Daniel Has His Goals Fatherhood Helps WSU Star Hit Basketball, Life Objectives

Carlos Daniel calls it a turning point, the day four years ago when he found out his high school girlfriend was pregnant. “The first thing my parents told me was that they were not going to take care of my child - they would do what they could, but it wasn’t going to be their responsibility,” said Daniel, now a 21-year-old senior at Washington State University.

Right there, Daniel knew things had to change.

“You’re thinking you can do anything you want, when you want and how you want to,” he said, “but when you have a child, you can’t act like that anymore. I had to be a lot more focused on what I wanted to do.”

Daniel wanted to play college basketball.

Four years later, he leads the Pacific-10 Conference with 9.8 rebounds per game, in addition to his team-leading 16.1-point scoring average.

Daniel wanted to succeed in college.

He holds a 3.5 grade-point average and expects to graduate in May with a degree in history. He has twice been named to the Pac-10 all-academic team. A third selection is likely.

Daniel wanted to play professional basketball before attending law school.

The 6-foot-7, 245-pound forward appears headed for a career overseas, if not in the NBA. A law degree would help Daniel provide for his young son, Michael, who remains in Colorado.

Finally, Daniel wanted to set a good example for kids.

He has done so, with one gigantic, embarrassing asterisk: a Jan. 16, 1997 arrest for stealing “toiletries” from a local supermarket.

There are better ways to make the front page.

Two days after serving a one-game suspension, a visibly shaken Daniel held a Monday morning press conference to take responsibility for his actions, apologize to the community and put the issue to rest.

Hiding out in his apartment might have seemed easier at the time.

“When you do make a mistake or do something wrong, you have to stand up and take the punishment, and not hide and run or make excuses,” said Daniel, a 1997 recipient of the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars Award.

Daniel’s straightforward approach was refreshing, especially when contrasted with the recent “resignation” of UCLA center Jelani McCoy, who had spent weeks sidestepping reports that he had tested positive for marijuana.

An interesting aside to the Daniel case became apparent Wednesday, when a check of court records showed that charges against Daniel had been quietly dropped on April 3, some three months after the incident.

Technically, Daniel could have asserted his innocence, abdicating responsibility for his actions. Morally, he knew better. Daniel never said a word.

“The only thing he can do is present a good example from the time that incident happened until today, and he’s done that,” WSU coach Kevin Eastman said.

As the only senior on a struggling team, Daniel makes sure his younger teammates play hard, no matter how bleak the outlook. Whether playing through pain, diving after a loose ball or taking responsibility after another tough loss, Daniel sets a high standard.

“He’s always been a vocal leader,” Eastman said. “Now he’s doing some things by example. I think other guys are playing a lot harder because of it.”

Daniel has improved dramatically since being recruited by former coach Kelvin Sampson out of Fairview High School in Louisville, Colo.

Always an outstanding leaper and tenacious rebounder, Daniel has developed into a capable offensive threat, although he is still adapting to constant double-teams. His biggest obstacle in recent games has been a sore left ankle, but he should be near 100 percent tonight.

“Carlos may be the most improved player from a freshman to a senior in our league right now,” UCLA coach Steve Lavin said.

Daniel’s rise has coincided with WSU’s demise. The last two seasons have been especially difficult.

The Cougars went 35-24 (.593) in Daniel’s first two seasons, but they are only 22-34 (.393) since, including 9-17 (.346) this season.

Attendance at Friel Court has fallen to a seven-year low of 3,805 per game. Former stars like Mark Hendrickson and Isaac Fontaine are sorely missed, just as Daniel will be next season. More than a few fans are wondering if the program is heading in the right direction.

“That’s a hard question because I’m on my way out,” Daniel said. “The last few years have been rough, but to sit and say it’s only going to get worse or it’s going to get better, I don’t know.”

Whining is not an option.

“Personally, I’ve done everything I wanted to do except win,” Daniel said.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: DANIELS FILE Three-time winner of WSU’s Jud Heathcote Award for Inspiration. Two-time Pac-10 All-Academic First Team. Ranks second among WSU career shot-blockers with 133, behind James Donaldson (176). Sixth on WSU career rebounding list with 739. Needs six points to overtake Eddie Hill for 10th spot on career scoring list. Had 25-point, 16-rebound games against Washington and Stanford this season. Leads Pac-10 with 9.8 rebounds per game.