SDSU BASKETBALL'S JALEN MCDANIELS SELECTED BY CHARLOTTE HORNETS IN NBA DRAFT

McDaniels is taken in the second round, 52nd overall

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

June 20, 2019 (New York) - Former San Diego State men's basketball player Jalen McDaniels has been selected by the Charlotte Hornets in the second round (52nd overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft Thursday night at Barclays Center.  

The forward from Federal Way, Wash., is the first Aztec since Xavier Thames in 2014 to be taken in the NBA Draft. The two-time All-Mountain West performer is also the 24th Aztec in school history to be taken in the annual event. In the Brian Dutcher era, McDaniels is the fifth player selected following Randy Holcomb in 2002, Kawhi Leonard in 2011, Jamaal Franklin in 2013 and the aforementioned Thames. Dutcher has now coached 19 NBA draft picks, which includes his time as an assistant coach.

McDaniels joins a Charlotte team that finished the 2018-19 season with a 39-43 record, ninth in the Eastern Conference and two games out of the playoffs.

During his sophomore season, McDaniels led SDSU in rebounds (281), rebounds average (8.3) defensive rebounds (214), field goals (212), field goal attempts (455) and steals (38).  He was second on the team in total points (541) and scoring average (15.9).  

In 67 career games, 55 of which were starts including all 34 in 2018-19, McDaniels scored in double figures 48 times and broke the 20-point barrier nine times. He had 22 double-digit rebounding efforts which resulted in 20 career double doubles. He scored a career-high 30 points against UNLV on Jan. 26, 2019 and grabbed 15 rebounds at Illinois State (12-1-19), also a career high.

Following the 2018-19 season, McDaniels was a National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) District 17 first-team selection as well as a second-team honoree from both the Mountain West coaches and media members.

For his Aztec career, McDaniels averaged 13.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 67 games.  He led SDSU to the championship game of the Mountain West Tournament in both his seasons on The Mesa, winning the championship in 2017-18 to earn the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.  

Also drafted from East County was Foothills Christian alum Jaylen Hands (right, on right), who was drafted with the second round, 56th pick.