Five-star junior enjoying the recruiting process
For some of the nation's top prospects the recruiting process can be a grind. Not for five-star junior Daniel Giddens, though, he's rather enjoying it.
A product of Marietta (Ga.) Wheeler and the No. 14 ranked player in the class of 2015, Giddens was all over the map during the summer. It was his first time really hitting the scene as a known quantity and he also loved the chance to play for his country.
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"The biggest highlight of the summer was making the USA Team," Giddens told Rivals.com. "That's a blessing really. I worked the hardest I've worked in my life to make that team. There was a lot of preparation and a lot of sacrifices to make that team.
"I really got a chance to see where my game was this summer. It was a summer of getting over hurdles and working for improvement. It was my first time with a target on my back"
Standing 6-foot-10 with long arms and a solid frame, Giddens can be an imposing presence in the post. He runs the floor, rebounds and can play physically around the rim. But that doesn't mean he is satisfied.
"I'm comfortable in the post and going to the hole," said Giddens. "I've worked on my ball handling and taking people from the high post. I'm really trying to transform my game to a power forward for the next level."
Considered an above average defender and a rim protector, Giddens also feels he has room to improve on the defensive end.
"I'm always going to have work to do," said Giddens. "The shot blocking is good but playing against big guys I still need to work on my timing more."
Given his size and ability, it is no surprise that Giddens has college coaches drooling. He is very careful to point out that he is wide open and he doesn't yet have a list even though schools like Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kansas, Louisville, Texas, UCLA and other ACC, Big 12 and SEC programs.
Giddens knows that he has to start narrowing things down to a manageable number and that's normally where the stress kicks in for prospects. Not for Giddens though, he has a support system around him that allows him to enjoy the journey.
"It's been pretty smooth because my parents are controlling my recruitment," said Giddens. "I'm going to start trimming the list down by November and hopefully get a top 10.
"Some people say it is a stressful process but it has been really smooth for me because of my family and the people in my corner."
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