except Larry Bird, and he's Larry Bird." "If you look at my first five years, I had Hall-of-Fame numbers," says McDaniel, 52, matter-of-factly. Sure, there's plenty of power crams, but also pull-up jumpers, shimmies, turnarounds, and even a sweeping Skyhook, redolent of that begoggled dude on the Los Angeles squad who bedeviled the Sonics. His Sonics era mixtape isn't just dunks and sharp elbows, it's brimming with an array of moves. Make no mistake though, X-Man, the fourth overall pick of the Seattle SuperSonics in 1985, could flat-out play. The bald head, the scowl, the eyes that bugged out like a cartoon wolf when he was angry, the Wes Mathews chokehold. ![]() In some ways, the Columbia, South Carolina native is a victim of steely notoriety, best remembered for his intimidating ways. "Xavier maximized his ability," says eminent basketball writer Bob Ryan, "He's pretty much the definition of a pro's pro." But with McDaniel there, those questions shouldn’t last long.Read More: The Draft Pick Who Chose Jesus over Jordan Outsiders might be worried about Michigan’s roster turnover and thin backcourt. Some freshmen may think ‘Oh, I’m not going to play a lot because I’m a freshman.’ But just having the confidence and that trust in me early lets me know I have nothing to worry about.” “(The praise) means a lot to me,” McDaniel said at Michigan Media Day. The group’s on-court chemistry will be tested early, but Howard already has trust in the group - especially in McDaniel. Llewellyn, Bufkin, and McDaniel comprise an almost entirely new rotation for the Wolverines. McDaniel’s skills necessitate it, but so does Michigan’s thin backcourt. There may be doubt, but, rest assured, McDaniel will see the court quickly. ![]() “My presence is going to make people doubt me, but just making myself a presence is a big thing and letting them know I’m here.” “I feel like my personal goal is to make myself known,” McDaniel said at Michigan Media Day. Self-aware as an undersized freshman, McDaniel isn’t shying away from making his mark and setting his own expectations higher than one might expect. But not for Howard, as McDaniel’s skill set already speaks for itself in earning big minutes on the floor. Pairing him up with Llewellyn, another undersized guard, would cause trepidation for some coaches. Standing at 5-foot-11, McDaniel will force the Wolverines to go small in the rotation. ![]() There’s certain things that they see while I’m out there. “(The three of us) bonded very well together,” McDaniel said at Michigan Media Day on Friday. It is unclear right now what his role will be, but paired alongside graduate transfer guard Jaelin Llewellyn and sophomore guard Kobe Bufkin, the trio has already meshed well. Still, McDaniel is joining a thin backcourt that likely necessitates a lot of playing time for the freshman. Nevertheless, the freshman will most likely start the season coming off the bench. 1 option in high school, averaging 17.6 points per game as a senior. McDaniel grew accustomed to being the No. Coming in as a highly-rated recruit, McDaniel can learn a thing or two from Dickinson on carving out his role as a freshman. ![]()
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