Daniels article in the BG News!

[Metz]

http://tinyurl.com/ypkkcq

Remember why you play. That's the message written on one of Antonio Daniels' wristbands. The former BG basketball standout will never forget why he plays, but it's always good to have a reminder.

"I've got these on for a reason," he said.

Eleven years ago, Daniels was awakened in the early morning by then BG coach Jim Larranaga and made the long drive to Dayton. The reason - his brother Chris had died of a rhythmic cardiac event.

"That's who I play for."

Chris, a senior at the University of Dayton, shared his brother's dream of one day making it to the NBA and was rather close to making it a reality. He had the nation's second-best shooting percentage and was a serious NBA draft prospect.

That dream would now have to be lived through Antonio.

At the time, Daniels was a junior at BG. He was moving up quickly on the all-time scoring list for the University. The situation was hard, but Daniels had a lot of support.

"As an emotional of a time as that was for me, with the help of a lot of people throughout the country we got through it," Daniels said. "Coach Larranaga was a big part of that."

That's when Daniels decided to take his game to another level to make sure the dream he'd shared with Chris came true.

It was very clear at that point that Antonio Daniels was playing for something more than himself.

"He was a demanding player, he wanted the best of everyone," said former teammate Kirk Cowan. "Even when I was a freshman and not a lot was expected of me- he demanded more."

Seven days after Chris' passing, the Falcons had a home game against future NBA player Earl Boykins and Eastern Michigan University.

"Antonio had not eaten or slept in quite awhile," Larranaga said.

His body may have been weak, but Daniels exceeded many expectations that night. He scored 20 points and dished out five assists. But, Daniels' best moment came at the end of the game.

After Boykins hit a three-pointer with 9.8 seconds left to tie the game, Daniels took the ball the length of the court and made a lay-up with four seconds left to give the Falcons a 72-70 victory.

"He played a tremendous game," Larranaga said. "In terms of a memory, that one will stay with me for a very long time."

The next year Daniels translated the passion for success that he shared with his brother into a great senior season. He averaged 24 points, seven assists and two steals. He was well on his way to the next level when he was awarded the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year Award.

In his final game as a Falcon, Daniels put together one of the best performances that BG fans have ever seen.

The Falcons faced West Virginia in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament and the game turned into a shootout. Daniels led all scorers with 38 points, a career high. He also had eight assists and six steals and went 14-of-23 from the field.

The Falcons lost the game 98-95, ending Daniels' college career, but his teammates knew he put every ounce of energy he had into the game.

"That was just another game where he did everything he could to try and make us win," Cowan said.

The game moved Daniels into second place on BG's all-time scoring list and he was ultimately rewarded when the Vancouver Grizzlies took him as the fourth overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft.

The dream he and his brother shared their whole lives had finally come true. He used the tragic event as motivation to succeed.

"That made me grow up a lot faster than I wanted to but that's a part of life," Daniels said. "I had to use that to make a positive."

As the No. 4 pick in the draft, Daniels became the second highest draft pick in school history. The only player selected higher was NBA Hall-of-Famer Nate Thurmond at No. 3.

In his first year in the league, Daniels' numbers were substantial for a rookie. He started 50 games for the Grizzlies and averaged eight points and 4.5 assists per game. Daniels learned a lot that season.

"That first year in the league is eye opening. That's why I can understand when they say, 'kids need to go to college' at least for a year," Daniels said. "I couldn't imagine going in right out of high school."

The Grizzlies won just 19 games that season. Daniels felt like the team had support, they just could not win.

"We actually had a good following," he laughed. "We weren't good but we had people watching us."

Daniels was traded after the 1997-98 season to the San Antonio Spurs, where he found his eventual role as an energy player coming off the bench behind veteran Avery Johnson.

After spending four years in San Antonio, Daniels was traded to the Portland Trailblazers for a season.

Before the 2003-04 season Antonio signed with Seattle where he averaged 9.6 points per game over the next two seasons and became one of the league's top reserves.

The two stellar seasons in Seattle helped him land a five-year deal with the Washington Wizards worth $30 million.

Now in his ninth NBA season, Daniels plays a much different role for the Wizards. Rather than be his team's main option like he was at BG, Daniels comes off the bench for instant offense and a spark on both sides of the ball.

"He's coming off the bench controlling the game, controlling the tempo, making plays on defense, on offense," said Wizards teammate Gilbert Arenas. "He's doing all of the little things you don't see on the stat sheet."

For Daniels, the NBA has been a great opportunity to grow. He has made the most of all of his opportunities and enjoys what he does.

"That's what my life has transformed into," Daniels said. "I have the best job in the world. I had a hell of a time playing at Bowling Green, but I had to move on."

Daniels still follows the BG basketball program as much as he can, but more importantly he maintains a close relationship with his former coach Jim Larranaga. Fate reunited the two friends in the nation's capital in 2005 when he signed with Washington. Larranaga coaches at George Mason University which is 22 miles from the Verizon Center where the Wizards play.

"I go down and watch the Wizards play whenever my schedule will allow it and Antonio and his wife have been to several of our George Mason games when the Wizards have had some time off," Larranaga said.

Life has been good for the former Falcon. He is content with his current situation.

"Being here with these guys - a great group of guys. It's a team I love to play on," Daniels said.

Although he may not always appear to be a game-changer on the stat sheet, Daniels has the respect of players around the league for what he does.

"People that understand the game understand what his role is out there," said Detroit guard Flip Murray, who played with Daniels in Seattle. "He has fire and leadership out there, he's a floor general out there on the court."

Daniels remains a hard worker. Is he still as demanding?

"Always."

And he'll always remember why he plays.

[NY-BG-FAN]

Awesome article...thanks for posting that. Because of the "snow day," I probably would've missed it in the BG News today from not being on campus....glad I didn't!

[TG1996]

Reading about how he tore up his senior season with such an emotional weight is always awesome.

Great to see some of the love he's getting from current and former teammates, too.