Gafford Talks About His Experience At Nike Basketball Academy

FAYETTEVILLE – University of Arkansas sophomore Daniel Gafford, one of the nation’s premier big men, was invited to participate in the Nike Basketball Academy (Aug. 8-12) in Los Angeles.

The annual developmental camp allowed Gafford and 24 other highly-touted college basketball players the opportunity to learn and train with current and past NBA superstars through a series of off-court workouts, drills, film sessions and 5-on-5 competition.

“I was honored to be invited,” Gafford said. “The atmosphere was great and everyone was there to work hard. It was a working atmosphere. That was something I liked and something I am ready for. I feel I have another level to get to. I can’t stop where I am now. I have to continue to get better.”

Among the NBA players present this summer were LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Gafford was one of three SEC players invited along with Alabama’s Herbert Jones and John Petty.

Gafford was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team this past season as he established himself as one of the most athletic big men in the nation. Not only did he record 76 blocked shots to rank 22nd in the nation, but he threw down 75 dunks, which was more than six other SEC teams had for the 2017-18 season. He was a three-time SEC Freshman of the Week, being the only rookie to be such honored last season, and was the first Razorback freshman to record at least 400 points, 200 rebounds and 60 blocked shots in a season.