Latest news with #Daniels
Indianapolis Star
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
Luke Brown all over again? Rising sophomore bringing excitement back to Blackford basketball
FISHERS – Amarian Leggett was a youngster when the crowds flocked to Blackford High School to watch Luke Brown light up the scoreboard on his way to scoring 3,011 career points, the fourth highest total in Indiana high school boys basketball history. 'The atmosphere was really cool,' Leggett said. 'I just hope I can bring that back because seeing that as a kid inspired me.' Leggett is still a kid himself, just finishing up his freshman year at Blackford. But the 6-4 point guard showed why Blackford basketball may quickly became a must-stop again for high school basketball fans. Leggett earned Most Valuable Player honors at the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Futures Game on Monday night at Fishers High School, finishing with 24 points, nine rebounds, three steals and two assists as his North team defeated the South 123-113. Leggett played just 19 of the 40 minutes of the game featuring the top freshmen and sophomores in the state. But he maximized his time, shooting 10-for-13 from the field, including 4-for-6 from the 3-point line. 'I came to have fun,' Leggett said. 'I know some people don't think I'm as good as what I am … coming from a (Class 2A) school, nobody really knows that type of school.' Aaron Daniels does. Daniels coached Leggett in his first season at Blackford last year. Leggett scored 21 points in his first varsity game and went on to average 14.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists in his first varsity season. Daniels was at Fishers on Monday to watch Leggett, along with several Blackford fans. 'He's an elite level player,' Daniels said. 'It's hard sometimes to get people to understand that at the 2A level. But a kid like that is going out and seeing elite level talent on the AAU circuit every weekend. It's slowed down for him. He's so good, so smooth and so quick. When he can shoot it at a high level, he's unguardable because he's so quick getting to the basket. We've known for a long time he was elite, then this summer against some really elite competition on the AAU circuit, he's performed that way and we knew we had something really, really special. He's a big-time player no matter where he is in the state.' Leggett truly is a 6-4 point guard, which might make him a more desirable college prospect than the 6-2 Brown was coming out of high school. Brown started out at Ball State, then Stetson, before transferring to Indiana Wesleyan, where he averaged 18.4 points and shot 48.4% from the 3-point line last season. Obviously, Leggett heard the comparisons to Brown as a freshman. He is a different type of player. But the crowds are coming back. Maybe not yet to pinnacle Luke Brown era, when crowds of 4,000 would pack the gym. But there is an appetite for hoops. Blackford went 14-10 last season, losing to top-ranked Wapahani in the first round of the sectional by nine points. 'It's flattering,' Daniels said of the comparisons between Brown and Leggett. 'But it's also at the point where he knows he's capable of that. So, it's motivating that he knows the community of Blackford will rally around and support him, especially when they find out the level he's going to play at. He's going to exceed all expectations. It's almost a chip on his shoulder to get that level Luke was at his young high school career.' Merrillville freshman Charles Hardiman scored 18 points for the North, draining 4-of-5 from the 3-point line. Fort Wayne Snider sophomore Trell Hogue added 14 points and four assists, Homestead's Mack Welker had 13 points and 10 rebounds, Pike's Isaiah Hill had 12 points, six rebounds and two blocked shots and McCutcheon sophomore Brody Baker had 12 points and four rebounds. The South was missing Fishers guard Jason Gardner Jr., who was participating in the Pangos Camp in Las Vegas. Guerin Catholic's Jake Grissom led the South with 18 points on 3-of-6 shooting from the 3-point line. Plainfield's Harper Baker-Lands had 16 points, four assists and three steals, Warren Central's J.J. Craig had 15 points and four assists, Fishers' Cooper Zachary went for 15 points and eight assists and Liberty Christian's Kendrick Martin and Derrick Cross Jr. each had 12 points. In the girls game, the North defeated the South 106-92 as Fort Wayne Snider freshman Janaya Cooper was named MVP. The silky smooth 5-11 Cooper finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three blocked shots. 'I knew it wasn't going to be an easy game,' Cooper said. 'I knew it was going to be tough competition, so I just came into the game thinking, 'Play hard.' We haven't played with each other, so I was just trying to mesh with the team, play my game and not be selfish.' Cooper's AAU teammate, Marion freshman Nyomi Hahn, was also a standout as she finished with 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting, including make both 3-point attempts. McCutcheon sophomore Lillie Graves added 14 points for the South and Riley Schellhammer, who transferred from Fishers to Lawrence Central, had a strong second half to finish with 14 points. Cooper has seen her recruiting take off after averaging 16.0 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.4 steals as a freshman at Snider. She has almost 20 offers, including from Indiana, Purdue, Louisville and Michigan State, among others. 'I don't think I was known much coming into my freshman year,' Cooper said. 'But now that I got my freshman year over with, I feel like that was a learning process and I know what to expect and I can just go out and play my game.' Getting this many Division I offers at such an early age is unusual. But Cooper has the right demeanor to handle the spotlight. 'I just try to stay humble through the process,' she said. 'The coaches say they like my IQ and athleticism, and they believe as I get older I can be a leader and control the game with my voice.' The South team was led by Eastern Hancock sophomore McKenzie Koch, who finished with 19 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Plainfield's Hannah Menser added 13 points and five assists and Greensburg's Clarie Larrison had 12 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Super Bowl Winning QB Makes Bold Prediction About Jayden Daniels
