Sumter YDC: A Visit from Marquis Daniels

Story information and photos from Director of Victim and Volunteer Services Latera Davis

Recently, former National Basketball Association player Marquis Daniels spoke with the youth players of the Sumter Youth Development Campus (Sumter YDC) basketball team. A 10-year player in the NBA, Daniels shared his personal journey from a troubled childhood to the success he has found since in life.

For Daniels, the obstacles he faced as a youth were similar to those of the Sumter YDC youth. From having a drug-addicted mother, growing up in impoverished and unstable housing, living from family member to family member, Marquis Daniels did not experience stability when growing up. Activities such as regularly attending school were difficult for Marquis because he couldn't even afford proper clothing, telling the Sumter youth that times were so tough that "I remember Christmas shopping at Goodwill one year."

However tough things got for Daniels, he never gave up hope or stopped looking for opportunities to succeed. In his life, this first breakthrough came when he was given an opportunity to change high schools to play basketball and then being offered a scholarship to play basketball for Auburn University. At Auburn University Daniels met his future wife, who helped provide a second opportunity for his life; his wife was and is Marquis Daniels' support system, pushing and encouraging him to be his very best.

The youth of the Sumter YDC appreciated the words of wisdom gleaned from the hard work and success life of Marquis Daniels. Encouraging education, Mr. Daniels stated that "being ignorant is more expensive than getting a free education any day" and that everyone should pursue their fullest potential, because they are all gifted. During the question/answer session, Daniels told the youth that the hardest challenge in the NBA is "remaining determined and working out in the off- season, because there is no one standing over you to push you and that when you get back, there is an expectation that you will be ready to play."

The staff and youth of the Sumter YDC thanks and is appreciative of Marquis Daniels for spending the time to share his life story.