Xavier's Dailyn Swain Talks Journey, Adversity in Freshman Season, Tatum Elite Camp & More | 2025 LH Watchlist

Xavier sophomore Dailyn Swain sits down with League Him founder Jacob Myers to discuss his basketball journey, recruitment process, decision to choose Xavier, and reflections on his freshman season. The conversation covers his battle with adversity, including a season-ending appendectomy and the rehab process, as well as his experience playing for Coach Sean Miller, player development, and NBA aspirations.

Off the court, Swain shares insights into his personality, his mental toughness, the importance of family, and his deep care for others. He also talks about growing up an OKC Thunder fan, drawing inspiration from Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook, and participating in the Jayson Tatum Elite Camp. This interview is the first installment of the 2025 League Him Watchlist, where we spotlight the journeys and games of emerging basketball prospects.

Jacob: Could you walk us through the origins of your basketball journey?

Dailyn: Really just my journey… I started playing basketball pretty young, around I would say like 3rd grade. I really didn’t take it seriously until around like… middle school when I realized I kinda had a little bit of talent. I wasn’t the tallest dude all of the time, kinda hit my growth spurt toward high school. I was like 6’3” my freshman year, but you know basketball was kinda like a hobby to me. My uncles played professional so I looked up to them, so I naturally was around the game, but I won’t say I was fully committed, like I didn’t love the game as much as I do now… until around like 8th grade/high school. And just ever since then it’s been my dream to play in the NBA, so I’ve been working towards that since then.

Jacob: You played a lot of sports growing up, right?

Dailyn: Yes, I played like football, soccer, baseball, basketball…

Jacob: I think might’ve you left one out… I did my research, haha. Was there another sport?

Dailyn: Chill, chill, chill, chill, chill, nah I played tennis in high school and that was fun.

Jacob: I heard that during your college recruitment—a coach came to watch you play tennis. How accurate is that, haha?

Dailyn: Uh, it’s accurate but not in a sense like… it kinda gets messed up, haha. Really what happened was—I wasn’t getting recruited for tennis—it was the coaching staff at Ohio State, like they wanted me for basketball. So they just wanted to, you know, kinda build that relationship. So, yeah, they came to my tennis match. It was cool.

Jacob: You know, this time last year, you’re going into your first season in college at Xavier… grew up in Ohio… what did it mean to you to choose Xavier and what were your expectations like going into your freshman season?

Dailyn: I feel like choosing Xavier, it kinda all worked out perfectly—kinda like how you say “In Due Time”—I was kinda stressing about it and honestly it just, the perfect decision just fell into my lap, with patience and just talking to my family, weighing all my options, and I think it means a lot—obviously it’s not my hometown school exactly—but it’s still in Ohio. I feel like I’m away from home but not too far. It’s perfect for me. My expectations… really, I just wanted to get the chance to get my feet wet at all, with any experience, and I would say I kinda got lucky with the circumstances of our team, you know, just getting the opportunity to play early and learn a lot of things early, as young as I was and as early in my career as I am. So I feel like it all kinda worked out perfectly.

Jacob: You played over 20 minutes in seven of your first ten games, more than most freshmen. What was it like playing against top-ranked Purdue at Mackey Arena in your third game? Was that a confidence-boosting moment?

Dailyn: That kinda was my moment where it let me know like, okay, like I’m here now. The first game we played Robert Morris—we won, so I was just happy with that. We won. We played Jacksonville—I had a pretty good game, and then going into Mackey, like the number one team, some would say, and I knew, I figured I was gonna get minutes so I was thinking about it like the night before, and it really made it like, extreme, like we got to shootaround—the fans were there before us. So it was like, okay. We knew it was gonna be packed. Coach Miller put a lot of emphasis on this game and, obviously, I was nervous checking in, but once like, the first play happened and the ball stopped and I kinda like, just had to take a deep breath. And then from there on, that’s when I found like, that confidence in myself. Like if I can perform against these guys—who appeared in a National Championship—like really, really good team, in this environment, I kinda like, okay, I think I’ll be alright.

