K. J. McDaniels

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = K. J. McDaniels

| image = KJ McDaniels.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = McDaniels with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2014

| position = Small forward

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 6

| weight_lb = 205

| league = IBL

| team = Pelita Jaya

| number = 32

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|2|9}}

| birth_place = Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.

| high_school = Central Park Christian School
(Birmingham, Alabama)

| college = Clemson (2011–2014)

| draft_year = 2014

| draft_round = 2

| draft_pick = 32

| draft_team = Philadelphia 76ers

| career_start = 2014

| years1 = {{nbay|2014|full=y}}

| team1 = Philadelphia 76ers

| years2 = {{nbay|2014|end}}–{{nbay|2016|end}}

| team2 = Houston Rockets

| years3 = 2015–2016

| team3 = →Rio Grande Valley Vipers

| years4 = {{nbay|2016|end}}

| team4 = Brooklyn Nets

| years5 = 2017–2018

| team5 = Grand Rapids Drive

| years6 = 2018–2019

| team6 = Oklahoma City Blue

| years7 = 2019

| team7 = TNT KaTropa

| years8 = 2020–2021

| team8 = Greensboro Swarm

| years9 = 2021–2022

| team9 = NLEX Road Warriors

| years10 = 2022–2023

| team10 = Meralco Bolts

| years11 = 2023

| team11 = Al Hilal

| years12 = 2023–present

| team12 = Pelita Jaya

| highlights =

IBL champion (2024)
IBL Most Valuable Player (2025)
All-IBL Indonesia Second Team (2024)
2x IBL All-Star (2024) (2025)
ACC Defensive Player of the Year (2014)
First-team All-ACC (2014)

}}

Kevin Ornell Chapman "K. J." McDaniels Jr. (born February 9, 1993) is an American professional basketball player for the Pelita Jaya of the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL). He played college basketball for Clemson University before he was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 32nd overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft.

High school career

McDaniels attended Central Park Christian School in Birmingham, Alabama.{{cite news|last1=Herbert|first1=James|title=2014 NBA Draft: K.J. McDaniels, overlooked as usual|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24595968/nba-draft-kj-mcdaniels-overlooked-as-usual|access-date=June 27, 2014|work=CBS Sports|date=June 24, 2014}} Considered a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, McDaniels was listed as the No. 35 small forward in the nation in 2011.{{cite web|title=K. J. McDaniels Recruiting Profile|work=ESPN.com|url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/124926/kj-mcdaniels|access-date=May 4, 2014}}

College career

McDaniels played limited minutes as a freshman for Clemson in 2011–12, averaging 3.9 points and 1.8 rebounds per game. As a sophomore, McDaniels became a starter for the Tigers. He averaged 10.9 points and 5.0 rebounds, and finished second in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in blocked shots with 2.1 per game.{{cite web|title=K. J. McDaniels CBSSports.com profile|work=CBSSports.com|url=http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/players/playerpage/1904213/kj-mcdaniels|access-date=May 4, 2014}}

As a junior in 2013–14, McDaniels became one of the top players in the ACC. He averaged 17.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. He led the ACC in blocks per game at 2.8 and at the conclusion of the regular season was named first team All-ACC and the conference Defensive Player of the Year.{{cite web | title = Clemson's McDaniels named ACC defensive player of the year | work = GoUpstate.com | date = March 11, 2014 | url = http://www.goupstate.com/article/20140311/ARTICLES/140319921 | access-date = May 4, 2014 | archive-date = August 9, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160809002439/http://www.goupstate.com/article/20140311/ARTICLES/140319921 | url-status = dead }} In the postseason, he led the Tigers to the 2014 National Invitation Tournament. McDaniels led the team to the tournament semifinals in Madison Square Garden.{{cite web | title = Clemson rallies past Belmont, advances to NIT semifinals | work = CBSSports.com | date = March 25, 2014 | url = http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/gametracker/recap/NCAAB_20140325_BELMONT@CLEM | access-date = May 4, 2014}}

In April 2014, McDaniels declared for the NBA draft, foregoing his final year of college eligibility.{{cite web | last = Feldman | first = Dan | title = Report: Clemson's K.J. McDaniels to declare for NBA draft | work = NBCSports.com | date = April 22, 2014 | url = http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/22/report-clemsons-k-j-mcdaniels-to-declare-for-nba-draft/ | access-date = May 4, 2014}}

