After nearly six months of summer basketball, the travel season has ended and the yearly shift towards high school hoops has finally begun. Although there is still a lot of basketball going on between camps, fall leagues, and other preseason jamborees, this is typically the quietest time of the year for the grassroots community. Which, in turn, means there’s no better time to highlight individuals who have the tools and ability to be breakout players over the next eight months. While this notion could certainly apply to a variety of prospects, the emphasis is primarily on younger guys with an increased role, new school situation, or those who simply take the next step in their progression. After a solid freshman campaign, Tolson O’Daniel (Northwood/SW15H Elite) continues to make steady strides within his development. Let’s take a closer look…
At 6-foot-8, he’s truly just beginning to scratch the surface and harness his long-term abilities. However, O’Daniel already finds success through playing hard and positioning himself for success. He’s a capable finisher who moves well without the ball, runs the floor in transition, and battles for extra opportunities on the glass. O’Daniel doesn’t shy away from physical play and is willing to use his body to his advantage on both ends of the floor. He’s a quality athlete for his size/position with nice mobility and the ability to play above the rim. O’Daniel finishes well through contact and is capable of applying pressure from the block. Between his touch and flashes of floor-spacing ability, he does a quality job of finding ways to assert his presence offensively.
That being said, so much of his current value comes through his activity as an interior defender and two-way rebounder. O’Daniel is a useful defensive piece who blocks and alters shots on a consistent basis. He carves out space to make his presence felt on the glass, and knows how to capitalize on second-chance opportunities or run the floor in transition. Given his array of foundational tools, it’s easy to see the potential with O’Daniel. Should he continue to progress, he’ll definitely be a prospect for coaches to monitor.