Chicago Demons Basketball Program

EDINBURG –When you ask University of Texas-Pan American Broncs men's basketball player and senior Jamal Dantzler how he would characterize himself, he replies with self-driven and humble, which is a big reason why he plays basketball today.

Dantzler, a Chicago-native, started playing basketball when he was in the eighth grade. No one from his family introduced him to the game, he picked up as he saw it everyday walking to the park.

"I actually introduced my self to game myself," Dantlzler said. "I used to walk to the park down my street and one day I tried it out. Now, here I am today."

At first, it was just a game to Dantzler, just like any game for a kid but he realized that he found something in basketball and didn't want to let it slip through his fingers.

"I really didn't take it seriously at first," Dantzler said. "I started to notice some good results. I was actually pretty good. I started to take it more seriously and it turned out good for me."

Intrigued by his success on the court, Dantzler joined his eighth grade basketball team where, with the help of his coach Marvin Williams, he learned to see the game in a different way.

"It was my first time playing organized basketball," Dantzler said. "He taught me how to be disciplined, how to see certain things on the court and how to act off the court. He had a big impact on my basketball life."

Dantzler continued playing basketball as he entered Von Steuben High School. His time in AAU basketball is something that he cherishes.

"I think the AAU summer circuit with the Chicago Demons was one of the best times of my life," Dantzler said. "I got to spend time with my friends as we traveled all around the world. We had fun just playing basketball. It was one of the best times for me."

Danztler continued to see the results on the court throughout high school but he remained humble even when those around him started to see his hard work and his potential.

"I was the fan favorite," Dantzler said. "Everyone loved me because I gave it my all every night. I remained humble though. I would have a big game but the next day at school I was even keeled. Being humble in certain situations helped me out so much."

At this point in Dantzler's basketball career, he realized that basketball was important to him and that he couldn't take it for granted.

"It's very important now," Dantzler said. "When I first started I really didn't care but as I saw the results and got advice from all the coaches I learned how to cherish it and now I really value it. It is going well today."

Dantzler went on to play basketball at Kennedy King Community College in Chicago. There he saw some of his best days on the court. Not only was he playing well but he also got to play basketball with his best friend Anthony Kirkland.

"Kennedy King College was the best," Dantzler said. "As far as basketball, I was playing at a high level and I was playing with my best friend. We brought some hardware to the school after finishing runner up at the regional championship."

Kirkland is currently the head boy's basketball coach at Dyett High School. Kirkland acted like a coach long before he had the title as he helped Dantzler take another step step forward in his basketball career.

"We both are big on basketball," Dantzler said. "We balance each other out and keep each other motivated. He was always in my ear telling me the things I should and shouldn't be doing. He was like another set of eyes and ears for me. Almost like a coach."

From Kennedy King Community College, Dantzler had options to play at the Division I level but as fate would have it he ended up choosing UTPA.

"I was getting interest from Central Michigan, Wisconsin-Green Bay and UIC," Dantzler said. "I was on the verge of setting up a visit with Central Michigan before all their staff got fired and that's when UTPA stepped in. After the visit, I knew this was the place for me."

In his first season with the Broncs, Dantzler played in 32 games while averaging 12 minutes per game. He helped the Broncs to a 16-16 record last season but he felt like he could have done more.

"Individually, I felt like I could have brought more to the team," Dantzler said. "Overall, we ended with a .500 record so overall I felt it was a good season."

Going into his second season, Dantzler got a whole new coaching staff, which meant that he was going to have to adjust not only to new coaches but also a new team system but it was something he had been doing ever since he started playing basketball.

"I am getting the hang of it," Dantzler said. "So far I have been doing alright. I have been transferring from school to school during high school and junior college so I am kind of used to it. It is not that hard to make the adjustment going from coach to coach."

This season, Dantzler has seen action in 22 games while getting the starting nod in two of those games. With his final season winding down, he can look back to some good memories. One in particular that stays on his mind is the win over Portland on December 29, 2012.

"We went on the road to play Portland University," Dantzler said. "That was a huge win for us. I remember down the stretch Aaron Urbanus drove the base line and then kicked it out to me with two seconds left on the shot clock. I knocked down the three to kind of seal the game. That was a good memory for me."

After it is all said and done, Dantzler would like to be a coach. With what he has experienced and has learned along the way he feels like he could give back to the game.

"I want to be a coach," Dantzler said. "I feel like I have seen enough on and off the court to help kids grow up to be better basketball players. I should be able to give back now. Since I didn't have anything like that when I was growing up as a kid I have to pick up the ball myself. I want to give back to the community."

Looking back, if Dantzler could do it all over again, he wouldn't change a thing.

"I think everything has happened for a reason," Dantzler said. "I am good at adjusting with everything around me. I wouldn't change a thing. I had a good time here at UTPA."