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McDaniels To Play For Aztecs This Fall
McDouble-double capitalized on the Draft’s new no-agent policy to showcase his skills for many NBA programs and a future entry.
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Jalen McDaniels is an impact player, period. His return to the Aztecs will help San Diego State excel in the coming season.
Lanky and talented 6’10”, 195-lb redshirt freshman from Federal Way, Washington, Jalen McDaniels is a major factor for the San Diego State Aztecs, and he will be back for another year after he withdrew from the NBA Draft.
https://twitter.com/jalenmcdaniels5/status/1002014890805018624?s=19
This past season he dazzled with offensive and defensive rebounds, impressively solid free throws, great shots and highly consistent NBA caliber finishes around the rim. He also sank a lot of his three point attempts.
It also didn’t hurt that McDaniels can dunk with authority. He still remains the only Mountain West player on record to have slammed a ball so hard it went through the hoop twice.
He’s an impact player.
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McDaniels’ long, slender frame mirrored 6’10” recent grad Malik Pope‘s, while his stats started to compare to NBA phenom and former Aztecs great Kawhi Leonard. At times McDaniels appeared to defy gravity with acrobatic, sure-footed steadiness that transcended his feathery weight.
With that, in dramatic fashion Jalen McDaniels has held out until the very last minute to withdraw from the NBA draft and elect to return to the Mesa to play this fall. He will suit up as an Aztec for the 2018-2019 season.
If this next season builds upon his past season’s results it is possible that McDaniels could be one of the very best Mountain West basketball players- bar none.
Given the fact he has returned after practicing with numerous NBA programs, it is a certainty he will be watched closely this coming season. His touch around the rim is like an insurance policy for teams contending at an increasingly competitive level. As such, it’s fair to predict that McDaniels will be pulling out the stops, and aiming to impress.
So here we go, Aztecs fans. With Matt Mitchell, Jordan Schakel AND Jalen McDaniels next season, along with returning strong talent and exciting inbounds, the future for Aztecs men’s basketball program looks very bright.
The Aztec Nation looks forward to watching Jalen and the rest of the SDSU men’s basketball squad in action this coming 2018-2019 season.