Meet the Wildcats: #33 Daniel Orton
By Staff
FRESHMAN
FORWARD
6’10 255
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
BISHOP McGUINESS HS
BEFORE UK:
Daniel did not play in most of his senior season due to a knee injury but he did return to play in the Oklahoma State Tournament. As a junior, Daniel averaged 14 points, 11 rebounds and 5 blocked shots a game. Even though he missed most of his senior season, Daniel was still very rated very highly: He was rated the #4 highest C and #13rd best player overall by ESPN and 3rd best C and #22 overall by rivals.com.
FROM ESPN: Orton is a true center that is very strong and athletic. He runs well even through when I saw him he was wearing a huge knee brace on his left knee that seemed to slow his mobility at times especially when he became tired. His productivity in the post is centered on his quick post moves after he establishes himself in the lane by using his big body to seal his man. Orton likes to use the up and under move on the left low box and on the right low box he favored the quick spin baseline to attack with his right hand if the defender was to close on the catch.
WE KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER:
Daniel spent most of the summer with Patrick Patterson training with Frank Matrisciano, otherwise known as “Hell’s Trainer” in San Francisco. Matrisciano is a personal trainer who has pushed many to their absolute limits which some say is his ultimate gift: the ability to identify exactly where each of his client’s “limit” is. He has trained boxers, MMA & Martial Artists, Federal Marshalls, Firemen, Policemen, Pro Athletes, and Military Personnel. And of course, he trains the occasional basketball player. Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin trained with Hell’s Trainer before dominating the Big 12 last year and one hopes that Orton can benefit accordingly.
WHAT TO EXPECT THIS SEASON:
Orton has the unenviable job of competing for playing time with DeMarcus Cousins, but if early reports from practice are accurate, Daniel has a very good shot at being a big contributor this season. Orton had 14 points and 8 rebounds in the Blue/White game and played very well in the first exhibition and showing a good grasp of the DDMO. He only played a few minutes in the Clarion game due to mysterious chest pains, but he appears to be in good health now. He also seems to be fully recovered from last season’s knee injury.
Calipari has stated that he will try to find ways to get both Orton and Cousins on the court at the same time and it looks like Orton can average about 15 – 18 minutes a game, but will get more minutes depending on the matchups. From what we have seen, Orton is as good creating scoring opportunities for himself as well as for others. We could probably expect him to average around 8 points and 6 boards a game but like most players on this roster, he has the potential to get a double double on any given night.
Daniel on the benefits of his offseason training program: “I’m more explosive. I’m able to jump a lot quicker. I was already a pretty quick jumper, but I was jumping a whole lot quicker. I was also catching tip dunks like I never had before, and I was tipping the ball back in really well” (from Catspause)
CALIPARI ON DANIEL:
“Daniel is a very, driven and passionate individual. He has worked himself into excellent shape during the offseason. The adversity he has overcome in the last year seems to have made him stronger. He gained confidence over the summer that should be beneficial in the upcoming season.”
Keep following www.http://wildcatbluenation.com for the best in Kentucky basketball and football news, rumors, and opinions. By Kentucky fans for Kentucky fans