In the heart of San Diego, Kansas men’s basketball is gearing up to face the Cal Baptist Lancers, and all eyes are on one standout player: Dominique Daniels Jr. This senior guard is not just any scorer; he's a force to be reckoned with, and Kansas knows it.
Coach Bill Self summed it up perfectly: “Well, he's good. And he can score on anybody, any level.
He's capable of getting 30, 35 any night.” That’s high praise, and Daniels has earned it.
Averaging 23.2 points per game, he’s fifth in the nation, and his style is unique compared to the other top scorers Kansas has encountered this season.
Kansas has already faced some heavy hitters, including freshmen sensations AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer, as well as the seasoned PJ Haggerty. But Daniels brings a different kind of challenge.
Standing at 5-foot-10 with a solid build, he combines athleticism with a low center of gravity, making him a nightmare for defenses. His ability to drive and shoot off the dribble is a testament to his versatility.
“He is so downhill and he's a good shooter, without question,” Self noted. “But his speed and strength and shiftiness make it hard to switch, makes it hard to hedge without being split.” Daniels keeps defenses on their toes, applying pressure with every possession.
What’s particularly impressive is that of his 61 three-pointers this season, less than half were assisted. And for someone his size, taking 42.1% of his shots at the rim is remarkable.
Kansas guard Elmarko Jackson acknowledges the threat: “He’s an elite scorer. We gotta take him serious.
We’ve all watched the film, we know the player he is, so not gonna take him lightly.”
Helping Kansas prepare is graduate guard Nginyu Ngala. Though a bench player, Ngala’s experience and similar build make him the perfect stand-in for Daniels during practice.
“Mainly just his speed and stocky build,” Ngala explained. “Attacking the bigs, giving them an idea what it’d look like for a smaller guard to attack their hip, and showing the three ball, trying to play to his quickness around screens.”
Coach Self appreciates Ngala’s efforts but knows it’s not a perfect match. “He can't simulate it as apples to apples, but he did a good job,” Self said. “We basically told them, if Gee [Ngala] gets a shot off, whether it goes in or not, it's not good enough, because we've got to limit his good touches and his good looks.”
As Kansas braces for the matchup, they know they’re in for a test. Dominique Daniels Jr. isn’t just another player; he’s a game-changer, and the Jayhawks are ready for the challenge.