Zach McDaniel joined the EKU men's basketball program in the summer of 2019.
McDaniel came to Eastern Kentucky following a standout basketball career at Brescia University. The native of Bowling Green, Kentucky was a three-year starter for the Bearcats from 2016 to 2019. As a senior, he helped lead Brescia to a program-best 11 conference wins, including a win at No. 5 nationally-ranked West Virginia Tech.Â
His career highlights included a 19-point game on 4-of-5 shooting from deep versus Murray State, a career-high 25-point outing versus Asbury, 22 points on 4-of-6 three-point shooting against Indiana University Kokomo and a 20-point, 11-rebound performance against Alice Lloyd.
For his career, McDaniel shot 40 percent from beyond the arc and he led Brescia in charges taken all three years he was at the school. His collegiate honors included being named team captain, 2018 Homecoming King and the Mr. Hustle Award. McDaniel was also named to the Dean's List as a senior.
McDaniel played his freshman season at the University of Virginia-Wise.
He was a standout player at South Warren High School in Bowling Green, earning all-district honors and finishing as the runner-up for 2014 4th Region Player of the Year honors. He graduated as South Warren's all-time leading scorer.
Following his high school career, McDaniel played prep ball for current EKU head coach A.W. Hamilton at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia. Hargrave is widely considered the most successful and challenging prep school in the country. It has produced 100+ Division-I and 25+ NBA players. During the 2014-15 season, McDaniel helped Hargrave to a 38-6 record and a berth in the National Prep Championship Elite Eight.
McDaniel graduated from Brescia University in 2019 with a degree in Education and Sports Management Integrated Studies.
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