Prospect Spotlight: JD Daughtry (2019)
Bartow continues to be a steady program in Polk County.
2019 point guard JD Daughtry is the driving force for the Yellow Jackets offense. A year ago, Bartow went 16-12, losing in the region quarterfinals 51-50 to Wharton.
The 5’9″, 155-pounder called his junior year, his coming out season on the court.
“It was the year to show people that I could play because as a sophomore I was playing behind TJ Harvin the point guard at Lincoln Memorial,” Daughtry told Prep Hoops. “I really loved that year because I was able to play with my brothers we been through so much together as a team we never gave up when we were down and we always fought and I always had fun around them.
My confidence started growing the first two games of the season at Dr. Phillips which was like a jamboree. I was scoring the ball, getting my team involved, bringing energy and playing defense basically bringing my whole game together.”
This summer he’s focused on playing with his high school team in summer leagues and practices to further the chemistry.
No offers have come yet for the rising senior, but he says he’s out to prove to people that he can play no matter what his size or height is, it is all about heart.
Daughtry pointed to his biggest strengths as his ability to get his team involved, his scoring, defense and overall energy. He’s aiming to become an elite scorer and to improve at his finish over taller defenders.
When watching Bartow basketball, it is clear that Daughtry is the engine of his offense and overall intensity. He’s a sound point man who likes to get things done on his own or help others around him. His pace in sets and in transition are always there.
Photo credit: Joe Freeman Visuals