OUTSTANDING PLAYER: BOYS BASKETBALL

WHY HE WON:

At 6-11, 225 pounds, El Dorado High School senior center Daniel Gafford stuffed the stat sheet and struck fear into the opponent every time he took the floor last season. He helped lead the Wildcats to a 28-5 record, a conference title and a spot in the 6A state-championship game, which earned him the title of 2017 All-Arkansas Preps Player of the Year in Boys Basketball. Along the way, Gafford averaged 17.4 points per game, 16 rebounds per game and an astounding 7.7 blocks per game, which solidified him as one of the top high school shot blockers in the nation. He put up these impressive numbers with efficiency, shooting 70 percent from the floor. El Dorado head basketball coach Gary Simmons said Gafford has overcome a lot of adversity in his life to get to where he is today. Simmons said he has enjoyed watching Gafford and his teammates play hard during their time at El Dorado. “It has been an amazing ride, not just with him but with his team as well,” Simmons said. “Gafford broke the school’s rebound record again and was one of the leaders in the nation in blocks,” the coach said. Simmons added that he believes if Gafford’s work ethic remains the same, he could see some time in the NBA. Gafford has had the opportunity to participate in the National Basketball Players Association Top 100, which is a premier basketball camp for the nation’s elite high school basketball players. He also played in the Nike Peach Jam with the Arkansas Wings in 2015. Unlike many future collegiate basketball players, Gafford got his start in the sport later in life. “I started playing basketball in the eighth grade,” he said. “Everybody was telling me that I should give it a try, and I’ve just been getting better ever since.” Before deciding to play basketball, Gafford’s father, Wayne, said Daniel was in the marching band, playing the drums and clarinet, and played the drums and keyboard at church. Wayne said Daniel’s success has not allowed him to grow boastful and that he believes Daniel will thrive in his future occupation. “He has the traits of a good counselor — his humility, his ability to analyze the situation and react to it in a positive and God-like manner,” Wayne said. “He’s a people person. He helps in every way he can to bring about a solution to whatever situation or negative situation is before him. He works well with others.” Wayne is even impressed to see his son’s basketball prowess grow and is glad to see the young man Daniel has become. “I’m amazed at the level of proficiency and the level of skill he has earned over these past four years,” Wayne said. “I’m not living through my son; I’m living because of my son. He’s a great kid, and he’s got great potential, and I’m blessed to be his father.” Daniel has signed to play basketball at the University of Arkansas, where he will pursue a career in psychology and counseling, he said.

It means a lot because out of all those good players they had in there with me, I got chosen for that award. It’s just a real honor.”