K. J. McDaniels

Kevin "K. J." McDaniels Jr. (born February 9, 1993) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Meralco Bolts of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He played college basketball for Clemson University before he was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 32nd overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft.

K. J. McDaniels
McDaniels with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2014
Free agent
PositionSmall forward
Personal information
Born (1993-02-09) February 9, 1993
Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High schoolCentral Park Christian School
(Birmingham, Alabama)
CollegeClemson (2011–2014)
NBA draft2014: 2nd round, 32nd overall pick
Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers
Playing career2014–present
Career history
2014–2015Philadelphia 76ers
2015–2017Houston Rockets
2015–2016→Rio Grande Valley Vipers
2017Brooklyn Nets
2017–2018Grand Rapids Drive
2018–2019Oklahoma City Blue
2019TNT KaTropa
2020–2021Greensboro Swarm
2021–2022NLEX Road Warriors
2022–2023Meralco Bolts
Career highlights and awards
  • ACC Defensive Player of the Year (2014)
  • First-team All-ACC (2014)
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com

High school career

McDaniels attended Central Park Christian School in Birmingham, Alabama.[1] Considered a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, McDaniels was listed as the No. 35 small forward in the nation in 2011.[2]

College career

McDaniels played limited minutes as a freshman for Clemson in 2011–12, averaging 3.9 points and 1.8 rebounds per game. As a sophomore, McDaniels became a starter for the Tigers. He averaged 10.9 points and 5.0 rebounds, and finished second in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in blocked shots with 2.1 per game.[3]

As a junior in 2013–14, McDaniels became one of the top players in the ACC. He averaged 17.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. He led the ACC in blocks per game at 2.8 and at the conclusion of the regular season was named first team All-ACC and the conference Defensive Player of the Year.[4] In the postseason, he led the Tigers to the 2014 National Invitation Tournament. McDaniels led the team to the tournament semifinals in Madison Square Garden.[5]

In April 2014, McDaniels declared for the NBA draft, foregoing his final year of college eligibility.[6]

Professional career

Philadelphia 76ers (2014–2015)
McDaniels warming up prior to a game in 2014

On June 26, 2014, McDaniels was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 32nd overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft.[7] In July 2014, he joined the 76ers for the 2014 NBA Summer League.[8] After being named in the 76ers' 2014 training camp roster on September 29, 2014,[9] McDaniels was not present at Richard Stockton College the next day for the opening day of training camp after he and his agent were not happy with the contract he was offered by the 76ers.[10] Subsequently, his deal was restructured and on October 1, McDaniels agreed to a one-year, non-guaranteed tender worth $507,000, allowing him to become a restricted free agent in 2015.[11] He went on to start his rookie season in fine form, becoming one of the 76ers main players off the bench and earned notoriety for his shot-blocking prowess.[12] He recorded his first career double-double on November 29 with season-highs of 21 points and 13 rebounds in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks.[13] McDaniels played 52 games for Philadelphia and averaged 9.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 25.4 minutes per game.

Houston Rockets (2015–2017)

On February 19, 2015, McDaniels was traded to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Isaiah Canaan and a 2015 second-round pick; he was one of a record 43 players to be traded on the day of the trade deadline.[14] He appeared in just 10 games for Houston to finish the regular season, and missed the team's entire playoff run after suffering a non-displaced fracture in his right elbow in the regular season finale.[15]

On July 21, 2015, McDaniels re-signed with the Rockets to a three-year, $10 million contract.[16][17] On April 3, 2016, he played a season-high 18 minutes and scored 10 points in the Rockets' 118–110 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.[18] During the 2015–16 season, he received multiple assignments to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Rockets' D-League affiliate.[19]

Brooklyn Nets (2017)

On February 23, 2017, McDaniels was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for cash considerations.[20] On March 23, 2017, he had a season-high 16 points in a 126–98 win over the Phoenix Suns.[21]

Grand Rapids Drive (2017–2018)

On August 22, 2017, McDaniels signed with the Toronto Raptors.[22] He was waived by the Raptors on October 22, 2017, before appearing in a game for them.[23]