Professional career

=Philadelphia 76ers (2014–2015)=

File:KJ McDaniels Floor.jpg

On June 26, 2014, McDaniels was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 32nd overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft.{{cite news|title=Sixers Select McDaniels, Grant, Micic in the Second Round of the 2014 NBA Draft|url=http://www.nba.com/sixers/news/140626-second-round|access-date=June 27, 2014|work=NBA.com|date=June 27, 2014}} In July 2014, he joined the 76ers for the 2014 NBA Summer League.{{cite news|last=Rappaport|first=Max|title=Orlando Pro Summer League: Schedule And Roster|url=http://www.nba.com/sixers/news/140704-opsl-schedule-roster|access-date=July 7, 2014|work=NBA.com|date=July 4, 2014}} After being named in the 76ers' 2014 training camp roster on September 29, 2014,{{cite news|title=Sixers Announce 2014 Training Camp Roster|url=http://www.nba.com/sixers/news/140929-camp-roster|access-date=October 1, 2014|work=NBA.com|date=September 29, 2014}} McDaniels was not present at Richard Stockton College the next day for the opening day of training camp after he and his agent were not happy with the contract he was offered by the 76ers.{{cite news|last=Pompey|first=Keith|title=Rookie K.J. McDaniels a no-show at 76ers camp|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20141001_Rookie_K_J__McDaniels_a_no-show_at_76ers_camp.html|access-date=October 1, 2014|work=Philly.com|date=October 1, 2014}} Subsequently, his deal was restructured and on October 1, McDaniels agreed to a one-year, non-guaranteed tender worth $507,000, allowing him to become a restricted free agent in 2015.{{cite news|last=Wojnarowski|first=Adrian|title=Philadelphia's K.J. McDaniels takes bold approach to rookie deal|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/philadelphia-s-k-j--mcdaniels-takes-bold-approach-to-rookie-deal-143327281.html|access-date=October 1, 2014|work=Yahoo.com|date=October 1, 2014}} He went on to start his rookie season in fine form, becoming one of the 76ers main players off the bench and earned notoriety for his shot-blocking prowess.{{cite news|last1=Mahoney|first1=Rob|title=Meet 76ers rookie K.J. McDaniels, the unsung shot-blocking natural|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2014/12/09/kj-mcdaniels-76ers-shot-blocking-rookie|access-date=December 24, 2014|work=SI.com|date=December 9, 2014}} He recorded his first career double-double on November 29 with season-highs of 21 points (career high) and 13 rebounds in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks.{{cite news|title=Chandler leads Mavericks over 76ers 110-103|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20141129/DALPHI/gameinfo.html|access-date=December 29, 2014|work=NBA.com|date=November 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129233535/http://www.nba.com/games/20141129/DALPHI/gameinfo.html|archive-date=November 29, 2014|url-status=dead}} McDaniels played 52 games for Philadelphia and averaged 9.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 25.4 minutes per game.

=Houston Rockets (2015–2017)=

On February 19, 2015, McDaniels was traded to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Isaiah Canaan and a 2015 second-round pick; he was one of a record 43 players to be traded on the day of the trade deadline.{{cite news|title=Rockets Acquire K.J. McDaniels and Pablo Prigioni|url=http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/rockets-acquire-k.j.-mcdaniels-and-pablo-prigioni|date=February 19, 2015|access-date=February 19, 2015|work=NBA.com}} He appeared in just 10 games for Houston to finish the regular season, and missed the team's entire playoff run after suffering a non-displaced fracture in his right elbow in the regular season finale.{{cite news|title=KJ McDaniels injury update: Non-displaced right elbow fracture|url=http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/04/kj-mcdaniels-injury-update-non-displaced-right-elbow-fracture/|date=April 17, 2015|access-date=April 17, 2015|work=Chron.com}}

