By JASON MORROW
Special to ZAGSBLOG
HAMPTON, Va. – Each 1 Teach 1’s Daniel Giddens played under a different number than listed this weekend at Nike’s EYBL Session 3, but it was still the same dominant performance as those in attendance have come to expect.
As for his future basketball interests, the 6-foot-10, 215-pound Giddens out of Marietta (Ga.) Wheeler cut his list in February to six schools: Kansas, Georgia, Ohio State, Arizona, Indiana and Florida.
He recently received an offer from Arkansas as well.
“Arkansas was a good offer. I’m still listening to some other colleges, but my list still stays the same,” Giddens said when asked if the offer changed his list.
The prohibitive favorite has been Ohio State by most accounts, and the Buckeyes are still hard on the trail for the big man.
“I talk to them every week; twice, three times a week maybe. There is a great relationship with Coach [Thad] Matta,” Giddens told SNY.tv. “They just [have] really told me how they are going to use me in the system.”
Matta sees him as a David West-type player. West played for Matta at Xavier from 2001-2003.
“They want me to be their power forward guy,” Giddens said. “They just want me to come in and fill a role for them, they are losing three people.”
The list of schools is staying at six for now and in the near future, but he will make by the end of the calendar year.
“I’m definitely committing in 2014 but I’m not planning any cuts to the list yet,” Giddens told SNY.tv.
As for what will help him decide, the non-basketball factors are very important as well as the program itself.
“This time when I cut my list I’m thinking about what college I can see myself going to and a college that’s going to set me up for the future, so I’m looking at academics.” Giddens said. “Mostly the school, not only for basketball wise, but a good environment.”
