D.J. McDonald dishes on UC Riverside commitment and improvements to his game
Alemany’s D.J. McDonald has been one of Southern California’s best shooters over the last three years.
The sharpshooting 5-foot-10 guard has hit 196 career 3-pointers at the high school level, but if anything was made clear at the Ron Massey Fall Hoops Classic, it’s that McDonald will have to take on more of a leadership role with the Warriors this season.
“We just need to get in the gym,” he said of what improvements Alemany needs to make before the season begins. “We only had three practices before this and if we get in the gym and recreate that chemistry we had, fine tune everything and stop making little mistakes, we’ll be all right.”
McDonald cut his teeth as a leader while playing with the West Coast Elite Under Armour club team over the last couple of summers.
He noted that playing at the highest level of competition on the UA circuit has prepped him to help his Alemany teammates when things may not be going right.
“We played against a lot of top competition, a lot of five-stars, and it made me feel comfortable knowing that I could hang with those five-stars,” McDonald said. “For me it boosted my confidence and let me know that I can play with anyone and help my teammates.”
There is one area of McDonald’s game that he’s not quite as confident in as he is in his ability to shoot the basketball.
“I need to work on my in-between game,” he said. “Floaters and being able to throw lobs at a better percentage. I turn the ball over a little too much for me and of course I need to get stronger because everyone is going to be bigger and stronger at the next level.”
D.J. McDonald has drained 196 career 3-pointers while wearing an Alemany uniform.The next level for McDonald will be in the Big West Conference as he committed to play for the Highlanders of UC Riverside on July 17.
He noted the relationship he made with the UCR coaching staff as the biggest reason he chose that school.
“Really just the relationship I have with the coaching staff,” McDonald said. “I have to thank coach [Justin] Bell for that. He made me feel loved and who doesn’t want to go somewhere where they are wanted?
“I feel like being there for four years will benefit me as a person and as a basketball player, as well,” he added. “I’m glad I made that decision.”
UC Riverside should be enthralled that McDonald made that decision, too.
There’s a premium on skill players, guys who can stretch the floor from 3-point range, and interchangeable backcourts that create mismatch problems.
McDonald believes that the guard-tandem of him and D.K. Martin will be a formidable one for the two years they play together.
“They like my composure, how I handle the ball and how I’m able to create for others,” McDonald said. “The current guard there, D.K. Martin, they said he’s looking for an outlet, so I’m looking to come in and fill that role. We can help get each other shots and we’ll fit into that system.”