Hogan Prep star Damien Daniels seems to want success as much as any player in the entire city. And though sometimes things may not go his way, lately a lot of things have.
Damien is the centerpiece of a Rams team that has won 12-of-14 games and hitting their stride at the right time with a 15-6 record. He's averaging 24 points per game which is impressive considering the fact that he's averaging more points over last season despite playing fewer minutes on the floor. Hogan Prep Coach Rob Heitman has the ability to play all 11 players on his extremely deep roster.
2018 PG Damien Daniels of Hogan Prep scored 28 PTS in a 72-70 victory over Helias at the Central Bank Shootout in JC pic.twitter.com/8ayQThmdg5
— Prep Hoops Missouri (@PrepHoopsMO) February 5, 2017
In the last week-plus Damien has continued his stellar play. Last Saturday, he scored 28 points in a 72-70 win at Helias in the Central Bank Shootout in Jefferson City, Missouri. He scored 22 points at Rockbridge, 29 at Lafayette, 30 points versus Ruskin, and 25 points versus Lee's Summit West.
He's also 21 points shy of 1,000 for his career while shooting 45 percent from three-point range (up from 27 percent last year). You probably won't find this out from him given his humble nature. But, Damien's worked hard at his craft, and it shows.
"I've worked with a lot of trainers and stuff like that - getting my confidence up," the junior point guard said. "My coaches and my teammates, they put me in great positions to do well on the court."
Hogan Prep junior Damien Daniels @Dt1me goes for 28 points, 6 rebounds in Hogan Prep's 61-56 win over Basehor-Linwood @hoganprepkc pic.twitter.com/Jbfx3iSk63
— 810 Varsity (@810varsity) January 7, 2017
Heitman has been Damien's coach since he was a freshman. He underscored the point that what Damien and the entire Hogan Prep team have done is nothing short of amazing. Hogan Prep has to play practically every game on the road because of not having updated gym facilities. But through it all Damien continues to shine.
Damien is starting to gain some notoriety in collegiate recruiting circles, and people are starting to see just how good this young man really is on the court.
"The interest process or phase started this past summer. You know, Damien's definitely visible on the AAU circuit, the summer circuit," said Heitman. "We're getting a lot of overtures, a lot of interest. And, like I told his mom the other day, I think when that first offer arrives, it's gonna be a kind of floodgate situation after that. A host of schools (have shown interest). Some mid-major's, a few SEC schools, even down to MIAA schools."
That kind of success rarely comes without outside help and Damien knows that his teammates have been an integral part of that success.
"We've got a great bond. We do stuff outside of basketball together," Damien said. "We know what each other's weaknesses and strengths are. So, they just find me. And, I find them on the places they need the ball. And when I need the ball, they give it to me."
Another Hogan Prep guard confirmed for The Top Rank Showcase in Kansas City, MO on October 15th.
Damien Daniels. pic.twitter.com/0bvFsRVdzG— Top Rank Showcase (@toprankbball) October 9, 2016
Damien has certainly received his teammates' stamp of approval as well.
"I mean, without him, this wouldn't be a team. That's personally (my opinion)," junior guard Kevaun Maull-Edwards said. "I think that (way) cause he's just a great basketball player. (Damien's) average is high. He can score the ball when he wants to. And, he's just a great team player."
NOTE: The Hy-Vee 41 Five-Star Athlete of the Week segment airs every Thursday night during the 10 p.m. sportscast for the entire school year.
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Ryan Marshall can be reached at Ryan.Marshall@KSHB.com.
