As a freshman, he was teammates with his older brother Jalen and helped Federal Way win its second straight Class 4A state championship.

[1] McDaniels averaged 2.4 points and 1.8 rebounds per game on the varsity team and was forced to shoot with his left hand due to a right elbow injury.

[3] In the season, he averaged 21.3 points, 10 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 3.3 blocks per game and earned USA Today All-USA Washington first team honors.

[4] In May 2018, McDaniels saw breakout success at the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) with Seattle Rotary, bolstering his position as a top recruit in the 2019 class.

[7] McDaniels averaged 23.3 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two blocks per game in his senior season, leading his team to third place at the 4A state tournament.

[11][12] By the end of his high-school career, McDaniels was considered a consensus five-star recruit and the best power forward in the 2019 class.

[21] On April 9, 2023, McDaniels sustained a fracture in his right hand after he punched a wall following a 113–108 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

[23] During an on-court altercation at a November 14 game between the Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors, McDaniels pulled Klay Thompson over and ripped his jersey, which started a brawl.