by By Dan Ninham
David Danforth III, 16, is Oneida and a member of the Turtle clan. “My Indian name is ‘La´nahkwahawi’ and it means ‘he carries a drum’. I attend Green Bay Southwest High School. My father’s name is David Danforth, Jr. and my mom’s name is Tanya Danforth.”
“My biggest accomplishments were being named to the 2015 All State tournament team, 2017 All State tournament team, 2017 Badgerland State championships all tournament team, and placed 3rd at 2017 NAIG with Team Wisconsin.”
“I scored 38 ppg during the 2017 NAIG, and was named 2018-2019 top class of 2022 Prospects in Wisconsin,” added David.
“In 2018-2019 I averged 14.2 ppg, was named 2018-2019 Honorable Mention all conference, 2018-2019 all tournament team of Oneida Thunderhawks holiday classic,” said David.
“In 2019-2020 I averaged 7.9 ppg, and was named to the 2019-2020 Northern Indigenous All State Team in Wisconsin,” added David.
“A good mind, a good heart, and a strong fire are our Oneida Nation core values,” said David. “These core values define me as a student athlete, in that I have a good mindset to help people on and off the court. I use these core values to clear my mind and energies before every game. Having a strong heart, mind and fire is what helped push me through all the obstacles that have been brought to me so far in my life.”
“Many people have influenced me in my life and a few stand out to me,” said David.
“Scott Murray passed away in 2015 and he influenced me early in my life,” said David. “He was the head coach at Oneida Nation High School, and he worked at our local Oneida Nation Fitness Center. He was having high school practice and I was in fifth grade when he had let me practice with his high school team.”
“Every time I encountered Scott he always had something positive to say to me,” added David.
“My father David Danforth, Jr. is my biggest influence,” said David. “He trained me since I was two years old, every night for 3+ hours we were in the gym working on my game, even until this day. He is the biggest role model in my life from teaching me how to play basketball to teaching me how to be a respectful young man,”
“David’s had the ball in his hands since he was able to walk,” said dad David Danforth, Jr. “He started playing organized basketball in second grade. As a second grader he possessed tremendous skills, athleticism, and an overall good feel for the game. I’d say it was at that point he started to take ownership of being a leader as a basketball player.”
“David’s on court confidences was a spring board for the rest of the facets in his life including his academics,” said David, Jr. “As David’s parents we always encourage him to treat life with respect and always give your best effort to whatever you do in life.”
“David has always dedicated his time and energies to the game of basketball and his academics,” said David, Jr. “If he wasn’t studying, he was in the gym and vise versa. David is known as a very hard and efficient worker. His peers and even older players always looked to him as an exquisite example of how to approach the game.”
“David has a soft manner to him,” said David, Jr. “He’s always been a lead by example first type. As David matured, he was able to identify and take charge of situations that needs a vocal leader. I think a good example is you can clearly hear David always talking on defense.”
“David has always been regarded as a joy to be around by his teachers and coaches on and off the court,” added David, Jr.
“Jamison King was my coach freshman year at Oneida High School,” said David. “He taught me a lot my freshman year, as I played starting point guard on varsity my freshman year. He influenced my game and knowledge of the game tremendously.”
“I had the opportunity to coach David his freshman year,” said Jamison King, head boy’s basketball at Oneida Nation HS.
“He always brought a good attitude, and worked hard everyday,” said Jamison. “He took on a huge role as a freshman playing varsity, and he had major growth from the beginning of the season to the end. David can pretty much do it all on the basketball court, he has great handles, court vision, and was a really good shooter. I recall towards the end of his freshman year he had three consecutive games of 28-30 points. Opposing players and coaches always had good compliments about his good attitude and game.”
“He has always upheld his responsibilities in the classroom and great model with his behavior on and off the court,” said Jamison. “I know playing at the collegiate level is in his future and he is taking all the right steps with his academics and game to make that possible.”
“This kid breathes basketball so I know his recent challenge with the injury was something he was going to come back stronger from,” said Jamison. “If you get to know David, you know how much he loves the game of basketball. I admire that strength and determination he has shown.”
On June 15, 2020 David III suffered a serious arm break during practice. “We were preparing for the upcoming AAU season and we were scrimmaging some older guys,” said David, Jr. “David and an older guy got their legs tangled up on a rebound and the guy accidentally fell on David breaking both bones in his right arm. The break required surgery and took place the same day as the break. Thankfully the surgery was a success and David began his road to recovery.”
“Thirty days and just shy of four weeks after his surgery he picked up a basketball again and began training,” said David, Jr. “At the six week mark he played in a national tournament in Minneapolis and he played three games averaging 12.6 ppg. The final game of the weekend he scored 21 points with five three-pointers and helped his team to their first victory of the weekend. He will be back on the court this weekend for his fourth game back at eight weeks since the break.”
“John Polkowski, head coach at Green Bay Southwest HS, influenced me by giving me the opportunity before entering high school to play summer basketball with the varsity team and going to the Wisconsin Team Camp,” said David. “He gave me early opportunities and has taught me a lot being a young point guard for his team.”
“David will have the opportunity to step in to a leadership this year,” said Coach John Polkowski. “As a sophomore, David was a starter and key contributor to our success. This year we look forward to him taking a larger role on and off the court.”
“Academics are important to David and that can be easily seen to his dedication in the classroom,” added John.
“On the court, David brings a 3-point threat along with his ability to get to the rim,” said John. “David knows that his success is determined by the teams success. Therefore, his ability to get others involved will be important to our overall success.”
“My favorite story to tell people is about the 2017 North American Indigenous Games experience, the greatest week of my life,” said David. “I was 13 years old playing in the U14 division. I averaged 38 ppg and going into the games I was excited and nervous, knowing that I would be the guy for our team just being the natural leader I am. I knew that we had a chance to take home some type of medal and we did just that by leading us to a bronze medal at the games.”
Photo Credit: D.King of Images
