Buzz

Daniel Kabeya: Under the Radar

Published by CROWN staff on June 22, 2009

Class: 2009
Position: Combo guard
Height/Weight: 6’1/165 Lbs.
School: Ross Sheppard (Edmonton, AB)

Daniel Kabeya Throwing it Down

Daniel Kabeya just finished off his senior year at Ross Sheppard High school in Edmonton, Alberta where he played as a combo guard and posted 15ppg, 8rpg, 6apg, 2bpg; while helping lead his squad to a 28-7 record. For the college/university coaches reading this, you may have this 6’1 leaper in your program in the near future if you make the right move. “I was planning on playing Juco in Washington Spokane. But now I’m going take a year off and go to Ottawa and train and get bigger, for the following season.”
Kabeya has several tools that coaches look for in a guard and also has the potential to improve on his raw talent. He is a great defender at the guard position, using his athleticism and length to stifle opposing wings, disregarding any height advantage they may have on Kabeya. He is great in the passing lanes and will block players consistently as a help defender as well as on the ball.

Kabeya with a big rejection

Daniel maximizes his athleticism and puts it to use with virtually everything he does on the court whether it’s rebounding, blocking shots, intercepting passes or gliding to the basket and scoring. Although this can be seen as an advantage in most cases, he must learn to combine his athleticism with more fundamental skills, which will help him avoid wrong decisions leading to turnovers, fouls or poorly missed shots. “My biggest weakness is my ball handling. I’m working at it every day just to get that crisp handle now though. A lot of drills I’ve learnt, I’m using now to help me out.”

His game is reminiscent of a shorter Dwayne Wade as his craftiness fused with his “springs” draws this resemblance. Kabeya already owns a solid all-around game but with a little fine tuning, has the abilities to become an elite player. “My favourite baller is Lebron James but I model my game more towards Dwade, I have the same kind of flow of the game like him because I’m a slasher.”
After dunk championships, premier city championships, tournament all-star selections and a mountain of potential, Kabeya is still yet to find the right fit.

Kabeya has been on the CROWN radar for some time now, is he on yours?

–By Tariq Sbiet–

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