Biography
By Jim Hague
Jordan McDaniel had his share of positive influences in his life, long before he ever enrolled at Rutgers-Newark last year.
First, McDaniel’s father, Jonathan, was a fine basketball player at Elizabeth High School before becoming a scholarship player at Rutgers in New Brunswick from 1978 through 1983.
“I remember seeing my father on the cover of Sports Illustrated,” the younger McDaniel said.
McDaniel’s grandfather, the late James McDaniel, was also a great athlete in Elizabeth. James McDaniel would later become the first African-American police officer in the town of Elizabeth who was widely known as “Officer Friendly.”
McDaniel also had an older sister, Tiffany, who played college basketball at Bloomfield College, graduating three years ago.
Growing up in Colonia, N.J., McDaniel also drew inspiration from his high school basketball coach, Chris Chiera.
“Coach Chiera always pushed me to be the best player I could be,” McDaniel said.
After graduating from Colonia a few years ago, McDaniel accepted a scholarship to play at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia.
But McDaniel only spent a year at Chestnut Hill, averaging just 2.9 points and 1.4 rebounds.
“I didn’t feel like I fit there,” McDaniel said.
So the 6-foot-5 forward decided to leave Chestnut Hill and transfer to Rutgers-Newark. The R-N coaching staff recruited McDaniel heavily in high school before McDaniel decided to go to Chestnut Hill.
“We were always very interested in Jordan,” said R-N head men’s basketball coach Joe Loughran.
“They remembered me from high school,” McDaniel said. “Plus, this way, I could get a Rutgers degree. So I felt like it was a good fit, being part of a good team.”
McDaniel said that it didn’t take long to feel like he was a true member of the Scarlet Raiders.
“When I first came, they were very welcoming,” McDaniel said. “We played pick-up games and through that, we developed chemistry with each other. Once practice started for real, we were comfortable with each other and we knew what to expect. That gave me an extra edge.”
McDaniel’s abilities gave Loughran an advantage as well.
“I think he’s a good combo guy, a guy who can play the three (small forward) and had the skill to play the four (power forward),” Loughran said. “Those guys are hard to find, the ones who can step up and hit an open shot and still guard men bigger than him.”
McDaniel agrees with his coach.
“I thought I could fit in well because I can play multiple positions,” McDaniel said. “I can play on the perimeter and I can play inside. I think my defense definitely helps the team. I think Coach Loughran recognized that.”
Loughran realized McDaniel’s potential right away, inserting him in the starting lineup to begin the 2013-14 season.
“He can play bigger because of his (arm) length,” Loughran said. “He is very good defensively. He can guard multiple positions and that helps us a lot. He can guard anyone out on the perimeter, which is rare for a big man. It just helps us to have the ability to maneuver around and put him in different positions.”
“I was surprised that I was starting,” McDaniel said. “But I was happy. I didn’t think I’d fit in as well. I thought it would take some time.”
McDaniel made an instant impact, scoring 14 points in his very first game against Salem State and had nine points and 10 rebounds in his second appearance.
McDaniel started the first 11 games for the Scarlet Raiders, before Loughran found him another role coming off the bench.
“Coach Loughran knows the type of energy I can bring to the team,” McDaniel said. “If I make a steal or a block or a good defensive play, that can get us going, both offensively and defensively.”
McDaniel has made a huge impact coming off the bench, scoring 16 points in key New Jersey Athletic Conference wins against Rowan and The College of New Jersey. The 16 points represents McDaniel’s season high point total.
“It’s a good combination for each game,” McDaniel said. “Chris Foreman and I are good coming off the bench. We look for each other and it makes it hard for teams to shut us down.”
“I think it took Jordan some time to find himself and become comfortable here,” Loughran said. “Now he knows he can play here. He can score. He can get shots and make shots.”
McDaniel has been connecting from 3-point range, including going 2-for-2 from behind the arc in the wins over Rowan and TCNJ.
“I think it helps him coming off the bench,” Loughran said. “He can see what’s going on in the game and get himself comfortable with the game. He’s been pretty good with it.”
Loughran loves McDaniel’s potential.
“He’s just going to get bigger and stronger,” Loughran said. “He loves to play and has a lot of energy. He’s a guy who is really going to help us. I like having him in our program. He’s doing the right thing, which is important.”
McDaniel is averaging 7.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 23 games for the 17-6 Scarlet Raiders, who currently reside atop the NJAC standings with two regular season games to play.
“I have a nice role now and I’m hoping to stick with it,” said McDaniel, who is a criminal justice major and plans to explore some sort of law enforcement career, possibly the FBI, upon graduation.
“I love coming into the game, making a block or a defensive play, then turning around and getting a dunk,” McDaniel said. “It gets everyone going. It gets the crowd going. It makes everyone play defense harder and helps us win.”
Another aspect that helps McDaniel is the inspiration he gets from another Rutgers icon from Colonia – namely former RU football player Eric LeGrand, who was paralyzed in a football game in 2010.
“I used to talk to Eric,” McDaniel said. “I talked to him the week before he got injured. Now, he keeps me motivated. He proves that you can’t listen to what some people say. He was told he would never walk and each day he’s working hard to prove them wrong. That motivates me every day.”
Just like LeGrand motivates thousands of others who aren’t as fortunate enough to know him, like Jordan McDaniel does.