Super Bowl Winning QB Makes Bold Prediction About Jayden Daniels originally appeared on Athlon Sports. A franchise quarterback has the ability and gravity to change a team's fortunes overnight. The Washington Commanders found this out after Jayden Daniels fell into their laps in the 2024 NFL Draft. Advertisement The Commanders took Daniels, a Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU, with the No. 2 pick on April 25, 2024. Nine months later, Daniels led the Commanders out at Lincoln Financial Field for an NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Daniels claimed 49 of a possible 50 first-place votes for AP Rookie of the Year, and he was named to the Pro Bowl after leading Washington to 12 wins, its most in a season since 1991. Daniels was responsible for 31 total touchdowns and 4,459 total yards – and entering 2025, Daniels has the fifth-best odds to win NFL MVP. But former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Phil Simms is more than a little skeptical of the Daniels hype. He told Kay Adams on Monday that while Daniels won't endure a sophomore slump in 2025, he is not yet on the level of the signal-callers with higher MVP odds. Advertisement That's because Daniels' competition includes Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson and the Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes – players who have combined for five MVP awards in the past seven seasons. "These are some guys, even if the team is not good, they're still capable of having outstanding seasons statistically," Simms, a former New York Giant, explained. More and more, the Commanders are being discussed as a trendy Super Bowl pick for 2025. Given Daniels' rapid rise as a rookie, his presence in the MVP conversation is not far-fetched at all. But it may take Washington's best season for Daniels to overcome the AFC's elite QBs in the hunt for pro football's most coveted individual award. Advertisement Related: Jayden Daniels 'Holding Commanders To A Standard' With Super Bowl Goals This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hamilton Spectator
6 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Bulked up Jayden Daniels looks to have put on weight coming off rookie season with the Commanders
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Jayden Daniels evades the topic as if he's an oncoming pass rusher and ducks away from the questions as if he's avoiding a sack. It sure looks as if the Washington Commanders' franchise quarterback has bulked up, adding some muscle after his AP Offensive Rookie of the Year season. He just won't say how much and insists it was not a particular mission of his. 'That's up for grabs — I don't know,' Daniels said Wednesday after an offseason practice session. 'I was just working out. It wasn't about this amount or much. Just go out there, have a plan and naturally just put on weight.' Daniels is happy to let others talk about his weight, and that extends to his teammates and coaches. They notice, chalking it up to him being a competitor looking to gain another edge. Kliff Kingsbury, back for a second season as offensive coordinator , has not seen what Daniels is lifting but observes the 24-year-old looking a little thicker. 'He's still pretty lean, but he's definitely worked really hard at his fitness and the weight room,' Kingsbury said. 'He knows what he has to do to protect himself and where he feels comfortable playing. But the arm strength: He looks better, and you can tell he's stronger. There's no doubt.' That wasn't a message from the coaching staff coming off Daniels leading the way in Washington exceeding all expectations to make the playoffs and go on an improbable run to the NFC championship game. Kingsbury wanted Daniels to get some rest rather than rush back into preparing for his second professional season. Easier said than done. A year since being the second pick in the draft and going through an entirely new process, he took some time to reflect and adjusted his priorities. 'You just have so much time and freedom to kind of do what you want,' Daniels said. 'It was difficult trying to navigate that, but you on lean on people closest to you and obviously you've got to keep the end goal in mind. You're trying to get better each and every day, and you're trying to progress each and every season, each and every month and snap.' Part of getting better was absolutely getting some more upper-body heft — especially given Daniels' penchant to escape the pocket and run for big gains and given reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia , Dallas and the New York Giants have no shortage of bruising defenders ready to hit him. 'Put on a little muscle, huh?' center Tyler Biadasz said. 