ACCBR’s Top Returning ACC Players: #21 Devon Daniels

Happy Saturday everyone! We wrap up the first week of the countdown with the #21 player on the list, North Carolina State wing Devon Daniels.

2018-19 was Daniels’ first season in the ACC after transferring from Utah following his freshman campaign. Expectations were high after he averaged 9.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, while shooting 57% from the field for the good Coach K in Salt Lake City. He wasn’t bad in his first season in Raleigh, but the transfer up was evident as his efficiency numbers all regressed, while his counting statistics remained about the same.

Despite the shooting numbers from last season, Daniels is one of only four returning players in the ACC that averaged 9 points, 4 rebounds and 1.5 assists last season. He had 17 double digit scoring games in 2018-19, during which the Wolfpack boasted a record of 13-4.

As shown in the videos, Daniels is a capable scorer in all facets of the the game. He can shoot it or get to the rack in the half court, and he loves to get out and run. Even though he is a capable shooter, I believe he would be more effective if he gets back to going to the rim more often. In 2018-19, he attempted a triple per every 7.1 minutes played. That number is a steep increase from his freshman season during which he attempted a triple once every 22 minutes played. Some of that increase can be attributed to coaching style, but I think Devon’s wheelhouse is somewhere in between. The Pack have capable shooters around him, which should open up lanes for Devon to get to the hoop and the free throw line.

North Carolina State is once again loaded on the wing, so it will be interesting to see how Coach Keatts deploys his assets and where Daniels fits in. I don’t foresee a decline in his minutes per game, but if he can bring his efficiency numbers back to the 2016-17 level, he could be one of the most impactful players in the conference.

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