Michigan basketball found its point guard when Dug McDaniel pledged a few weeks back, committing to U-M over Florida and others. Head coach Juwan Howard had a few aces up his sleeve in Hunter Dickinson and Terrance Williams, two Wolverines from McDaniel's area.
In fact, both played with the same AAU program, and McDaniel would call both of them friends.
“They definitely did [influence my decision],” McDaniel said during an interview with Capitol Hoops recently. “I’ve spoken to Hunter on the phone, Terrance was there during the tour the whole time just telling me good things about it. Even though he didn't get as many minutes as he wished, he still was positive and encouraging about the school, so that really showed a lot and helped me make my decision.”
McDaniel's Michigan recruitment had been a roller coaster, with U-M thought to have a strong lead due to previous ties. McDaniel has said Howard was like an uncle to him, but there were also rumblings that Frankie Collins' (2021 point guard pledge) commitment might have made him hesitate.
He got all his questions answered on his June 16 visit to Ann Arbor, though, deciding he'd found what he was looking for.
"It felt like it as a good decision. It felt like home," he said. "Me and my family sat down before we had the meeting and we just decided, 'why wait? Why waste the opportunity at hand?'
"We decided to commit and take the opportunity, so we can start the process early. Coach Howard is a great dude. I feel like I can trust him. We have a personal relationship, so I feel like he'll let me do me, find guys on my own. Also, he can coach me and give me experience; give me tips. He played at the next level, so that type of information and stuff is key."
He can't wait to get started, even knowing he won't be on campus for another year.
"It means a lot. Expectations are definitely higher for me now," he said. "I have to work on my leadership skills. Mike Smith great leader, great player, so I just have to follow behind him, follow his footsteps ... just practice on the stuff now so when I get there, I'll be ahead of my time and prepared."
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