Eric Dailey Jr. (born January 15, 2004) is an American college basketball player for the UCLA of the Pac-12 Conference.

Eric Dailey
No. 2 – UCLA Bruins
PositionSmall forward
LeaguePac-12 Conference
Personal information
Born (2004-01-15) January 15, 2004 (age 20)
Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High schoolIMG Academy
(Bradenton, Florida)
CollegeOklahoma State (2023–2024) UCLA (2024-present)
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's 3x3 basketball
Representing  United States
FIBA Under-18 World Cup
Gold medal – first place 2019 Mongolia Team

Early life and high school career edit

Eric Dailey Jr. was born in 2004 in Columbia, South Carolina and raised in Bradenton, Florida.[1] He grew up in a basketball-oriented family, with his mother Shell Dailey being a former national champion with the University of Texas women's basketball program and his father Eric Dailey Sr. being a former professional basketball player. Dailey Jr. attended IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, where he developed his skills as a versatile forward.[2]

He was selected to play in the 2023 Nike Hoops Summit.[3]

Recruiting edit

On April 12, 2023, Dailey Jr. committed to play college basketball for Texas Tech over offers from Florida State, Kansas and Kentucky, among others.[4]

Dailey pointed out his bond with OSU coach Mike Boynton as a crucial element when he made his commitment to Oklahoma State. Their connection was forged when they achieved gold as teammates for Team USA during the FIBA U18 Americas Championship in the summer of 2022.[5]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Eric Dailey Jr.
SF
Bradenton, FL IMG Academy 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Apr 12, 2023 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN:    ESPN grade: 85
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 74  247Sports: 94  ESPN: 57
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2023 Oklahoma State Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  • "2023 Oklahoma State Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  • "2023 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.

College career edit

On April 12, 2023, Dailey Jr. announced that he had committed to Oklahoma State.[6] Dailey averaged 9.3 points and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 49.6% from the field in his freshman year. However, in a significant move, Dailey announced his commitment to transfer to UCLA in April. [7]

National team career edit

In 2019, Dailey Jr. helped the United States win its first gold medal at the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.[8] He also won the 2021 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup dunk contest.[9]

Personal life edit

Dailey's father, Eric Dailey Sr., a 6-foot-6-inch (2.01 m) played basketball at TCU and pursued a professional playing career internationally from 1994 to 2004. His mother, Shell Dailey played college basketball at the University of Texas for the Longhorns[10] and coached the WNBA's San Antonio Silver Stars from 2003 to 2004.[11]

References edit

  1. ^ "About Eric Dailey Jr". ericdailey3.com. August 20, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  2. ^ Walker, Jon (1994-06-03). "Incoming freshman Eric Dailey Jr. talks USA Basketball, picking Oklahoma State". Stillwater News Press. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  3. ^ "Nike Hoop Summit Rosters". RealGM. 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  4. ^ "McDonald's All American Game Cancelled Amid 2023 Nike Hoop Summit Rosters". espn.com. 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  5. ^ "Top Recruit Eric Dailey Jr. Signs with Oklahoma State to Cap Top-10 National Class". Oklahoma State University Athletics. April 12, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  6. ^ "Top Recruit Eric Dailey Jr. Signs with Oklahoma State to Cap Top-10 National Class". Oklahoma State University Athletics. April 12, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  7. ^ "UCLA Lands Oklahoma State Star Transfer Eric Dailey Jr". Oklahoma State University Athletics. April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  8. ^ "Eric Dailey Jr". USA Basketball. July 17, 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  9. ^ "History". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 2022-09-01.
  10. ^ "1984-85 Women's Basketball Roster Shell Bollin". University of Texas Athletics. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  11. ^ "Shell Dailey Promoted to Head Coach of the San Antonio Silver Stars". South Carolina Gamecocks. 5 August 2003. Retrieved 6 June 2020.

External links edit