Jacob: What was it like battling adversity through your freshman season?

Dailyn: Really, it was a lot of different forms of adversity for me, like playing under Coach Miller, that’s really the first coach that I’ve had, like because he’s seen guys like, he’s seen all type of kids. He’s seen guys similar to me, guys similar to everyone, and he holds everybody accountable. That’s really the first time since, I would say like, I was nine or ten playing AAU ball, that I really had a coach who let me know what I needed to know, like doesn’t matter the tone, whatever, like he was holding me accountable and, like, I kinda struggled with that in the beginning because it was the first time I had experienced that in awhile. But I was just happy that he saw something in me, to where he always told me what I needed to hear, and kept me accountable because he knows the chance I have to be a really good player. There’s just ups and downs, like, you have a bad game, you go a game without scoring, or you just feel like you don’t impact the game as much as you should—or you don’t get as many minutes as you think that you deserve. It just all comes with, you know, I did a lot of praying, I had ups and downs, sometimes I felt like I deserved something, or another thing, and just building that relationship with God, just praying, keeping it close, like I never wanted to cause a scene. I never wanted to be one of those guys who was like, a diva and messing up team chemistry, like I was all for us winning. So, if that had something to do with me, then I always just kept it to myself and just pushed through it.

Jacob: Looking back at your freshman season: What’s a matchup, play, and game that sticks out?

Dailyn: For matchup I would say, hmm, that’s a good one. I mean I want to say UCONN, but the way they beat us the first time, it’s ridiculous, or the second time, I mean. But like, just playing against them, like, it’s almost like they don’t make mistakes. It’s insane. And then, like, another freshman, Stephon Castle, I was guarding him a little bit and he’s really good, so just that whole experience with UCONN, playing against a coach like Coach Hurley, them coming off a National Championship, gaining that experience, that meant a lot to me. I would say play—the dunk against Georgetown. I feel like that was my most, you know what I mean. When we beat St. John’s at home, because we were coming off two bad losses, I’m pretty sure. Practice had been rough, we were just all kinda, you know, messed up and, bouncing back, we still had life. We still had life after that, and it kinda got us back on track for the most part, and that win, it meant a lot to everybody on the team. I won’t say anybody had, like, a super insane game, but everybody made big plays and we were just happy to pull out the win.

Jacob: You had a season-ending appendectomy—not a lot of players go through that… could you walk us through that experience?

Dailyn: It meant a lot, like it really taught me, because, yeah, like, I knew these games were important, but, not to take any games for granted, like, how they, people say—it sounds cliché, but play the game like it could be your last. I didn’t really take that seriously, but when that happened it was like, wow, like I can’t go to the Big East Tournament, I can’t play the last one against Marquette, like really I can’t control—I didn’t get to play the NIT game against Georgia. So I missed a lot, I missed a lot of practice. I missed a lot of, like—the end of the season is kinda, you learn a lot right there because everyone’s team is pretty much done, and we’re tryna see how we’re gonna perform, and just being in the hospital, like, having to watch that stuff and still have to worry about my own recovery. It was really tough, but it definitely taught me not to take anything for granted. But, the way it happened, we were at Georgetown, and, like, the day I woke up for the game I wasn’t feeling too well, but I knew I was gonna play like it wasn’t anything crazy. And then after we won—it was a super close game—I felt it at the end of the game and I got pulled out. I played the last few seconds and, like after the game we were about to fly back, we were waiting on our food, I just felt super sick. It was really bad. Then that next day I knew something was like seriously wrong. I couldn’t really stand up straight. I couldn’t use the restroom. I couldn’t do anything. So, it was wild.

Jacob: So you’re someone who went through a pretty big physical transformation from HS to College. What was it like having to rebuild again this offseason?

