Hot Shot: Stagg's Darius Draper Honored as Top Winter Sports Athlete

Darius Draper, Stagg, senior, boys basketball

* Draper averaged 17.3 points and 9.5 rebounds. He was an all-tournament selection at John McBride Thanksgiving Classic.

* He was recognized as an all-conference pick in the Southwest Suburban Red for the third year in a row after leading the Chargers to a 21-6 record and an 11-3 mark in conference play, good for second place.

* He was an IBCA honorable-mention all-state selection.

* He was an all-area pick in the The Daily Southtown and an all-area selection in the Regional Reporter for the second year in a row.

* He was named Stagg's MVP for the second year in a row and served as one of the Chargers' team captains.

* He earned academic all-conference honors by maintaining a 3.0 GPA throughout the season and throughout his playing career at Stagg.

"As I look back at this season, I am proud of what our team accomplished, but in a way I am disappointed we could not do more. I will miss my teammates and coaches. This year was a lot of fun, I remember all of our OT wins (6-0) and that big win over Thornton. It was great to see all of our hard work pay off with success on the court. The hardest part of the season was after the last game, sitting there in the locker room knowing that I wouldn’t be able to take the court again with my friends. But I guess the best part is knowing that as I leave Stagg I will have these teammates as friends forever, and we will all be able to talk about the good times of 2011."

"When I look back at Darius’s four years here at Stagg, I see a three-year varsity starter who helped our program win 47 games. Darius might be the best all-around player that I have had the privilege to coach. The program will miss his leadership and his hard work.  Darius was a captain who led by example, both in the classroom and on the court. I tell college coaches who are recruiting him that Darius is a great player, but an even better person."

Draper maintains a 3.5 GPA. Daniels calls him an excellent student and athlete. At this time, Draper has not made a college decision.

He said he admires what his parents gave up in order to give him the chance to play basketball.

"I admire my mom and dad for giving me the chance to succeed," Draper said. "I know a lot of sacrifices were made so I could play ball, but I am thankful they gave me the chance."

Draper said his teammates were the reason that he brought his best effort to the court.

"My teammates inspire me," he said. "I don’t want to let down my coaches or teammates. I want to worker harder and get better each day so I can help the team succeed."