'For sure. He said what he was going to do, and he did it.' Daniels upon arriving in Washington developed the reputation as a player who arrives early to the team facility and stays late. No one around the Commanders anticipates that will change now that he may be a few pounds heavier. 'I haven't gotten like side by side in the mirror or anything, but he's doing great,' coach Dan Quinn said. 'You can sense when people are going for it, and he's certainly one that is. ... There is no flinch in Jayden Daniels. He is as focused and relentless as you could (be) about getting better.' No McLaurin Trade pickup Deebo Samuel was in attendance for organized team activities Wednesday, but fellow wide receiver Terry McLaurin was not around for the voluntary stage of offseason workouts after taking part in mandatory sessions recently. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil and cornerback Marshon Lattimore were also absent. McLaurin's camp is believed to be discussing a new contract with general manager Adam Peters. McLaurin, who turns 30 in September, is only signed through next season. 'I understand the business side of the things, and when he stopped coming I understand his side of the story,' Samuel said. 'I just not try to get bothered with it and just let him deal with it on his own and just kind of handle it on his own.' Quinn said he has been in touch with every player, plus Peters to see if there are any extension updates. 'Those guys have been excellent in terms of the communication with me,' Quinn said. 'I can speak to Terry, specifically: He's having a great offseason.' No one seems to be worried about McLaurin. Certainly not his QB. 'Me and Terry got a good relationship outside of football,' Daniels said. 'He's got to handle what he has to handle, but that doesn't change anything with the fact that he's a part of our brotherhood. We know Terry's working and everything, so we got to get better and he knows he's got to get better each and every day.' ___ AP NFL:
6 days ago
- Sport
Bulked up Jayden Daniels looks to have put on weight coming off rookie season with the Commanders
ASHBURN, Va. -- Jayden Daniels evades the topic as if he's an oncoming pass rusher and ducks away from the questions as if he's avoiding a sack. It sure looks as if the Washington Commanders' franchise quarterback has bulked up, adding some muscle after his AP Offensive Rookie of the Year season. He just won't say how much and insists it was not a particular mission of his. 'That's up for grabs — I don't know," Daniels said Wednesday after an offseason practice session. "I was just working out. It wasn't about this amount or much. Just go out there, have a plan and naturally just put on weight.' Daniels is happy to let others talk about his weight, and that extends to his teammates and coaches. They notice, chalking it up to him being a competitor looking to gain another edge. Kliff Kingsbury, back for a second season as offensive coordinator, has not seen what Daniels is lifting but observes the 24-year-old looking a little thicker. 'He's still pretty lean, but he's definitely worked really hard at his fitness and the weight room," Kingsbury said. "He knows what he has to do to protect himself and where he feels comfortable playing. But the arm strength: He looks better, and you can tell he's stronger. There's no doubt.' That wasn't a message from the coaching staff coming off Daniels leading the way in Washington exceeding all expectations to make the playoffs and go on an improbable run to the NFC championship game. Kingsbury wanted Daniels to get some rest rather than rush back into preparing for his second professional season. Easier said than done. A year since being the second pick in the draft and going through an entirely new process, he took some time to reflect and adjusted his priorities. 'You just have so much time and freedom to kind of do what you want," Daniels said. "It was difficult trying to navigate that, but you on lean on people closest to you and obviously you've got to keep the end goal in mind. You're trying to get better each and every day, and you're trying to progress each and every season, each and every month and snap.' Part of getting better was absolutely getting some more upper-body heft — especially given Daniels' penchant to escape the pocket and run for big gains and given reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia, Dallas and the New York Giants have no shortage of bruising defenders ready to hit him. 'Put on a little muscle, huh?" center Tyler Biadasz said. 'For sure. He said what he was going to do, and he did it." Daniels upon arriving in Washington developed the reputation as a player who arrives early to the team facility and stays late. No one around the Commanders anticipates that will change now that he may be a few pounds heavier. 'I haven't gotten like side by side in the mirror or anything, but he's doing great," coach Dan Quinn said. 'You can sense when people are going for it, and he's certainly one that is. ... There is no flinch in Jayden Daniels. He is as focused and relentless as you could (be) about getting better.' Trade pickup Deebo Samuel was in attendance for organized team activities Wednesday, but fellow wide receiver Terry McLaurin was not around for the voluntary stage of offseason workouts after taking part in mandatory sessions recently. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil and cornerback Marshon Lattimore were also absent. McLaurin's camp is believed to be discussing a new contract with general manager Adam Peters. McLaurin, who turns 30 in September, is only signed through next season. 