Dailyn: Yeah, I think that’s probably the most, like, the craziest thing about my career so far. Getting to Xavier, I would say I was like 175/177, something like that. I got up to 205, working, eating, like doing everything I had to do. With the whole appendectomy thing, it almost felt like everything was just reset, like, I did all that for nothing, and that’s kinda how I was thinking. I was in my own head about it, like, do they even, like, are they even going to want to do this all over again, and everyone was just excited to have me back and they embraced me. It felt like twice as much love and instantly wanted to get back to work, getting back to where I wanted to be. I’ve surpassed that point, so now I’m like up like 217/218, and I feel like I’ve never heard of anyone going from 175-205 back all the way down—I got down probably like to 175/180 again, in the hospital. I didn’t get to eat anything for nine days, I was on fluids, and just IV’s, so, to get back up to where I am now just shows you how much these guys care over here.

Jacob: The average college basketball fan may not realize the commitment required in the weight room, especially for freshmen during that first summer. It’s a major adjustment, even for top high school athletes. Team practices, weight training, late-night shots, and skill work add up quickly—it's a lot for anyone. You mentioned returning to 215/216—that shows a lot of perseverance and commitment. but it can’t all be done in the weight room… what’s your nutrition like?

Dailyn: I would say me, I kinda lucked out with this because, like, I already, I’m skinny, so like, I was skinny, I’m still kinda like wiry, now, obviously I’ve added to my frame, but I can pretty much eat whatever I want whenever I want, but I always, like, get the protein shakes and stuff like that. And I know that hoop every day. I work out every day, so, I don’t eat terribly. I choose when to eat, like I know I deserve this, like, I have to earn those types of meals. But, I would say it’s different for everybody, like some guys, no fried food, all clear dressings, like some crazy rules, and I would say I lucked out with that. It’s definitely a commitment, like having an eating plan, like I’ll eat at 9 in the morning, noon, 3 pm, 6 pm, 9 pm, like I have, everything was a schedule, I did everything on time. I made sure I was committed to that because I knew how much adding that weight would help my game—expand my game.

Jacob: So, when were you officially cleared to return?

Dailyn: I wouldn’t even say it was an official date. It was kind of like feel it out, see how you feel, and then we’ll do tests. When you get an appendectomy and they do those incisions, and you get the second scan, they do tests, like, where you cough and if can you feel it then you probably shouldn’t. I didn’t really touch a basketball until I got most of my weight back because I didn’t want to mess up my body and things like that. It was a super slow process, but I would say I was officially cleared for contact, like, everything back to normal, I’m not sure. It wasn’t too long ago, though. I would say like two weeks.

Jacob: What was your guys’ summer session? Are you still in the summer session?

Dailyn: Yeah we got this week and then next week left. Since we got a lot of new guys, obviously the first couple of things were just workouts, like four-man workouts or a whole team workout, just getting drills, and getting to know each other. Now we’re kinda starting to get into offenses and defensive schemes, and the new guys learn the terminology, so really they mix it up. I would say they do like three team workouts a week. One, like, you get a four-man workout, individual, and then you do your own workouts on the sideline like I work out before practice or after practice. Three lifts a week, yoga, all of those extra-curricular activities. There’s always something, so we’re getting a lot better every week.

Jacob: What did it mean to you to get invited to Jayson Tatum Elite Camp, especially with the journey you’ve gone over the last 12 months?

Dailyn: It was amazing. Jayson Tatum is one of my favorite players in the league, and it just shows that my perseverance and the people around me really care for me, and show that people see that I have a chance and they can see the potential in me. It was a surreal feeling—getting that invite—just getting the invite. Camp, alone, was a whole other thing, but just getting recognized by that, being in that group of people, group of players, it meant a lot.

Jacob: Well-deserved… there's a lot of thought and investment behind those invites. Was it intimidating at all? Considering you didn’t play as much this spring, what was your mindset going into the camp?

