WATCH | NPC signs humble superstar McDaniel

Cutter Morning Star senior KJ McDaniel speaks at a ceremony where he signed his letter of intent to play college basketball for National Park College Thursday. - Photo by Lance Porter of The Sentinel-Record
Cutter Morning Star senior KJ McDaniel speaks at a ceremony where he signed his letter of intent to play college basketball for National Park College Thursday. - Photo by Lance Porter of The Sentinel-Record


Cutter Morning Star senior KJ McDaniel signed his letter of intent to play basketball for the National Park College Nighthawks Thursday at Eagle Arena.

The whole student body was in attendance for the event as all seniors were honored for signing to colleges, the armed forces and entering the workforce.

"My family," McDaniel said, "was extremely excited."

Cutter Morning Star head coach Beau Brickell said it is outstanding that McDaniel signed to play in college.

"I am just thrilled for him personally and for his family," Brickell said. "Anytime you get an opportunity to play at the next level is a really big accomplishment. I call him the humble superstar, and to coach somebody as humble and as coachable as he is, to see him get that opportunity, is just awesome."

Video not playing? Click here https://www.youtube.com/embed/v2T7eyzMHPE  

McDaniel is the second player in two years to sign to play college basketball from Cutter Morning Star. Hayden McDougal signed to play collegiately last year.

"The honest answer is you get really good facilities and you get a good administration in place that is confident in the people that they have and allow them to do their job," Brickell said. "Obviously, KJ was a transfer over here and to come over to little ole Cutter, a little ole 2A school and be able to get a college scholarship kind of creates that resurgence."

They are the first Eagles to play college basketball since 2017 with Chris Babb.

"I chose NPC because it is close to home," McDaniel said. "I really like the coaches, and I like their program. I like everything."

National Park head coach Dillon Hargrove was in attendance for signing day.

"KJ, we had a chance to watch him all year here," Hargrove said. "We just felt like KJ was one of the best players in the state as a senior. We love his length, we love his athleticism and his playmaking ability. We feel like he can play 1-5. He is just so versatile, and he really showed out his senior year.

"He just really caught our eye, and he is right in our backyard."

McDaniel is a 1,000 plus scorer in his two seasons for the Eagles.

"Like I said, super versatile player," Hargrove said. "I think he can defend 1-5, he can bring the basketball down, he is not going to be a selfish guy and he is a great teammate. I am just getting to know KJ, so I think he can bring a little bit more than even points. He can share the basketball for us, and he can really fit into us."

Offseason training is one of the utmost important things for players moving to the next level.

"He came to me a week ago," Brickell said. "I think it was one of those things when the season got over where he was just gassed. He was playing 30 to 31 minutes a game and he has been at it. He grinds and plays in the spring and summer. I said, 'Son, go be a kid for a little bit. Go do whatever you want to and take a little bit of time off,' and he came to me last week and said, 'I have taken my time and I am ready to get back in the gym.' I know he is going to be able to get to National Park this summer and work with the coaching staff there. He is always going to have access here with me at Cutter anytime he wants to come in and get better."

McDaniel averaged 20.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game as a senior.

"I knew the first day I saw him," Brickell said. "Honestly I knew he had the potential to play at the next level. We sat down and had a conversation and just told him what it was going to take. It is a lot of hard work, it is a commitment, it is a physical thing, but more than that it is a mental thing.

"I always tell my guys if you want to play college basketball I am going to coach you like a college basketball coach. KJ has had his neck hugged on and he has had his tail end chewed out a little bit. Man, he responds every time and he has just continued to grow, mature and I am proud of him."

Recruiting local talent boosts not only National Park's fan base but shows how good Garland County's crop of players truly is.

"It helps everything," Hargrove said. "Being able to recruit local guys brings in more fans, brings in more support and then being able to watch these guys grow and be able to leave a local college like National Park College and go to a bigger four-year college, I think just shows a lot of people that, 'Hey, this is a pretty good option for student-athletes here is Garland County.' It just helps us all-around."

McDaniel said scoring and helping his teammates are the best parts of his game.

"The best memory I am going to have was what he and his teammates were able to do for the program at Cutter Morning Star over the last two years," Brickell said. "If I had to pick one spot more than any would be at Mountain Pine this year."

The Eagles traveled to face the Red Devils and snuck out of there with a physical 59-58 win. McDaniel scored 38 points against rival Mountain Pine.

"He came in the huddle with five minutes to go in the fourth quarter," Brickell said. "He said, 'We are not losing,' and I thought he really took a step in the right direction with his leadership that day. That would probably be one amongst many that really stand out."

Playing college basketball is a dream for most, but few get to actually do it.

"I would tell the underclassmen you just got to work hard and chase your dream," McDaniel said. "And anything you put your mind to you can do. That is the impact I want to have on the kids here. I want them to look up to me, and I want them to want to chase my dreams. I want to be that role model for kids."


Upcoming Events