The Remarkable Student-Athletes of Morehouse & Colgate: Oliver Lynch-Daniels
Introduction
Archer’s Raiders is an organization that seeks to unify politically progressive fans, students, and alumni of Colgate University & Morehouse College through the passionate support of our sports programs. The namesake of this organization is Samuel “Big Boy” Archer Sr., one of the first Black football players to play for Colgate University and Morehouse College’s 5th President.
What follows this introduction is the third of many interviews I plan to host that are designed to showcase the nuance and intellect of current and former Colgate and Morehouse student-athletes. People often have the misconception that athletes are one dimensional; lacking the range to speak on different important issues facing the country today. But the fact is that pro and college level athletes are often intimately connected to their communities and the challenges facing them. These athletes have a unique platform to speak on these challenges and raise awareness about a host of important political issues.
Through these interviews and profiles, you will find that Colgate and Morehouse student athletes all have remarkable stories — and that each of them represents the values that our schools stand for in their own unique ways. Hopefully, the Colgate and Morehouse communities enjoy reading the profiles and watching the interviews as much as I enjoy putting them together.
Oliver Lynch-Daniels
High School basketball in America is serious business. While other countries cultivate streamlined professional academies to track and develop the sharpest talent residing in their borders; America relies on a largely disorganized and random landscape of public, private, and “post-grad” institutions to produce most of the greatest basketball players in the world.
In a time before high school coaches and talent evaluators began recruiting players out of middle school, it was not uncommon to find inner city public schools incubating some of the best basketball players in a given district or state. Indeed, it was possible for a school in which the vast majority of students qualify for free and reduced lunch to compete with wealthy, private school powerhouses. In the 70s and 80s, Washington D.C.’s Dunbar high school, for example, could count themselves amongst the nation’s best basketball programs — consistently competing with, and beating, private schools like DeMatha Catholic High.
This dynamic is all but gone in high school basketball today. Alas, over the last few decades, the balance of power has shifted considerably. Gone are the days when a public city school like the now defunct Spingarn High of Washington D.C. could produce an elite athlete of Elgin Baylor’s quality. “Elite-Athlete-Production” is now exclusively the real-estate of private and post-grad institutions.
In this modern era of high school basketball, talent is recruited from across the country to build some of the greatest teams known to man. Nowadays, there are many schools that serve as centers of “Elite-Athlete-Production” — from Sierra Canyon in Los Angeles, to IMG Academy in Bradenton. But the progenitor of these institutions — the first nouveau riche basketball powerhouse — was Oak Hill Academy.
Oak Hill Academy is a small Baptist boarding school in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia that enrolls roughly 140 students from grades 8–12. Despite being almost 150 years old, Oak Hill is a relatively new basketball powerhouse, winning their first National High School Championship in 1993. Since then, Oak Hill has been crowned champion of High School basketball 8 more times; the most recent title coming in 2016. In 2017, USA Today recognized Oak Hill’s dominance by naming them the 3rd best basketball program of the decade.
Like all truly excellent athletics programs; Oak Hill Basketball has produced countless great players over the last 3 decades. The best of these phenomenal athletes are immortalized by hanging their jerseys on the walls of the Academy, right outside the gym where so many titles have been won. Perhaps the most notable of these jerseys belongs to current NBA player and future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant; and, right next to his jersey, hangs that of Colgate University point guard Oliver Lynch-Daniels.
Oliver Lynch-Daniels is the second of three children born to Julianne and Jim. While originally from the tiny town of Wayzata, Minnesota, Oliver spent most of his formative years in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Chapel Hill is, for all intents and purposes, a college town. This is a lesson that young Oliver learned shortly after moving to the city, when, at the age of 5, he was asked by a Chapel Hill native whether he supported UNC or Duke.
Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill make up what is known as “The Triangle” in North Carolina. Durham is the home of Duke, NC State belongs to Raleigh, and Chapel Hill is the property of the University of North Carolina (not the other way around). To most Americans, UNC is primarily known for their historically great basketball program. So, as Chapel Hill is a college town, with the college in question being UNC, Chapel Hill is also a basketball town. It should come as no surprise then that Oliver first picked up a basketball after he and his family arrived in North Carolina.
As a youngster, Oliver was very active. He enjoyed spending time outside, engaging in games like tag and capture-the-flag with his neighbors and friends. He was also involved in athletics from a very young age, playing baseball, soccer, and basketball. He was quite good at all of them, but the ones he excelled most in were soccer and basketball. By the 5th grade, Oliver began seriously pursuing basketball, playing competitively for both his middle school and AAU teams. By the time he arrived at Cardinal Gibbons for his freshman year of high school, he was already one of the better players on the basketball team.
Oliver’s parents took note of his affinity for the game, and began looking at schools outside of North Carolina where he could fully realize his potential. It was through this search that the family found Oak Hill Academy.
Initially, Oliver had but a passing interest in attending Oak Hill. After all, it was a boarding school, and it was quite far from his home. He was also still playing soccer at a high level during his freshman year, and didn’t see the need to fully commit to one sport yet. However, during the summer after his Freshman year, things changed. He was invited to a camp at Oak Hill, and accepted the invitation. That summer, at Oak Hill Academy, Oliver Lynch-Daniels began to realize just how good he could be at basketball. He was one of the standout players in the camp. In fact, he played so well that he was told by the coaches that he had the ability to play for Oak Hill’s storied basketball program. But he wasn’t ready yet to commit all of his athletic energy to basketball. So he returned to Cardinal Gibbons for his sophomore year.
