Daniel Esparza Interview!

Playing hard on both ends of the court is a skill that often gets undervalued in basketball, which is ironic because it is often one of the biggest factors that differentiates winning basketball games from losing at the highest levels of this sport. Daniel Esparza is one of many Division 1 basketball players in the transfer portal right now, looking for a place to call home next year. He is an intense point guard that loves to get downhill and can draw two defenders at him with ease. With an extremely quick jump shot, he is an extremely accurate shooter who loves to get to his shot when defenders play his driving ability more. He is the definition of being able to score on all three levels. Having seen him play for many years though, what truly separates Daniel is his willingness to compete every possession is something that is not as common in players as bystanders may think. He has been playing against high-level competition for a long time, and he is not one to ever dodge or duck competition. He has a year of Division 1 basketball experience under his belt, and his best basketball is certainly ahead of him. He answered a few questions about himself, and I wish him nothing but the best of luck as he looks to find a home next year.

INTERVIEW:

1. For those who don’t know you, can you give a brief summary about who you are and where you have played at?

Daniel: "Hello, my name is Daniel Esparza and I’m from Whittier California. I’m a 6’2 guard and I just finished my freshman season at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. I played my high-school ball at Sonora high school all four years, and my AAU ball for Veritas throughout my high school and middle school years."

2. Outside of basketball, what are you passionate about? What do you spend time doing?

Daniel: "Outside of basketball I love watching movies. I love watching UFG fights with friends and I love hanging out with my family. I love going to the beach and chillin with my girl."

3. What was your recruitment process like coming out of high school, which schools were recruiting you the hardest?

Daniel: "The recruitment process coming out of high school was very fun. I had two division one offers. They were Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and University of the Pacific. The school that was recruiting me the hardest was Cal Poly. It was a fun time and a great experience."

4. You stayed at Sonora, a public school not necessarily known for their basketball in San Diego, what led you to make that move rather than going to a bigger basketball private school?

Daniel: "Sonora was a great time in my life. I wanted to stay at Sonora to create a legacy for myself and for the school as well. I loved the coaching staff there and I made many good friends. Play with my best friends every day and winnings tons the games is something I’ll never forget."

5. Which games and memories stand out to you the most from this past season at Cal Poly Slo?

Daniel: "Finishing off the season on back to back wins against UC Irvine and UC San Diego was awesome and was hard work paid off."

6. Who was the toughest player or team you have played against in your career thus far?

Daniel: "The most talented player I’ve ever played against was Josh Christopher. My school played him three out of the four years I was at Sonora . He was always a tough challenge as he could score on so many levels."

7. Who is the most talented player you have played with in your career thus far?

Daniel: "The most talented player that I have played with was my high school teammate Marqui Worthy. This dude could score at all three levels And jump out the gym. He was a phenomenal defender and never stopped playing hard.He’s also the best teammate I’ve ever played with."

8. You played your AAU ball with Veritas, why is that and how have they helped you along your process?

Daniel: "I chose to play with Veritas because of how they taught the game of basketball. The program is all about toughness and they produce college players. I truly love and appreciate the coaching staff at Veritas. Brian Sanchez, George Zedan, Eli, Randy Oronoz and many others really helped me become the player that I am today. They pushed me every day and helped me get my college offers."

9. You entered the transfer portal, what are you looking for in a school next year?

Daniel: "At the end of my freshman season at Cal Poly I decided to enter the transfer portal. Next year I’m looking to play at a program that believes in me, has a great culture, a family feel to the school, and great academics."

10. What was your favorite NBA team and player growing up?

Daniel: "My favorite NBA team growing up was the Lakers. My favorite player growing up was Kobe. I loved how hard he worked and how intense he was every time he stepped on the court. I loved the whole Lakers team that included Kobe,Derek Fisher, Paul Gasol, Lamar Odom, Ron Artest, and Trevor Ariza."

11. What are you looking to improve on and show scouts and your coaches that you have improved on going into your sophomore season?

Daniel: "One thing I’m really looking to improve on is my pick and roll game. I feel it has gotten better and better through my career and I’m really trying to master it in the off-season."

12. What is your end goal for basketball?

Daniel: "Ultimately, I want to play professional basketball overseas. I have dreamed about playing the Euro League for a very long time. I feel like going to a country in Europe and playing professional basketball be amazing experience and an opportunity I would never pass up."

13. What is the biggest transition from playing high school basketball to playing Division 1 basketball?

Daniel: "The biggest transition from high-school basketball to Division I basketball is the pace of the game. The players are much faster, but the game is so much more controlled. The game can feel very fast and slow at the same time. Finding the right pace and speed is very important."

14. What is something unique about your game that makes you stand out from other guards?

Daniel: "One thing that is unique about me and from other guards is how intense I am on the court. I feel that I’m always the loudest person on the court and talking the most at all times. I do all the dirty work like taking charges and diving on the court. I also feel the my ability to shoot the three ball from deep causes defenders to guard me tougher and more than they want to."

15. What is your schedule like right now while you prepare for your sophomore season?

Daniel: "My schedule right now consists of finishing school off strong. Besides school, I’m just working out every day. I’m getting a lot of shots up and lifting. Staying in shape is very important to me as well so I’ll go on runs around campus or hit the track."

16. Who is your favorites for this year’s NBA championship?

Daniel: "Personally I think the Bucks are going to win. They have a team that plays really well together with no selfishness involved. Giannis Antetokounmpo is unstoppable and they have great for general and Jrue Holliday. They’ve already won a championship and they know what it takes."