On July 21, 2015, McDaniels re-signed with the Rockets to a three-year, $10 million contract.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/rockets-re-sign-k.j.-mcdaniels|title=Rockets Re-Sign K.J. McDaniels|work=NBA.com|date=July 21, 2015|access-date=July 21, 2015}}{{cite web|last=Feigen|first=Jonathan|url=http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/07/rockets-resign-kj-mcdaniels-to-three-year-deal/|title=Rockets agree with KJ McDaniels on three-year deal|work=Chron.com|date=July 19, 2015|access-date=July 20, 2015}} On April 3, 2016, he played a season-high 18 minutes and scored 10 points in the Rockets' 118–110 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20160403/OKCHOU/gameinfo.html|title=Harden's 41 lead Rockets past Thunder 118-110|work=NBA.com|date=April 3, 2016|access-date=April 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406073309/http://www.nba.com/games/20160403/OKCHOU/gameinfo.html|archive-date=April 6, 2016|url-status=dead}} During the 2015–16 season, he received multiple assignments to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Rockets' D-League affiliate.{{cite web|url=http://dleague.nba.com/news/assignments/ |title=2015-16 NBA Assignments |work=NBA.com |access-date=December 26, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150628235947/http://dleague.nba.com/news/assignments/ |archive-date=June 28, 2015 }}

=Brooklyn Nets (2017)=

On February 23, 2017, McDaniels was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for cash considerations.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/nets/news/2017/02/23/brooklyn-nets-acquire-kj-mcdaniels|title=BROOKLYN NETS ACQUIRE K.J. MCDANIELS|work=NBA.com|date=February 23, 2017|access-date=February 24, 2017}} On March 23, 2017, he had a season-high 16 points in a 126–98 win over the Phoenix Suns.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400900462|title=Nets beat Suns 126-98 for 1st two-game win streak of season|work=ESPN.com|date=March 23, 2017|access-date=March 23, 2017}}

=Grand Rapids Drive (2017–2018)=

On August 22, 2017, McDaniels signed with the Toronto Raptors.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/raptors/press-releases/raptors-sign-kj-mcdaniels|title=Raptors Sign K.J. McDaniels|work=NBA.com|date=August 22, 2017|access-date=August 22, 2017}} He was waived by the Raptors on October 22, 2017, before appearing in a game for them.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/k-j-mcdaniels-waived-by-raptors|title=K.J. McDaniels: Waived by Raptors|work=cbssports.com|date=October 22, 2017|access-date=October 22, 2017}}

On December 13, 2017, McDaniels joined the Grand Rapids Drive of the NBA G League.{{cite web|title=KJ McDaniels to play with Grand Rapids Drive|url=https://www.sportando.com/en/usa/g-league/257417/kj-mcdaniels-to-play-with-grand-rapids-drive.html|website=Sportando.com|access-date=December 13, 2017|date=December 13, 2017}}

=Oklahoma City Blue (2018–2019)=

In July 2018, McDaniels played for the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2018 NBA Summer League and was named MVP of the championship game in Las Vegas.[https://www.si.com/nba/2018/07/18/trail-blazers-lakers-las-vegas-summer-league-championship-kj-mcdaniels-josh-hart Trail Blazers Exact Summer League Revenge over Lakers in Las Vegas Championship]

On September 23, 2018, McDaniels signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder.[https://www.nba.com/thunder/news/release-camproster-180923 Thunder Adds Alford, Gaddy, McDaniels and Solomon to Training Camp Roster] On October 10, 2018, McDaniels was waived by the Thunder.{{cite web|title=Thunder Waives Three|url=https://www.nba.com/thunder/news/release-trainingcamp-181010|website=NBA.com|access-date=October 10, 2018|date=October 10, 2018}} McDaniels was added to the Oklahoma City Blue training camp roster on October 23, 2018.{{cite web |title=Oklahoma City Blue Announces Training Camp Roster |url=https://oklahomacity.gleague.nba.com/news/oklahoma-city-blue-announces-training-camp-roster-3/ |website=NBA.com |access-date=November 3, 2018 |date=October 23, 2018 |archive-date=July 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705105135/https://oklahomacity.gleague.nba.com/news/oklahoma-city-blue-announces-training-camp-roster-3/ |url-status=dead }}

