14 Erik Daniels

Erik Daniels was born Erik Christopher Daniels on April 1, 1982, in Lincoln Heights, Ohio, to Carmen and David Daniels.  Daniels was a southpaw known for his versatility and contributions to the University of Kentucky Wildcats during the early 2000s.

Daniels attended Princeton High School in Sharonville, Ohio. He lettered two years for the Vikings’ varsity squad, guiding Princeton to the 2000 sectional championship game and a 17-5 record.  He averaged 20.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, five assists, and 2.7 steals per game as a senior to lead the Vikings to the Greater Miami Conference Championship for the second time in three years.  He was a first-team All-Southwest Conference selection and an All-State pick.  Daniels grew nine inches during his high school career.  His basketball talent led to a scholarship offer from the  University of Kentucky.  He chose the Cats over Michigan, Temple and Clemson.

At Kentucky, Daniels, nicknamed “E-Diddy,” developed into a key player under coach Tubby Smith. Over four seasons, he played in 127 games, amassing 1,053 points (8.3 per game) and 520 rebounds (4.1 per game).  In his senior year, he emerged as the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 14.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.

As a freshman, Daniels played in every game but the season opener.  Daniels underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on October 10 and began practicing November 3.  His first collegiate appearance came one week later in the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden, where he played nine first-half minutes vs. UCLA, hitting three shots, including a three-pointer, and added one free throw to tally eight points and two rebounds.  He recalled that game years later as his most memorable.  He scored in double figures seven times and led the Cats in scoring twice.  Daniels shot 56.6% from the field and averaged 5.2 points per game.  He hit his first nine shots of his collegiate career over a three-game period.  Daniels scored a team-high 19 points in 22 minutes against Jacksonville State in his hometown of Cincinnati, hitting all three field goals and 12-of-14 free throws.  He followed up with a team-high 16 points against Penn State.  Daniels received the team’s Most Courageous Award for his successful return from injury.

As a sophomore, Daniels played in 29 games with one start at Florida.  He finished the regular season ranked fourth in the SEC in assist-to-turnover ratio: 2:1.  He compiled 36 assists and 19 turnovers as a sophomore to earn the team’s new Best Assist-to-Turnover Ratio award.  He recorded a career-high eight rebounds against Auburn, including five offensive boards.

As a junior, Daniels helped the Wildcats achieve an impressive 32–4 record, including an unblemished 16–0 mark in Southeastern Conference (SEC) play, securing both the SEC regular-season and tournament titles. Daniels’ versatility and efficiency were instrumental throughout the season. Appearing in 32 games and starting 28, he averaged 9.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. His shooting accuracy stood out, with a field goal percentage of 56.7%, reflecting his ability to convert scoring opportunities effectively.  The Wildcats entered the NCAA Tournament as the #1 seed in the Midwest Region. Daniels contributed significantly to the team’s advancement to the Elite Eight, where their season concluded with a loss to Marquette.  Daniels’ performance during his junior year showcased his development into a reliable and efficient player, setting the stage for a standout senior season.

Despite his individual success, Daniels never advanced beyond the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament. However, he did help Kentucky win three SEC Tournaments in 2001, 2002, and 2003. He was named to the First-Team All-SEC in the 2003-2004 season and finished his college career ranked 45th all-time in Kentucky’s scoring history with 1,053 points.

Despite going undrafted in the 2004 NBA Draft, Daniels signed with the Sacramento Kings, appearing in 21 games during the 2004–05 NBA season. He later played for the Fayetteville Patriots in the NBA Development League, averaging 17.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, earning All-NBDL Second Team honors in 2006.

Daniels’ international career included stints with teams such as Pallacanestro Biella in Italy, CB Girona in Spain, and Hapoel Gilboa Galil Elyon in Israel, where he won the Israeli Basketball Super League championship in 2010.

After retiring from professional play, Daniels transitioned into coaching and education. He served as the head girls’ basketball coach at Woodford County High School before being appointed as the head girls’ basketball coach at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Lexington, Kentucky, in 2022.  In addition to coaching, Daniels teaches World Civilizations, integrating his global experiences from his playing career into his lessons.

Erik Daniels is remembered for his significant contributions to Kentucky basketball and his diverse professional career. His transition to coaching and teaching reflects his dedication to the sport and his commitment to mentoring young athletes.