Prospect Spotlight: Tim Dalger (2019)
Heading into his senior season, Tim Dalger is one of the integral components of the Calvary Christian basketball team.
The 6-foot-6 swingman was a member of the Eagles’ 2016-17 state championship squad, which he lists as his favorite basketball memory.
“It was amazing. There’s no other feeling like it,” Dalger said. “To know that all the hours and practicing paid off made it all worth it.”
Dalger, who is currently playing with Ball4lyfe United this summer, would love to cap his career with another state title.
In the district, Calvary Christian will have to go through last season’s state champions (University School), which boasts the No. 1 2018 player (6-foot-10 center Vernon Carey) and No. 5 2019 player (6-foot-7 power forward Scottie Barnes) in the Prep Hoops rankings.
To embrace the challenge, Dalger is doing all he can this summer to improve as an individual.
“I’m working to be more consistent with my jump shot and become more of a leader,” Dalger said. “I’m doing this by being in the gym as much as possible to prepare for these live periods this month.”
Dalger is a jack-of-all trades that Cilk McSweeney can deploy in a variety of ways.
“I can do a little bit of everything. I’m a winner,” Dalger said. “I’ll do anything to get the job done, whether it’s scoring, shooting, defending, rebounding, putting the ball on the deck and playmaking.”
Dalger patterns his style of play and demeanor after the 2014 NBA Finals MVP.
“I look up to Kawhi Leonard because he’s not about the things that don’t matter,” Dalger said. “He just handles his business on the floor and is a great defensive player.”
Dalger explains why he cherishes basketball so much and how it’s a positive way to channel his emotions.
“How it can get my mind off of anything and everything,” Dalger said. “It’s never done me wrong.”
Basketball is molding Dalger into the kind of man he wants to become off the court.
“It has taught me patience and hard work,” Dalger said. “These are things that are important not only in basketball.”
Dalger is an excellent teammate that has a lead by example mentality.
“I try to play for others and not myself,” Dalger said. “You will be good if you play for the people next to you.”
Dalger is appreciative to have coaches that want the best for him not just as a player but as a person too.
“They invest in me mentally by helping stay focused to reach my dream of D-1 basketball,” Dalger said. “The best advice I’ve gotten is to keep God in my life.”
Dalger currently holds offers from Stetson and James Madison. Other teams showing interest include USC upstate, Navy, Hartford, Radford, Mercer and Army West Point.
Dalger expects to make a decision by the end of July.
Regardless of where he winds up for college, the goals remain constant for Dalger.
“I honestly just want to be the best version of myself as possible and not worry about others,” Dalger said.