Tarkanian Classic: Five-star Jaden McDaniels discusses recruitment

LAS VEGAS -- Top five senior Jaden McDaniels hasn't made his college decision and appears to be in no hurry to do so.

Before discussing the latest with his recruitment -- he's down to Kentucky, San Diego State, Texas, UCLA and Washington -- McDaniels and his teammates at Federal Way (Wash.) High had to take care of business and dispatch Oakland (Calif.) Bishop O'Dowd in the first round of the Tarkanian Classic.

McDaniels was severely limited by early foul trouble (and some tough whistles) but said in games like that he can find other ways to help.

"I was just trying to on the bench and stay in the game," said McDaniels. "I was just trying to hype my teammates up and be a good teammate. I was just being energized and it felt like I was in the game even though I was on the bench."

McDaniels has completed visits to all five of his finalists and he broke down what stood out with each of them.

On the process in general: "It's going good. Having good relationships with coaches and just talking to coaches every day and they check up on me.

"All the visits, they went pretty good. I had a good time on all of them. Everybody treated me well. It was just a good experience to be in different states that I hadn't been before and just seeing different places."

Kentucky: "Just the way they practice, you can't really explain it. Coach (John) Calipari told me it was uptempo and it was."

San Diego State: "It was super fun just being with my brother (sophomore Jalen McDaniels) and knowing everybody because my brother went there. So it was just like a big family."

Texas: "Everything at Texas, the people are die hard fans. The coaches, we have a good relationship and they were just showing me around."

UCLA: "It went pretty well. I got to go to one of their games and they blew a team out and then I got to hang with the coaches and the players after, it was really fun."

Washington: "Washington too is like a huge family. It's just right up the street, so I just drove up there and had a good time with the coaches and the players."

Though he has taken all of his official visits and feels like he has strong relationships across the board, McDaniels hasn't felt any need to pull the trigger on a commitment and he's not in any hurry to do so and doesn't have any plans to take any unofficial visits during the season.

Washington and San Diego State have often been talked about as potential destinations because of his relationships with each program. But, Kentucky seems to be turning things up more and you can't ever count out Calipari and the Wildcats.

McDaniels himself gave no hints about any leanings and it sounds like he's going to focus his attention on his teammates and his senior season.

"I'm really just focused on basketball," said McDaniels. "I don't really think about recruiting at all. When I have time I'll think about it but right now I'm only really worried about the season."