After another good season of basketball at Cardinal Gibbons, Oliver was faced with the familiar decision of whether to continue playing soccer or focus on basketball alone. After much reflection on his sophomore year, he came to realize that he spent most of his free time practicing and playing basketball, even when he didn’t have to. Indeed, he was a genuine basketball jones. And so, the Lynch-Daniels family collectively decided that Oliver would attend Oak Hill Academy and fully commit to the pursuit of a basketball career beyond high school.
In the beginning, it took some time for Oliver to get used to the unique culture of Oak Hill. Being away from home and living on his own was an adjustment in and of itself; but that adjustment was compounded by the Academy’s strict cell phone policy. During the first 6 weeks of school, cell phone use is strictly prohibited at Oak Hill. After that, it is allowed sparingly; perhaps 1 or 2 hours per day. While many young people would recoil from the structure imposed by an institution like Oak Hill, Oliver embraced it. The rules and regulations of the Academy forced him to mature quickly, and facilitated his sharp focus on academics and basketball.
As one might expect of a 9 time national championship winning program, the competition at Oak Hill was fierce. Indeed, practices were often tougher than games. Spots were few, and playing time was precious. After all, the great players that would have once suited up for public school powerhouses like Dunbar now called Oak Hill their home. The team was littered with 4 and 5 star players, each of whom was recruited by blue blood college programs like Duke and North Carolina. These players were often of immense physical stature, and profound natural athletic gifts. Compared to them, Oliver quickly realized that he possessed neither. He would have to find another edge to earn his playing time at Oak Hill — and find an edge he did. For what Oliver Lynch-Daniels lacked in physical ability, he made up in work ethic and mental discipline.
Despite having one of the best basketball programs in America, Oak Hill only has one gym; and that gym is always packed. Well, almost always. The only time that the Oak Hill gym is empty is early in the morning, well before the sun rises and classes start. This is understandable — after all, even elite athletes need to sleep. But, to keep up with his peers Oliver realized that early morning workouts would have to be his secret weapon. And so, Oliver Lynch-Daniels, along with one of his close teammates, woke up religiously at 5:45 every morning before classes to train. It was through these training sessions that he built his body and honed his game. Ultimately, his hard work paid off, and he earned several division I basketball scholarships by the end of his high school basketball career.
Oliver started playing collegiately at Houston Baptist University, where he spent 2 years. After the end of his sophomore year he decided to transfer to Colgate for the remainder of his career. At the time of his transfer, Division I athletes were still required to sit out a year before playing for their new school. Many players used to dread this year — but not Oliver. Instead of being a disengaged member of the team during his redshirt year, Oliver chose to be a proactive contributor, taking the initiative to help his teammates in whatever way he could. This most often manifested itself on the practice court, where Oliver consistently challenged himself and his teammates to improve.
By the time his 1st year of eligibility for Colgate came around, Oliver was ready to contribute in games. He was tasked with bringing energy off the bench, especially on the defensive end, and he eagerly took to this role. He also continued to push his teammates in practice and keep the morale of the squad high. Last season, Oliver took on an even greater role — he became Colgate’s sixth man. As his usage increased, his statistical output and efficiency remained exceptional. His excellence in this new role was rewarded with the Jack Bruen Most Improved Player Award. Humble as ever, Oliver attributes his improvement to the culture of the program, the tremendous coaching he’s received from the Colgate staff, and the belief and trust of his teammates.
In the coming season, Oliver expects to take on the biggest role of his college career. He will likely start for Colgate, and he looks forward to being one of the central leaders on the team. He intends on setting the tone for the season, and wants to help indoctrinate the incoming freshman in the Colgate culture.
One of the things Oliver has enjoyed most about his basketball career is the opportunities it has afforded him to help his teammates improve. It is through those experiences assisting his peers that Oliver found his passion for helping others. And, once his basketball-playing days are over, he plans on applying that passion, along with his degree in Educational Studies, to the field of education.
Oliver was a pleasure to speak with, and I was especially struck by his character, integrity, thoughtfulness, and humble spirit. I am grateful for the time he took to speak with me, and I enjoyed our discussion immensely. Hopefully, you will as well.
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For the first profile and interview of this series featuring Morehouse College basketball legend James Walker, click here.
For the second profile and interview of this series featuring Colgate University basketball player Jeff Woodward, click here.
For the fourth profile and interview of this series featuring Colgate University soccer player Max Edelstein, click here.
For the fifth profile and interview of this series featuring Colgate University soccer player Bobby Foose, click here.
For the sixth profile and interview of this series featuring Colgate University soccer player Alejandro Coury, click here.
For the seventh profile and interview of this series featuring Colgate University soccer player Mason Pahule, click here.
For the eighth profile and interview of this series featuring Colgate University rower Noha Shahba, click here.
For the ninth profile and interview of this series featuring Colgate University rugby player Tommy McHale, click here.
For the tenth profile and interview of this series featuring Colgate University soccer player Cason Stafford, click here.
For the eleventh profile and interview of this series featuring Colgate University soccer player Rory Brookhart, click here.