Dailyn: I mean, I was working out, but I wouldn’t say I was in as good shape as those guys because I was easing back into it, but I knew I could play with these guys and I knew it was only a two-day camp, so my mindset was just give it all that I got. I know I’ll be burnt out—just chill out when I don’t have to hoop—all the other stuff, get my rest. Obviously, it’s something you have to take advantage of. I was just grateful. I felt like the camp setup was perfect, just the two-day thing. We learned a lot. We played a lot. We saw a lot. I think it was perfect.

Jacob: What was the highlight of the camp for you?

Dailyn: I would say playing against, there was a group, we played 5s, like, cutthroat, and the five was CP3, Isaiah Thomas, Paolo [Banchero], Bam was there, I didn’t get to play against him. I didn’t get to play against JT either. Fred Van Vleet was there. Just playing against those dudes and seeing how easy they make the game look, and then, like, playing against Paolo, like he was born in 2002. He’s not that much older than me. He’s like, insane. So, seeing somebody like him inspired me a lot.

Jacob: Moving towards your game a little bit more, what do you think you developed, skillset-wise, through your freshman season? What were you attacking this summer? And where are you at right now?

Dailyn: I feel like I knew what I could do my freshman year. Defensive versatility, that’s what I brought, transition, being an athlete. Added through the season, I would just say learning more about those things, like, having to guard 1-4—we ran a lot of small-ball lineups—being able to guard these different positions, and knowing what to do when I’m on the court, not just running around looking lost. This summer, obviously just shots, like, reps. I didn’t shoot it that well last season and I feel like that’s the biggest part of my game that I need to improve. Just reps, shooting every day. I’m up to, like, almost 7,000 threes made. I’m trying to get to 15,000 before the season starts, so I’m on a pretty good pace for that.

Jacob: That’s incredible. What’s your routine been?

Dailyn: Cam Miller, Coach Miller’s son, he’s super important to my process. He makes sure I get in there every day. I’ll hit him up or he’ll hit me up, and he makes sure I don’t take any days off. I really appreciate him for that because he definitely doesn’t have to do that, but he knows how much it means to me.

Jacob: Productive summer, closing up on that shooting goal—What are the things, mentally, physically, teamwise, personally, spiritually, you know, off the court, on the court, that you need to, you know, maybe check the boxes off before the season in November?

Dailyn: Just, the whole mindset thing. Understanding ups and downs, you know what I mean. I set great expectations for myself and, you know, sometimes you have a bad game or sometimes things don’t go in your favor, and just, being grateful for the opportunity, knowing to take advantage of it. As far as teamwise, I feel like this year we’ll be a lot better. We all have a common goal. We all want to win. I didn’t get to play in a tournament. I want to play in a tournament. Everybody wants to play in the tournament. I feel like it’s just a new, like, we got a little bit of dog this year, I’ll say that. It’s a lot more exciting to just show up at practice because I know I get to play with these guys who have the same passion as me and that we all want to win. We compete every day, and even though we’re all new it feels like we kinda clicked instantly, so, it’s super fun.

Jacob: You had to put in a lot of effort to regain your strength and get reacclimated. Do you think this experience will strengthen your mindset going into your second year?

Dailyn: Oh, yeah. Most definitely. Like I said, being in that hospital for that two weeks, it was like, that was the hardest time of my life, by far. Like, I struggled, I really just, it tested me a lot and it taught me a lot. Just seeing that, like, even just practice, you can’t take practice for granted. You come in every day. You have a smile on your face. You bring energy, even if you aren’t making shots. You play defense. You do something, like, I feel like last year, I won’t say I was ungrateful, but just not attacking every day as much as I should. It taught me that, I feel like, it was a great lesson learned. I think it will definitely help my mindset long term.

Jacob: Who is Dailyn off the court? You all-business locked in, watching games haha? What are some of your hobbies?