In his first game with the OKC Blue, McDaniels recorded 10 points and 3 rebounds in 27 minutes of playing time as they got the win over the Stockton Kings, 124–89.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurobasket.com/boxScores/NBA%20G%20League/2018/1102_7283_13274.asp|title=OKC Blue - Stockton Kings 124-89|publisher=Eurobasket|date=November 2, 2018|access-date=October 13, 2019}} On November 4, McDaniels recorded 21 points and 8 rebounds in a 128–118 win over the Agua Caliente Clippers.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurobasket.com/boxScores/NBA%20G%20League/2018/1104_7283_30847.asp|title=OKC Blue - Agua Caliente Clippers 128-118|publisher=Eurobasket|date=November 4, 2018|access-date=October 13, 2019}}

=TNT KaTropa (2019)=

In August 2019, McDaniels signed with the TNT KaTropa as the team's import for the 2019 PBA Governors' Cup.{{cite web|title=TnT Katropa taps another ex-Rocket in KJ McDaniels as Governors Cup import|url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/tnt-katropa-taps-another-ex-rocket-in-kj-mcdaniels-as-import-in-pba-governors-cup-a793-20190817|first=Gerry|last=Ramos|date=August 17, 2019|website=Spin.ph|access-date=August 17, 2019}} In his PBA debut, he recorded a career-high 41 points and 22 rebounds as well as 7 assists and 5 blocks in a 135–107 win over the Blackwater Elite.{{cite web|last=Go|first=Beatrice|url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/basketball/pba/241026-game-results-tnt-blackwater-september-25-2019|title=McDaniels erupts for 41 as TNT dominates Blackwater|publisher=Rappler|date=September 25, 2019|access-date=October 13, 2019}} Three days after, McDaniels recorded 37 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 blocks in a 103–91 win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.{{cite web|last=Terrado|first=Reuben|url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/kj-mcdaniels-tnt-vs-rain-or-shine-pba-governors-cup-a795-20190928|title=KJ McDaniels sustains fine play as TNT blasts ROS for share of lead|publisher=SPIN.ph|date=September 28, 2019|access-date=October 13, 2019}}

=Greensboro Swarm (2020–2021)=

On February 22, 2020, the Greensboro Swarm acquired the returning right to McDaniels from the Oklahoma City Blue in exchange for the returning right to Zach Smith and a first-round pick in the 2020 NBA G League Draft.{{cite web |first1=Justin |last1=Trujillo |url=https://greensboro.gleague.nba.com/news/greensboro-completes-trade-with-oklahoma-city |title=Greensboro Completes Trade With Oklahoma City |date=February 22, 2020|website=NBA.com|access-date=February 22, 2020}} Six days later on February 28, 2020, the Greensboro Swarm announced that McDaniels was added to their roster.{{cite web|first1=Justin|last1=Trujillo|url=https://greensboro.gleague.nba.com/news/greensboro-swarm-adds-kj-mcdaniels-to-roster|title=Greensboro Swarm Adds KJ McDaniels To Roster|date=February 28, 2020|website=NBA.com|access-date=February 28, 2020}} He rejoined the team for the 2020–21 season.{{cite web|title=Greensboro Announces Roster For Single-Site In Orlando|url=https://greensboro.gleague.nba.com/news/greensboro-announces-roster-for-single-site-in-orlando/|website=NBA.com|date=January 27, 2021|access-date=January 27, 2021}}

On July 18, 2021, McDaniels signed with Formosa Taishin Dreamers of the P. League+.{{cite web|title=P.LEAGUE+: Dreamers Sign Ex-NBA Swingman KJ McDaniels|url=https://www.asiapacifichoops.com/p-league-dreamers-sign-ex-nba-swingman-kj-mcdaniels/|website=AsiaPacificHoops.com|date=July 18, 2021|access-date=September 25, 2021}} On September 22, his contract was terminated due to his pregnant wife.{{cite web |title=麥克丹尼爾斯與球團協議終止合約台新夢想家球團：「已鎖定多位洋將人選！」 |url=https://pleagueofficial.com/news-detail/161 |website=P. LEAGUE+ |access-date=October 24, 2024 |date=September 22, 2021}}

=NLEX Road Warriors (2021–2022)=

In November 2021, McDaniels signed with NLEX Road Warriors of the Philippine Basketball Association.{{cite web|url=https://www.pba.ph/news/tnt-meralco-3-others-to-introduce-new-imports |title=TNT, Meralco, 3 others to introduce new imports|work=pba.ph|date=November 3, 2021|accessdate=November 3, 2021}}

