Daniel Nixon, a 6-foot, 7-inch forward out of White Plains, New York, signed a national letter of intent to join the men’s basketball program, athletic department officials announced Wednesday.
The three-star recruit out of Winston Salem Christian School in North Carolina joins the Colonials following a trio of incoming transfers, including Arizona senior forward Ira Lee, Virginia Tech freshman guard Joe Bamisile and Connecticut junior guard Brendan Adams.
“You’re going to get a guy who’s willing to work, willing to be coachable, and willing to just play as hard as they can every single possession because I just want to win,” Nixon said in a January interview with Jacob Polacheck of Zagsblog.com.
Nixon verbally committed to the Colonials in December, accompanying New Zealand-native freshman forward Tafara Gapare and DMV product freshman guard Brayon Freeman, who committed in May and August, respectively.
Nixon said he visited campus his junior year of high school prior to the pandemic and connected with the school and the coaching staff.
“I just felt that love and ever since then, it just kept going,” Nixon said. “Going in, I had a lot of respect for the coaches. It just felt like family, it felt like home as well when I visited.”
Nixon received offers from other Division I programs, like Iowa, Ole Miss and Wake Forest, the release states. Head coach Jamion Christian said in the release he is “excited” to watch Nixon develop under him and is ready to push Nixon to be “the best he can be.”
“We are building this roster around guys who can play multiple positions, have tremendous ball skills, and play with great toughness,” Christian said. “Those are a few of the best qualities that Daniel brings to the table.”
He ranks 51st among small forwards for the graduating Class of 2021, according to 247Sports.
“Obviously, when you see him his size jumps out at you,” Christian said. “Walking in the door at the size and strength of an A-10 player already is very important as we continue to add key pieces to the roster.”
The signing comes as Christian seeks to rebuild a depleted roster. Eight players have left the program since the start of last season, leaving just seven active players on the team.
Senior guard Maceo Jack, senior forward Ace Stallings and sophomore guard Jameer Nelson Jr. parted ways with the team in December. Junior forward Sloan Seymour, sophomore forwards Jamison Battle and Chase Paar freshman guard Lincoln Ball and freshman guard Tyler Brelsford transferred in March.
“The deciding factor for us was how badly he wanted to be at GW,” Christian said. “Through the process of getting to know one another, we each had a strong recognition that Daniel and GW can do big things together.”
Roman Bobek contributed reporting.