On December 13, 2017, McDaniels joined the Grand Rapids Drive of the NBA G League.[24]

Oklahoma City Blue (2018–2019)

In July 2018, McDaniels played for the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2018 NBA Summer League and was named MVP of the championship game in Las Vegas.[25]

On September 23, 2018, McDaniels signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder.[26] On October 10, 2018, McDaniels was waived by the Thunder.[27] McDaniels was added to the Oklahoma City Blue training camp roster on October 23, 2018.[28]

In his first game with the OKC Blue, McDaniels recorded 10 points and 3 rebounds in 27 minutes of playing time as they got the win over the Stockton Kings, 124-89.[29] On November 4, McDaniels recorded 21 points and 8 rebounds in a 128-118 win over the Agua Caliente Clippers.[30]

TNT KaTropa (2019)

In August 2019, McDaniels signed with the TNT KaTropa as the team's import for the 2019 PBA Governors' Cup.[31] In his PBA debut, he recorded a career-high 41 points and 22 rebounds as well as 7 assists and 5 blocks in a 135-107 win over the Blackwater Elite.[32] Three days after, McDaniels recorded 37 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 blocks in a 103-91 win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.[33]

Greensboro Swarm (2020–2021)

On February 22, 2020, the Greensboro Swarm acquired the returning right to McDaniels from the Oklahoma City Blue in exchange for the returning right to Zach Smith and a first-round pick in the 2020 NBA G League Draft.[34] Six days later on February 28, 2020, the Greensboro Swarm announced that McDaniels was added to their roster.[35] He rejoined the team for the 2020–21 season.[36]

On July 18, 2021, McDaniels signed with Formosa Taishin Dreamers of the P. League+ and the ASEAN Basketball League.[37] However, he left the team before both seasons have started.

NLEX Road Warriors (2021–2022)

In November 2021, McDaniels signed with NLEX Road Warriors of the Philippine Basketball Association.[38]

Killer 3's (2022)

On May 25, 2022, McDaniels was drafted by the Killer 3's with the eighteenth overall pick of the 2022 BIG3 draft.[39]

Meralco Bolts (2022–present)

On October 31, 2022, McDaniels signed with the Meralco Bolts of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) to replace Johnny O'Bryant III as the team's import for the 2022–23 PBA Commissioner's Cup.[40] In December 2022, he returned with the team as their import for the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup.[41]

NBA career statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2014–15 Philadelphia 521525.4.399.293.7563.81.3.81.39.2
2014–15 Houston 1003.3.333.000.500.5.2.0.21.1
2015–16 Houston 3716.4.403.280.8001.1.3.2.22.4
2016–17 Houston 2907.3.454.333.9001.0.1.2.32.8
2016–17 Brooklyn 20014.7.455.282.8212.6.5.6.56.3
Career 1481614.1.412.290.7762.2.6.5.65.3

Playoffs
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2016 Houston 408.5.308.333.0001.8.3.0.82.3
Career 408.5.308.333.0001.8.3.0.82.3

Personal life

McDaniels is the son of Kevin and Shawn McDaniels,[42] and has a younger brother named Dylan.[43] He was also a college major of Communication Studies.

