Recruiting Report: Daniel Corley (2019)
Post grad programs are full of kids who are under the radar and need a chance to prove themselves. At Massanutten Military Academy, the Colonels start five players that all have division one offers now, but they aren’t the only division one guys on the team.
Starting the season as the sixth man, 6’6″ wing Daniel Corley out of Baltimore is exactly one of those kids. The Baltimore native had a good high school career and looked to show division one programs that he’s worthy of a scholarship and that he can play at that level. Everything didn’t go as planned though, as Corley found himself on the bench early in the season, but like many kids there he had nothing to do but go to class and work on his game.
After a hand injury to starting power forward Jarvis Vaughan a few weeks ago, Corley’s work ethic paid off and the coaches gave him a chance in the starting lineup. He didn’t disappoint, and the Colonels have been on a roll ever since he stepped up and has played more. He says the transition for both the team and himself have gone as well as could be so far.
“Everything is going smoothly, we continue to move the ball more and make each other better,” he said.
While Corley isn’t as big as the 6’8″ Vaughan is in the post, he still has great length and size on the wing. With him in the lineup, Massanutten’s starting lineup ranges from 6’3″ to 6’9″, with only 6’9″ Mahamadou Diawara being a true big man on the team. This allows them to play fast, switch everything and be very difficult for teams to matchup with because of their size and skill set.
“I think I bring a little more versatility and speed to the lineup with me in there,” Corley said about his transition into the starting lineup.
Coaches are starting to take notice of Corley, and anyone in need of a wing with big upside should take a look at him. He says that UMES, VMI, Quinnipiac and Marist are among the schools who are recruiting him, and he’s just looking for an opportunity to come in somewhere he’s wanted and make as much of an impact as he can.
“I’m looking for a school that will let me play my game and a school that I can provide right away,” he said. “I bring toughness, competitiveness and a will to get better every day.”
With his length and ability to guard multiple positions at the next level already, Corley is a guy coaches should be flocking to the gym to see. With the way his coaches have said he’s improved over the last few months is another good sign moving forward, as he should continue to improve in college.
“Daniel is a long and athletic wing with an evolving offensive game,” Massanutten Head Coach Chad Myers said. “He competes everyday in practice and is becoming a much better 1 on 1 guy. He is showing that he can get to the rim with his length and shiftiness while being able to knock down threes. He is a late bloomer with a huge upside.”
If you’re a college coach, Corley isn’t the only Colonel to keep an eye on, as they have five or six other division one caliber players who haven’t committed to schools either. Massanutten will be taking on Huntington Prep’s Post Grad team on Saturday at the Chance Harman Classic in Floyd County. It’s a must see event for anyone in the area so come out this weekend for some great basketball!