Sam McDaniel (basketball)

Samuel McDaniel (born 9 December 1995) is an Australian professional basketball player for the Brisbane Bullets of the National Basketball League (NBL). He played college basketball for Southeastern Community College and Louisiana–Monroe.

Samuel McDaniel
No. 26 – Brisbane Bullets
PositionShooting guard / small forward
LeagueNBL
Personal information
Born (1995-12-09) 9 December 1995 (age 28)
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Listed height198 cm (6 ft 6 in)
Listed weight102 kg (225 lb)
Career information
High schoolSouthern Vales Christian College
(Adelaide, South Australia)
College
Playing career2012–present
Career history
2012–2014Southern Tigers
2018Mount Gambier Pioneers
2018–2021Melbourne United
2019Sandringham Sabres
2021–2023Tasmania JackJumpers
2022–2023Hobart Chargers
2023–presentBrisbane Bullets
2024Brisbane Capitals
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Australia
FIBA Asia Cup
Gold medal – first place 2022 Jakarta

Early life

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Born in Hobart, Tasmania,[1] McDaniel was raised by his mother in Adelaide, South Australia,[2] and attended Southern Vales Christian College in the suburb of Morphett Vale.[3] He played soccer while growing up but switched to basketball after a bad experience with a junior soccer coach at age 14.[2] McDaniel played in the Central ABL for the Southern Tigers between 2012 and 2014.[4][5]

College career

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Between 2014 and 2016, McDaniel played college basketball for Southeastern Community College.[6] He averaged 13 points and 8.2 rebounds during his sophomore year.[1]

For his junior season, McDaniel transferred to Louisiana–Monroe. In 65 games over two seasons, he averaged 13.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists for the Warhawks.[7]

Professional career

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In May 2018, McDaniel joined the Mount Gambier Pioneers of the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL).[8] In eight games, he averaged 16.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game.[9]

In August 2018, McDaniel joined Melbourne United as a development player for the 2018–19 NBL season.[10] He appeared in 12 games during the season.[11]

After playing for the Sandringham Sabres during the 2019 NBL1 season,[12] McDaniel re-joined United for the 2019–20 NBL season as a fully contracted player.[13] He averaged 1.4 points in 19 games.[11]

In August 2020, McDaniel re-signed with United for the 2020–21 NBL season.[14][15] He played a key role on the defensive end during the season and helped Melbourne win the championship.[16]

On 1 July 2021, McDaniel signed a three-year deal with the Tasmania JackJumpers, a franchise entering the NBL for the first time in 2021–22.[16] Following the NBL season, he joined the Hobart Chargers of the NBL1 South and helped them win the 2022 championship while earning grand final MVP honours.[17]

In the 2022–23 NBL season, McDaniel appeared in 14 games for the JackJumpers.[18] Following the season, he declined the player option on his contract.[19] He then re-joined the Chargers for the 2023 NBL1 South season,[18] where he won the NBL1 South Defensive Player of the Year.[20]

On 31 March 2023, McDaniel signed a two-year deal with the Brisbane Bullets.[21] Following the 2023–24 NBL season, he joined the Brisbane Capitals of the NBL1 North, where he won the league's Defensive Player of the Year,[22] earned First Team honours,[23] and was named the Most Valuable Player.[24]

On 26 September 2024, McDaniel was ruled out of the 2024–25 NBL season after he aggravated a shoulder injury that was originally sustained during his stint with the Capitals. His recovery was expected to take up to six months.[25]

Personal life

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McDaniel's father, Wayne McDaniel, also played in the NBL for the Adelaide 36ers, Geelong Supercats, Newcastle Falcons and Hobart Devils.[15]

McDaniel has a daughter with his partner.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Sam McDaniel". ulmwarhawks.com. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Rowbottom, Chris (22 November 2021). "JackJumpers signing Sam McDaniel opens up on his relationship with father and former NBL star Wayne". ABC. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  3. ^ "Sam McDaniel". draftexpress.com. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  4. ^ "Miller, Clausen deny Southern in Safari Cup". Premier League. 19 April 2013. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  5. ^ "Sam McDaniel". australiabasket.com. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  6. ^ "Sam McDaniel". sccblackhawks.com. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Sam McDaniel College Stats". sports-reference.com. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  8. ^ "Big Mac beefs up Pioneers". borderwatch.com.au. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  9. ^ "Player statistics for Samuel McDaniel". SEABL. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  10. ^ "SAM MCDANIEL IS READY TO GROW HIS GAME IN MELBOURNE". melbourneutd.com.au. 4 August 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  11. ^ a b "Sam McDaniel". realgm.com. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  12. ^ McCallum, Jordan (9 May 2019). "How good can Sam McDaniel be?". pickandroll.com.au. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  13. ^ "2019/20 season preview: Sam McDaniel". melbourneutd.com.au. 3 September 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2021. ...United last season, Sam McDaniel proved himself as a legitimate NBL player and returns for the 2019/20 season as a fully contracted player.
  14. ^ "Sam McDaniel re-signs with Melbourne United". melbourneutd.com.au. 13 August 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  15. ^ a b "Free Agency Analysis: Sam McDaniel Back to Melbourne". NBL.com.au. 13 August 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  16. ^ a b "Sam McDaniel Joins the March with JackJumpers". NBL.com.au. 1 July 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  17. ^ "NBL1 South | 2022 Men's Grand Final". NBL1.com.au. 3 September 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  18. ^ a b "NBL1 South Finals MVP re-signs for 2023". NBL1.com.au. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  19. ^ "Krslovic Inks Two-Year Extension with Tasmania". NBL.com.au. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  20. ^ "The NBL1 South annual awards were held last night at the State Basketball Centre". facebook.com/BasketballVictoria. 12 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  21. ^ "Bullets add Sam McDaniel to NBL24 roster". brisbanebullets.com.au. 31 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  22. ^ "Congratulations to Sam McDaniel (Brisbane Capitals), who is your 2024 NBL1 North Men's Defensive Player of the Year!". facebook.com/basketballqld. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  23. ^ "NBL1 North Men's First Team". facebook.com/basketballqld. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  24. ^ "Sam McDaniel from the Brisbane Capitals is your 2024 NBL1 North Men's Most Valuable Player!". facebook.com/basketballqld. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  25. ^ "McDaniel out for season". NBL. 26 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
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