The Topeka Capital-Journal

Tang says point guard McDaniel is key pickup

- Arne Green Topeka Capital-Journal USA TODAY NETWORK

MANHATTAN — It didn’t take Kansas State basketball coach Jerome Tang and his staff long to zero in on former Michigan guard Dug McDaniel in the transfer portal.

McDaniel, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound sophomore from Washington, D.C., entered the portal on March 18, visited KState last weekend and on Wednesday committed to the Wildcats. K-State made it official by announcing his signing Thursday afternoon.

“It’s always a great day to be a Wildcat but even better when you get to welcome a player like Dug and his family to K-State,” Tang said in a statement. “Obviously, he’s a tremendous­ly skilled basketball player with a history of winning at both Paul VI and Team Takeover.

“When you combine that with playing two years in the Big Ten at Michigan it made him a priority for us as soon as he became available.”

McDaniel fills an immediate need for the Wildcats, who lost its top two scorers from last year in guards Tylor Perry and Cam Carter. Perry, who averaged 15.3 points and 4.4 assists, was out of eligibilit­y, while Carter (14.6 ppg) is transferri­ng to LSU.

McDaniel led Michigan in both scoring this past season with 16.3 points per game and assists with 4.7, as well as in 3-point field goals with 56 and steals with an average of 1.1. He shot 36.8% from 3-point range.

Michigan fired head coach Juwan Howard after a disappoint­ing 8-24 season, but McDaniel was a standout nonetheles­s. He missed six Big Ten road games over academic concerns but started the other 26.

“Dug is not only a high-level scorer with the ability to create for his teammates, but a tough, relentless player who can also be a disruptor on the defensive end,” Tang said. “Our fans are going to really enjoy getting to know him and his family.”

McDaniel could step into the lineup immediatel­y at guard alongside Dai Dai Ames. Ames started the last 13 games as a true freshman. K-State also has signed a highly regarded high school guard in David Castillo from Bartlesvil­le, Oklahoma, and Sunrise Christian Academy near Wichita.

With the addition of McDaniel, the Wildcats have four scholarshi­ps yet to give. In addition to Perry and Carter, they lost center Will McNair and guard Taymont Lindsey to graduation and starting center Jerrell Colbert and guard Dorian Finister to the transfer portal.

K-State finished with a 19-15 record in 2023-24, capped by a first-round loss to Iowa in the NIT. It likely will dip into the portal for several more veteran transfers with the most pressing needs in the post and with a proven scorer and 3-point threat at a wing.

Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.

 ?? ?? Former Michigan guard Dug McDaniel celebrates a 3-point basket against Nebraska last month. McDaniel has signed to play for Kansas State next season.
Former Michigan guard Dug McDaniel celebrates a 3-point basket against Nebraska last month. McDaniel has signed to play for Kansas State next season.

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