Dailyn: To be completely honest, like, I would say I just started watching actual games, like, last year. In high school and stuff I didn’t really care, I watched the highlights and stuff like that, but when you’re on the court… I watch full college games now, NBA, stuff like that, players I like to watch. Other than that, there’s normal stuff like playing video games, I got little siblings, so like when they come see me, you know, I’ll do stuff with them or just hang out with my teammates—we’re going to a Reds game. We just do—nothing crazy—you know, Cincinnati isn’t, like, there’s nothing crazy to do out here.

Jacob: How was the scrimmage versus the alumni team, TBT?

Dailyn: It was super fun, like, those dudes are really cool, and they mean a lot to the program. They want to see us win. So, getting that experience against those guys who played professionally—or were just really good players at Xavier—they taught us a lot. We won, so, that was fun.

Jacob: How did the game go? Was it one scrimmage with a score and refs and everything?

Dailyn: Yeah there were refs. It was two twenty-minute halves, just like a real game setup. It was a pretty close game, too. It was super fun.

Jacob: Three words, break down yourself in three words. Not your game, just kind of how you carry yourself. Three adjectives.

Dailyn: Not my game, but this goes for both, so, I would say versatile. I do a lot of things. I got a lot of different hobbies. I got some interests that, probably, you wouldn’t expect. I don’t want to sound cliché or whatever, but, caring, obviously. I would say versatile, caring, and open. I’m open to new things. I don’t shut off people, like, I talk to everyone. You know, some guys—I won’t say no names or stuff like that—but they’re just not nice to people who don’t play basketball or who don’t have the same stuff as them. I feel like I’m pretty open to everybody and everything.

Jacob: That’s a good trait to have, man. Now, on the court, three things on the court. Three traits - no versatile, that’s kinda a cheat word.

Dailyn: Dang! See that was the first one I was gonna say. I would say, athlete—athletic, I can run, and jump, at my size. I’m a defender, so I’m gonna say defense. I can guard—I think I’ll be one of the best defenders in college basketball next season. That’s one of my goals. Defender, athlete, and leader. I’m stepping into that leader role now. I’m not a freshman anymore. I’m one of the only returners we’ve got, so, having to be a leader, especially, even this summer, you know, teaching the new guys the plays, the schemes, terminology, just daily stuff that we do.

Jacob: What’s your why?

Dailyn: Obviously, I love the game, but, my family. They inspire me. My mom, since a young age, she taught me the meaning of sacrifice and hard work because anything I ever asked for, even if it took long, she always made it happen. I thought it was because it was easy, but getting older, I understood that my mom had to do a lot. She went through a lot and never, never ever let me down, not one time. So, just wanting to be able to, one day, just repay her, all my family members, and anyone who has ever done anything for me. It just shows me that people care for me. I want to make them proud. And, obviously, I just want to be great at this game that I love.

Jacob: You said you started watching more full games recently, who are some teams, some players, you like to watch?

Dailyn: I grew up a Thunder fan. LeBron is my favorite player of all time, but like my first memories of NBA basketball, like, when I was watching games at my grandpa’s house, the Thunder with KD, Russell Westbrook, James Harden—like those are my first memories of NBA basketball. So, since then I’ve just been a Thunder fan. I watch the Thunder games, so SGA, JDub, Chet, all them dudes, and then just LeBron and Paul George.

Jacob: The Thunder are a great watch... Bunch of versatile wings!

Dailyn: Exactly.

Jacob: So, a big thing for League Him, our mantra is In Due Time. So, what does that mean to you?

Dailyn: It means a lot. You can’t rush things, whether that be your process to where you wanna be, whether that be making a decision, like, picking your college, or anything like that. Everything will handle itself as long as you do what you need to do.

Jacob: Thank you for your time and best wishes throughout your sophomore season.

Dailyn: Yessir. I appreciate you having me, for sure.