Now that we have reached the end of the college basketball regular season we can start looking ahead to the stars of tomorrow as the best high school players in the country are starting to receive some national exposure. The McDonald’s All-American Game took place on March 28th in Houston, and the Nike Hoop Summit tipped off on April 8th in Portland. Several of last year’s college basketball super-freshmen played in last year’s Nike Hoop Summit including Amari Bailey (UCLA)/Gradey Dick (Kansas)/Jarace Walker (Houston). Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Eric Dailey Jr. about winning a pair of gold medals and choosing the Cowboys.
In 2021 you played for Team USA at the FIBA 3X3 U-18 World Cup in Hungary, and in 2022 you played for Team USA at the FIBA U-18 Americas Championship in Mexico: what did it mean to you to represent your country, and what did it mean to you to win a pair of gold medals? Putting on that USA jersey is such a blessing because there are only so many people who get that chance. To play on a big stage at the highest level meant a lot to me.
You are captain of the team at IMG Academy: what is the key to being a good leader? It starts with doing the right things at the right time. You have to be vocal and not scared to make mistakes because nobody is perfect. I try to bring energy to my teammates each day and be positive.
You have been at IMG longer than almost anyone else: which of their alumni impressed you the most (Josh Green/Jett Howard/Anfernee Simons/other)? I was in 8th grade when Ant (Anfernee) was here. To see his journey to the NBA has been great and now that he signed his 2nd contract last summer he is making big money and playing in big games.
Last year you spent some time playing for Stella Azzurra Roma: what is the biggest difference between basketball in the US vs. basketball overseas? The biggest difference is technique: the US has more athleticism but overseas there is more focus on passing/cutting/moving without the ball. Now I am more versatile because I know how to play both styles of basketball. I took little things from over there and merged them with my game.
You received offers from several great schools including Kansas/Kentucky but officially signed with Oklahoma State on Wednesday: what was the biggest factor in your decision? The coaching staff: I wanted to play for a coach who understands where I am trying to go. The Cowboys had Cade Cunningham (6’6″) in the past so I can related to a big guard like that. You need a coach you can trust and a coach who trusts you. They have a few guys leaving so it is a perfect opportunity for me to come in and be a leader as a freshman on a team in a big conference.
You are part of a great recruiting class that includes Connor Dow/Brandon Garrison/Jamyron Keller/Justin McBride: how well do you know any of the other guys? I have known Justin since I was a kid: he actually plays on the same team as my little cousin. Brandon and I played together in AAU as well as with team USA so our journey has come full-circle. I talk to the other guys on the phone a lot and we are still building our relationship but we are all ready to work.
You are 6’8”: what position do you play now, and what position will you feel most comfortable at in college? I am more of a point-forward but I can bring the ball up or play down low because I am a well-rounded player. I have always been a guard even though I am big but Coach Boynton wants me to be a position-less player as well: I will just try to make plays from wherever I am on the court.
You have a 7’1” wingspan: how much of an advantage is your length on the court? It makes it easier for me to guard smaller guys, but I am also strong/quick so it gives me an advantage on offense as well.
Earlier this month you scored 3 PTS for Team USA in a win over the World Team in the Nike Hoop Summit: how exciting was it to reunite with your former gold medal teammate Jared McCain (who scored 10 PTS)? Jared and I had a great time winning a gold medal together. He is a fun guy to be around and a great shooter/teammate. He will be great at Duke and hopefully we see each other again in the NBA.
Your mother Shell played basketball at Texas, your father Eric Sr. played pro basketball in Spain, and your uncle played a decade in the NFL: who is the best athlete in the family? It is me…by far! Everyone has great accolades but I have earned that title.