Since he was a young Bulldog playing youth basketball, the hype around Parker McDaniel has been hard to ignore.

From his days lighting it up in elementary to helping lead his junior high teams to wins in junior high, everyone knew what was coming.

But even his biggest of fans didn't expect his freshman season to look like that.

The 15-year-old lit it up in his first varsity season for Lincoln Christian, leading the Bulldogs in scoring and helping the program to its first state tournament appearance in eight years.

And as the season came to a close and things wound down, the accolades began to ramp up.

First, McDaniel was named all-conference by the Pinnacle Conference after helping lead Lincoln to a top three finish.

And after his run through the Class 3A playoffs, the state's biggest media outlets took notice.

McDaniel was named to the Tulsa World All-World Second Team, among a loaded crop of talent from the metro area and state of Oklahoma.

He was also selected as one of five to be named Class 3A All-State by The Oklahoman after being one of the top scorers in the class at 19.4 points per game. McDaniel made 86 threes in his freshman campaign, while shooting 41% from three, 46% from the field and 88% from the foul line. He also averaged 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per contest.

However, the most impressive of honors came from a national media outlet.

McDaniel was one of 25 freshman nationwide to be named to the All-American team by MaxPreps.

The freshman was selected as honorable mention and is just the 5th male basketball player from Oklahoma to be named to the team in the website's history.

It was icing on the cake to what is likely the best individual season in school history in his opening act.

'Parker came into high school with high expectations and tons of pressure," said head coach Jonathan Hopkins. "It was amazing to me to watch Parker handle the pressure and exceed most expectations."

McDaniel was off to the races from the get-go, scoring 31 points in a win over McLain in just the second game of the year.

He would go on to score 30+ six different times and in double-figures in 28 of 31 games.

"Most freshmen hit a wall or a plateau at some point in the season because the high school season is drastically longer than the junior high season," said Hopkins.

"But Parker got better as the year went along. His learning curve this season was off the chart. It was fun to watch him mature in every aspect of his game."

McDaniel has reeled in three Division-1 offers during his freshman year, which was not too surprising to Hopkins.

But when the national recognition came, it took things to a whole new level.

"I have to admit, I expected him to get college offers) as a freshman," Hopkins said. "I even expected him to get recognition across the state. But when the Max Preps Freshmen All-American article popped up in my email, I was ecstatic for Parker and very proud of him. That exceeded my expectations."

And after helping lead the Bulldogs to 20 wins and state tournament appearance, McDaniel's 2025 isn't over yet.

The freshman phenom will compete with the nation's best, hoping to make the Team USA 16U squad this summer.

"But with all of the awards and recognition, he still has one more goal to accomplish this year and that's making the 12 man roster on Team USA's 16U team," said Hopkins. "As one of 25 athletes from the class of 2027 and 2028, Parker will go to Colorado Springs towards the end of May and compete in a camp for his opportunity to make the team."

"If he makes the team, he will leave directly from that camp and represent Team USA in international competitions."

McDaniel's shooting ability and offensive skill, along with his competitiveness and drive, gives him a great chance to find a spot on that team and continue making a name for himself.

"Qualifying for Team USA would cap off an already tremendous season, and I believe it is going to happen," Hopkins said. "Parker is not only an elite scorer, but he is an elite competitor. His skill level has gotten him to this point, but I believe his will will carry him to the honor of wearing the Team USA jersey in international competition."

After a stellar opening act at Lincoln Christian, the sky is the limit for McDaniel as he transitions to his sophomore year over what should be a big summer on the largest stage.

"Parker is a great teammate and leader," Hopkins said. "He made his teammates better this season at Lincoln Christian and I believe he will have a similar effect on his teammates at Team USA."

"Given the opportunity, I know he will exceed expectations with Team USA like he did at LCS his freshman year."



Photos by Lee Talley