USA Basketball U16 Camp: Eric Dailey Jr. (2022)
Let me introduce you to Eric Dailey Jr. Because you won’t find the budding 6-foot-6, 200-pound 2022 prospect on any travel basketball roster. That is because his father Eric Dailey Sr., has a plan in place — one that keeps…
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Continue ReadingLet me introduce you to Eric Dailey Jr.
Because you won’t find the budding 6-foot-6, 200-pound 2022 prospect on any travel basketball roster.
That is because his father Eric Dailey Sr., has a plan in place — one that keeps the IMG Academy freshman a bit under wraps.
Instead of playing on any circuit, Dailey Sr. prefers to keep younger Eric “off the radar and developing.” Instead of all the traveling to play in All-Star games, the point-forward is putting up 1,000 shots in the gym and running hills. He even spent some time overseas playing against international competition.
“For me since a young age, since middle school, I haven’t been going to a lot of exposure camps or playing AAU,” Eric Dailey Jr. said Wednesday night while participating in USA Basketball’s U16 National Team Training Camp at University School in Davie. “So for me not doing those little steps and being here at this big event means a lot. So, I’ve got to show my all and do whatever I’ve got to do to make this team.”
Thirty of the top prospects in the nation from the Class of 2021 and 2022 — including five with Florida ties — are competing to make the 12-person U.S. roster that will compete at the FIBA Americas U16 Championships June 3-9 in Brazil. The finalists are scheduled to be selected Saturday after three days of practices in South Florida. The finalists will then continue to practice here until May 30 before heading to Brazil.
Dailey, of Bradenton, has been attending IMG since the sixth grade. This past season his father kept him on the Varsity Blue squad — one step below IMG’s national team — to ensure that he would develop, Eric Sr. said.
“At the ninth grade, he needs to get reps,” said Eric Sr., who goes 6-7 himself, is a trainer and played collegiately at TCU and professionally in Europe. “He’s got to experience different experiences in games so that he is ready.”
Dailey Jr. has responded. He averaged 18 points and 7 rebounds his freshman year.
“We went 27-4 I think,” he said. “We work hard every day, day in and day out, always pushing each other to be the best.
“I’m a point forward. I’m just a big guard. I like pushing the ball up the floor, passing it, getting my teammates involved. And also finishing, scoring and shooting 3s.”
Dailey has grown three inches in the past year. So far he has received letters from Texas, Iowa State and FAMU, he said.
Asked what factors will be most important to him in picking a college, he said: “My main factor is the coach. I’ve got to have a coach that wants me to do well and always wants me to get better.”
As for this week?
“Make the team,” Dailey said. “That is my big goal … make the team. Get myself better and make everybody around me better.”
If you have high school or travel basketball news, you can reach Pat Lammer via e-mail at PatALammer@Gmail.com