References
  1. Herbert, James (June 24, 2014). "2014 NBA Draft: K.J. McDaniels, overlooked as usual". CBS Sports. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  2. "K. J. McDaniels Recruiting Profile". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  3. "K. J. McDaniels CBSSports.com profile". CBSSports.com. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  4. "Clemson's McDaniels named ACC defensive player of the year". GoUpstate.com. March 11, 2014. Archived from the original on August 9, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  5. "Clemson rallies past Belmont, advances to NIT semifinals". CBSSports.com. March 25, 2014. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  6. Feldman, Dan (April 22, 2014). "Report: Clemson's K.J. McDaniels to declare for NBA draft". NBCSports.com. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  7. "Sixers Select McDaniels, Grant, Micic in the Second Round of the 2014 NBA Draft". NBA.com. June 27, 2014. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  8. Rappaport, Max (July 4, 2014). "Orlando Pro Summer League: Schedule And Roster". NBA.com. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  9. "Sixers Announce 2014 Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. September 29, 2014. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  10. Pompey, Keith (October 1, 2014). "Rookie K.J. McDaniels a no-show at 76ers camp". Philly.com. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  11. Wojnarowski, Adrian (October 1, 2014). "Philadelphia's K.J. McDaniels takes bold approach to rookie deal". Yahoo.com. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  12. Mahoney, Rob (December 9, 2014). "Meet 76ers rookie K.J. McDaniels, the unsung shot-blocking natural". SI.com. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  13. "Chandler leads Mavericks over 76ers 110-103". NBA.com. November 29, 2014. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  14. "Rockets Acquire K.J. McDaniels and Pablo Prigioni". NBA.com. February 19, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  15. "KJ McDaniels injury update: Non-displaced right elbow fracture". Chron.com. April 17, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
  16. "Rockets Re-Sign K.J. McDaniels". NBA.com. July 21, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  17. Feigen, Jonathan (July 19, 2015). "Rockets agree with KJ McDaniels on three-year deal". Chron.com. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  18. "Harden's 41 lead Rockets past Thunder 118-110". NBA.com. April 3, 2016. Archived from the original on April 6, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  19. "2015-16 NBA Assignments". NBA.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2015. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
  20. "BROOKLYN NETS ACQUIRE K.J. MCDANIELS". NBA.com. February 23, 2017. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  21. "Nets beat Suns 126-98 for 1st two-game win streak of season". ESPN.com. March 23, 2017. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  22. "Raptors Sign K.J. McDaniels". NBA.com. August 22, 2017. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
  23. "K.J. McDaniels: Waived by Raptors". cbssports.com. October 22, 2017. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  24. "KJ McDaniels to play with Grand Rapids Drive". Sportando.com. December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  25. Trail Blazers Exact Summer League Revenge over Lakers in Las Vegas Championship
  26. Thunder Adds Alford, Gaddy, McDaniels and Solomon to Training Camp Roster
  27. "Thunder Waives Three". NBA.com. October 10, 2018. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  28. "Oklahoma City Blue Announces Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. October 23, 2018. Archived from the original on July 5, 2020. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  29. "OKC Blue - Stockton Kings 124-89". Eurobasket. November 2, 2018. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  30. "OKC Blue - Agua Caliente Clippers 128-118". Eurobasket. November 4, 2018. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  31. Ramos, Gerry (August 17, 2019). "TnT Katropa taps another ex-Rocket in KJ McDaniels as Governors Cup import". Spin.ph. Retrieved August 17, 2019.
  32. Go, Beatrice (September 25, 2019). "McDaniels erupts for 41 as TNT dominates Blackwater". Rappler. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  33. Terrado, Reuben (September 28, 2019). "KJ McDaniels sustains fine play as TNT blasts ROS for share of lead". SPIN.ph. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  34. Trujillo, Justin (February 22, 2020). "Greensboro Completes Trade With Oklahoma City". NBA.com. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  35. Trujillo, Justin (February 28, 2020). "Greensboro Swarm Adds KJ McDaniels To Roster". NBA.com. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  36. "Greensboro Announces Roster For Single-Site In Orlando". NBA.com. January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  37. "P.LEAGUE+: Dreamers Sign Ex-NBA Swingman KJ McDaniels". AsiaPacificHoops.com. July 18, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  38. "TNT, Meralco, 3 others to introduce new imports". pba.ph. November 3, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  39. "2022 BIG3 Draft Recap". BIG3. May 26, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  40. Terrado, Reuben (October 31, 2022). "Meralco bringing in former NLEX import KJ McDaniels as O'Bryant replacement". spin.ph. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  41. Dy, Richard (December 28, 2022). "Meralco brings back KJ McDaniels". The Manila Times. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  42. Herbert, James (June 24, 2014). "2014 NBA Draft: K.J. McDaniels, overlooked as usual". CBSSports.com. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  43. Lelinwalla, Mark (January 9, 2015). "K.J. MCDANIELS HAS AN INTERESTING BET GOING WITH HIS MOTHER AND IT INVOLVES CASH AND TWITTER". TriangleOffense.com. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
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