Wednesday, April 26, 2000
Princeton's Daniels picks UK
Says he thinks he can play right away
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
After visiting the University of Kentucky last weekend, Princeton's Erik Daniels had no problem making his decision.
Eric Daniels
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“I chose Kentucky because I wanted an opportunity to play right away,” Daniels said. “I called coach (Tubby) Smith Sunday and told him that I accepted the offer.”
Daniels has signed a scholarship and mailed it back to the Wildcats.
Daniels was The Enquirer's Division I Player of the Year and a first-team all-state pick. The 6-foot-7, 195-pounder averaged 22 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the Vikings.
Before deciding on Kentucky, Daniels also visited Temple, Clemson and Michigan.
“I liked (Temple) coach John Chaney because he seemed to care about the players,” Daniels said. “But the school (in Philadelphia) is too far from Cincinnati. I wanted to stay closer to home.”
Daniels wasn't impressed with Clemson.
![[photo]](/editions/2000/04/26/daniels180x181)
Eric Daniels averaged 22 points per game for Princeton.
(Enquirer photo)
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“There's nothing exciting about Clemson,” Daniels said. “It wasn't for me and I also didn't like the warm weather.”
Michigan was a leading contender because Daniels' uncle, former Princeton quarterback Michael Taylor, lives in Ann Arbor and played football for the Wolverines.
“I've always liked Michigan and thought I'd like to play there,” Daniels said. “But I wasn't impressed.”
Daniels' decision didn't surprise Princeton coach Paul Andrews.
“I told Erik before he visited Kentucky that he would probably commit when down there,” Andrews said.
Daniels said his parents didn't pressure him on where to go.
“They went on every visit with me and let me make the decision,” Daniels said. “They're happy I picked Kentucky.”
Three years ago, Daniels wasn't considered one of the more promising players at Princeton. He played on the sophomore team but by late in the season moved up to the junior varsity.
“Erik worked hard during the summer and earned a starting spot on the varsity as a junior,” Andrews said. “He kept getting better and better, but we were a little worried about his strength.”
He played forward for the Vikings until this season, when he volunteered for point guard and played the position well.
“Erik's a good shooter from 15 to 17 feet,” Andrews said. Daniels shot 56 percent from the field this year.
Daniels expects to play forward at Kentucky.
“Coach Smith told me Kentucky was going back to the type of offense and defense used by Florida, which takes a lot of players,” Daniels said. “I could see myself playing next year and also playing for a national championship before I graduate.”
Daniels has passed the required college entrance test and plans to major in sports management.
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