'I understand the business side of the things, and when he stopped coming I understand his side of the story," Samuel said. 'I just not try to get bothered with it and just let him deal with it on his own and just kind of handle it on his own.' Quinn said he has been in touch with every player, plus Peters to see if there are any extension updates. 'Those guys have been excellent in terms of the communication with me,' Quinn said. "I can speak to Terry, specifically: He's having a great offseason.' No one seems to be worried about McLaurin. Certainly not his QB. 'Me and Terry got a good relationship outside of football," Daniels said. "He's got to handle what he has to handle, but that doesn't change anything with the fact that he's a part of our brotherhood. We know Terry's working and everything, so we got to get better and he knows he's got to get better each and every day.' ___
Fox Sports
6 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Bulked up Jayden Daniels looks to have put on weight coming off rookie season with the Commanders
Associated Press ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Jayden Daniels evades the topic as if he's an oncoming pass rusher and ducks away from the questions as if he's avoiding a sack. It sure looks as if the Washington Commanders' franchise quarterback has bulked up, adding some muscle after his AP Offensive Rookie of the Year season. He just won't say how much and insists it was not a particular mission of his. 'That's up for grabs — I don't know," Daniels said Wednesday after an offseason practice session. "I was just working out. It wasn't about this amount or much. Just go out there, have a plan and naturally just put on weight.' Daniels is happy to let others talk about his weight, and that extends to his teammates and coaches. They notice, chalking it up to him being a competitor looking to gain another edge. Kliff Kingsbury, back for a second season as offensive coordinator, has not seen what Daniels is lifting but observes the 24-year-old looking a little thicker. 'He's still pretty lean, but he's definitely worked really hard at his fitness and the weight room," Kingsbury said. "He knows what he has to do to protect himself and where he feels comfortable playing. But the arm strength: He looks better, and you can tell he's stronger. There's no doubt.' That wasn't a message from the coaching staff coming off Daniels leading the way in Washington exceeding all expectations to make the playoffs and go on an improbable run to the NFC championship game. Kingsbury wanted Daniels to get some rest rather than rush back into preparing for his second professional season. Easier said than done. A year since being the second pick in the draft and going through an entirely new process, he took some time to reflect and adjusted his priorities. 'You just have so much time and freedom to kind of do what you want," Daniels said. "It was difficult trying to navigate that, but you on lean on people closest to you and obviously you've got to keep the end goal in mind. You're trying to get better each and every day, and you're trying to progress each and every season, each and every month and snap.' Part of getting better was absolutely getting some more upper-body heft — especially given Daniels' penchant to escape the pocket and run for big gains and given reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia, Dallas and the New York Giants have no shortage of bruising defenders ready to hit him. 'Put on a little muscle, huh?" center Tyler Biadasz said. 'For sure. He said what he was going to do, and he did it." Daniels upon arriving in Washington developed the reputation as a player who arrives early to the team facility and stays late. No one around the Commanders anticipates that will change now that he may be a few pounds heavier. 'I haven't gotten like side by side in the mirror or anything, but he's doing great," coach Dan Quinn said. 'You can sense when people are going for it, and he's certainly one that is. ... There is no flinch in Jayden Daniels. He is as focused and relentless as you could (be) about getting better.' No McLaurin Trade pickup Deebo Samuel was in attendance for organized team activities Wednesday, but fellow wide receiver Terry McLaurin was not around for the voluntary stage of offseason workouts after taking part in mandatory sessions recently. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil and cornerback Marshon Lattimore were also absent. McLaurin's camp is believed to be discussing a new contract with general manager Adam Peters. McLaurin, who turns 30 in September, is only signed through next season. 'I understand the business side of the things, and when he stopped coming I understand his side of the story," Samuel said. 'I just not try to get bothered with it and just let him deal with it on his own and just kind of handle it on his own.' Quinn said he has been in touch with every player, plus Peters to see if there are any extension updates. 'Those guys have been excellent in terms of the communication with me,' Quinn said. "I can speak to Terry, specifically: He's having a great offseason.' No one seems to be worried about McLaurin. Certainly not his QB. 'Me and Terry got a good relationship outside of football," Daniels said. "He's got to handle what he has to handle, but that doesn't change anything with the fact that he's a part of our brotherhood. We know Terry's working and everything, so we got to get better and he knows he's got to get better each and every day.' ___ AP NFL: recommended