= Killer 3's (2022) =

On May 25, 2022, McDaniels was drafted by the Killer 3's with the eighteenth overall pick of the 2022 BIG3 draft.{{Cite web |date=May 26, 2022 |title=2022 BIG3 Draft Recap |url=https://big3.com/news/2022-big3-draft-recap/ |access-date=May 29, 2022 |website=BIG3 |language=en-US}}

=Meralco Bolts (2022–2023)=

On October 31, 2022, McDaniels signed with the Meralco Bolts of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) to replace Johnny O'Bryant III as the team's import for the 2022–23 PBA Commissioner's Cup.{{cite web|last=Terrado|first=Reuben|url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/meralco-taps-ex-nlex-import-kj-mcdaniels-for-johnny-o-bryant-a795-20221031 |title=Meralco bringing in former NLEX import KJ McDaniels as O'Bryant replacement|website=spin.ph|date=October 31, 2022|accessdate=October 31, 2022}} In December 2022, he returned with the team as their import for the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup.{{cite web|last=Dy|first=Richard|url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/12/28/sports/meralco-brings-back-kj-mcdaniels/1871901 |title=Meralco brings back KJ McDaniels|publisher=The Manila Times|date=December 28, 2022|accessdate=December 29, 2022}}

=Pelita Jaya (2023–present)=

In December 2023, McDaniels signed with the Pelita Jaya of the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL).{{cite web |title=Pelita Jaya Merekrut Pemain Philadelphia 76ers |url=https://iblindonesia.com/news/pelita-jaya-merekrut-pemain-philadelphia-76ers |website=IBL |access-date=December 30, 2024 |date=December 11, 2023}} In December 2024, he returned to the Pelita Jaya for the 2025 IBL season.{{cite web |title=Pelita Jaya Panggil K. J. McDaniels Untuk Pertahankan Gelar |url=https://iblindonesia.com/news/pelita-jaya-panggil-k-j-mcdaniels-untuk-pertahankan-gelar |website=IBL |access-date=December 30, 2024 |date=December 11, 2024}}

NBA career statistics

=Regular season=

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2014}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia

| 52 || 15 || 25.4 || .399 || .293 || .756 || 3.8 || 1.3 || .8 || 1.3 || 9.2

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2014}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Houston

| 10 || 0 || 3.3 || .333 || .000 || .500 || .5 || .2 || .0 || .2 || 1.1

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2015}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Houston

| 37 || 1 || 6.4 || .403 || .280 || .800 || 1.1 || .3 || .2 || .2 || 2.4

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2016}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Houston

| 29 || 0 || 7.3 || .454 || .333 || .900 || 1.0 || .1 || .2 || .3 || 2.8

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2016}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Brooklyn

| 20 || 0 || 14.7 || .455 || .282 || .821 || 2.6 || .5 || .6 || .5 || 6.3

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 148 || 16 || 14.1 || .412 || .290 || .776 || 2.2 || .6 || .5 || .6 || 5.3

=Playoffs=

| style="text-align:left;"| 2016

| style="text-align:left;"| Houston

| 4 || 0 || 8.5 || .308 || .333 || .000 || 1.8 || .3 || .0 || .8 || 2.3

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 4 || 0 || 8.5 || .308 || .333 || .000 || 1.8 || .3 || .0 || .8 || 2.3

Personal life

McDaniels is the son of Kevin and Shawn McDaniels,{{cite news|first=James|last=Herbert|title=2014 NBA Draft: K.J. McDaniels, overlooked as usual|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24595968/nba-draft-kj-mcdaniels-overlooked-as-usual|date=June 24, 2014|access-date=June 24, 2014|work=CBSSports.com}} and has a younger brother named Dylan.{{cite news|first=Mark|last=Lelinwalla|title=K.J. MCDANIELS HAS AN INTERESTING BET GOING WITH HIS MOTHER AND IT INVOLVES CASH AND TWITTER|url=http://triangleoffense.com/news/k-j-mcdaniels-has-an-interesting-bet-going-with-his-mother/|date=January 9, 2015|access-date=January 9, 2015|work=TriangleOffense.com}} He was also a college major of Communication Studies.