Under The Radar No More

Junior Dani Fielder has progressed so much since the first time I saw her as an energetic and bright eyed middle school ball player that she has become one of GPR’s top area prospects in the 2013 class. Long and athletic, I expected the growth spurt based on her 6’5 dad and she has climbed to a tad over 6’0 as she enters what I consider the most important summer of her basketball career. Starring on Cy Creek’s varsity the past two season, Fielder has been named All District twice and is averaging almost as many points as minutes played on her high school team where they have enjoyed back to back playoff seasons. This year they ran into defending Region 3 champion Elsik in the first round which ended their season however Fielder will get another shot next season as the playing field will be wide open in the area as far as who goes to state. Last weekend I had several club coaches ask me who the long athletic kid was playing for the Fireballers and I responded someone you better keep an eye on throughout the summer. I caught up with the talented and articulate young lady and asked her a few questions.

GPR -Dani, I’ve been watching you play what seems like forever now and one thing I always look for in players is progression which I’ve definitely seen in your game over the years. Is there anything you feel like you need to improve on?

DF- In my opinion, I would say I need to improve on my ball handling.

GPR – I know your dad played basketball back in the day so is this why you decided to play and if so how hard is he on you to keep getting better?

DF-Yes, my Dad’s accomplishments in basketball was really a big motivation to pursue playing the game. He stays on me constantly about training and having a mindset of a Division 1 student athlete, and just shows me how to enjoy basketball itself.

GPR-.This is going to be the biggest and most important summer ever for you involving basketball and although you may not be a household name you are definitely one of the top players in the area in my opinion. Does being under the radar motivate you even more?

DF-Being under the radar really does motivate me more than anything. It motivates me to step up my game on and off the court, and it makes me want to show the basketball world that I am a force to be reckoned with. It motivates me to push harder and harder each day, just to be the girl that everyone says “Where did she come from?” or “That’s Dani Fielder!” in every game I play. Being under the radar is motivating me to be that dominate basketball player I know I can be.

Without a doubt she has the right mindset and what I failed to mention is how unselfish she is and loves getting her teammates involved. She won’t be under the radar for long and remember who told you so.

Fielder will be playing in the Alodia Rising Stars Showcase April 20th-22nd along with a host of unsigned seniors including the top unsigned prospect in the area Akunna Elonu