James Batemon III
August 23, 2024
Sam McDaniel
- Nationality: AUS
- Date of Birth: 9/12/95
- Place of Birth: Hobart (TAS)
- Position: G/F
- Height (CM): 198
- Weight (KG): 102
- Junior Assoc: SA - Southern
- College: Louisiana-Monroe (2017-2018)
- NBL DEBUT: 5/10/18
- AGE AT DEBUT: 22
- LAST NBL GAME: 21/09/24
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 28
- NBL History: Melbourne 2019-21 | Tasmania 2022-23 | Brisbane 2024-26
- Championships: 1
- Melbourne (2021)
BIO: Sam McDaniel was born in Tasmania, where his father Wayne played for the Hobart Devils and later moved to Adelaide (SA), where he spent the majority of his childhood. There he began playing basketball as a junior with the Southern Tigers basketball program.
His father Wayne played 12 NBL seasons including six for Hobart (1989-1994) where he became the all-time franchise leader in games played, points scored and rebounds.
Over his NBL career McDaniel was known as a lockdown defender that was a key part of playoff runs for both Melbourne United and the Tasmania JackJumpers.
FAMILY: Sam McDaniel is the son of Wayne McDaniel who played 288 games in the NBL.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Sam McDaniel made his NBL debut with the Melbourne United at 22 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.
During the 2017/18 season, Sam McDaniel saw limited action as a development player with the Perth Wildcats, who secured a third-place finish with a 16-12 record.
MELBOURNE UNITED
2018/19
In the 2018/19 season, Melbourne United set out to defend their championship. Retaining key players, they re-signed captain Chris Goulding (two-year deal), David Barlow (one-year deal), Josh Boone (one-year deal), and Casper Ware (one-year deal), with Boone and Ware in particular facing significant overseas interest. To further strengthen the squad, United added DJ Kennedy (from Turkey), Mitch McCarron (from Cairns), and Alex Pledger (from New Zealand). McDaniel joined United again as a development player, adding depth to the roster.
McDaniel averaged 0.1 points and 0.4 rebounds across 12 games that season, recording his best performance against Perth on March 15, 2019, with 2 points and 1 rebound. He scored his first NBL field goal during Game 3 of the 2019 Grand Final series, played in front of 13,412 fans in Perth.
United had a strong season, with Dean Vickerman winning the NBL Coach of the Year award. They defeated the Sydney Kings in the semifinals (2-0) but ultimately fell short of the championship, losing to Perth in four games.
2019/20
In the 2019/20 season, McDaniel averaged 1.3 points and 0.6 rebounds, contributing to Melbourne’s fourth-place finish with a 15-13 record.
2020/21
McDaniel’s role expanded in the 2020/21 season, where he averaged 4.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1 assist across 38 games. Initially at the bottom of the rotation, his defensive impact earned him a starting role, frequently alongside Mitch McCarron by season’s end. Starting in 24 games, he posted a career-high 15 points against the Brisbane Bullets in round 13. McDaniel played a key role as United finished in first place with a 28-8 record and embarked on a successful championship run.
In the semifinals against Victorian rivals South East Melbourne Phoenix, both teams were forced to play in Sydney due to lockdown restrictions. After splitting the first two games, United returned to Melbourne for the decider, overcoming a slow start to secure an 84-74 victory. Jock Landale led with a season-high 27 points, while Goulding (14 points) celebrated his 350th game. McCarron, Hopson, and Lual-Acuil provided key support, while Te Rangi (22 points) and Creek (19 points) led the Phoenix.
With Western Australia’s border restrictions in place, Perth, the lower seed, hosted the first two games of the Grand Final series. Despite missing Bryce Cotton, the Wildcats remained competitive, but United won both games in Perth. Returning to Melbourne, a sell-out crowd of 5,000 at John Cain Arena (within COVID-19 limits) watched United secure the title in Game 3 (81-76), marking Melbourne’s sixth championship and second under the United branding. Landale (15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks) capped off his stellar performance with the Finals MVP award.
TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS
2021/22
After completing his contract with Melbourne United in 2021, McDaniel began discussions with the newly established Tasmania JackJumpers. The team, aiming to build a solid young core, offered him a multi-year contract, making his move to Tasmania for his fifth NBL season an easy decision. Notably, McDaniel was the only fully rostered JackJumpers player born in Tasmania.
The JackJumpers’ debut season started with low expectations, as multiple betting agencies placed them at 400:1 odds to win the championship. Defying the odds, the JackJumpers won their NBL debut on 3 December 2021, defeating Brisbane in a thrilling overtime game (83–74). However, after their initial victory, the team struggled to find consistency and sat in ninth place with a 2-6 record heading into round eight.
The season took a further hit when marquee signing Will Magnay suffered a season-ending injury, forcing coach Scott Roth to adjust the team’s strategy. Shifting to a more balanced approach, the JackJumpers found their stride, winning 10 of their last 12 games and finishing with a 17–11 record, clinching fifth place. In a twist of fate, Tasmania leapfrogged Perth to take fourth place on points percentage after South East Melbourne defeated the Wildcats in the final game of the season.
McDaniel finished the regular season averaging 5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists, as the JackJumpers advanced to the semifinals to face the reigning champions and McDaniel’s former team, Melbourne United. In the series, Tasmania dropped Game 1 (74-63) but evened the series at home, leading to a decisive Game 3. With Melbourne’s captain Chris Goulding sidelined, Tasmania seized control in the final moments, securing a nail-biting victory (76-73) and advancing to the Grand Final series.
The JackJumpers faced the Sydney Kings in the Grand Final series. Sydney dominated Game 1 with a 95-78 win. In Game 2, JackJumpers’ fan favorite Josh Adams erupted for 36 points, but Sydney held on to win 90-86, with strong performances from captain Xavier Cooks and Jarell Martin. Sydney’s win marked their 12th consecutive road victory, setting an NBL record.
The Kings then completed the sweep in Game 3 before a crowd of 16,000 at Qudos Bank Arena, winning 77-69 to claim their first championship in 17 years. Cooks and Martin combined for 45 points and 29 rebounds, capping off Sydney’s season with 19 wins from their last 21 games.
TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS
2022/23
Entering their second season, the JackJumpers retained most of their roster, with only Josh Adams and MiKyle McIntosh departing. Coach Scott Roth brought in Milton Doyle to replace Adams and Rashard Kelly in place of McIntosh. With Will Magnay (5.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks) rehabilitating from a foot injury and captain Clint Stiendl (4.6 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.6 assists) sidelined from a knee injury sustained at the FIBA Asia Cup, the team started shakily, dropping early games to South East Melbourne (79-84), Cairns (84-106), and New Zealand (65-71). They earned their first win in a gritty overtime contest against Brisbane (90–86), driven by Doyle’s 32 points and 4 assists.
Tasmania then embarked on a four-game winning streak, propelling them back into playoff contention. Doyle led the team in scoring (17.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 steals), while Jack McVeigh (14.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists) continued his scoring ascent. Tasmania clinched fourth place with a 16-12 record and qualified for the inaugural NBL play-in tournament.
Point guard Josh Magette (10.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.0 steals) suffered an injury in the final regular season game, sidelining him for the playoffs. Kelly (12.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists), development player Sean MacDonald (6.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists), and injury replacement Isaac White (5.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.6 assists) stepped up, filling in admirably. Tasmania defeated Cairns (79–87) in the play-in qualifier but lost to New Zealand in the semifinals (77-92).
McDaniel appeared in 14 games for the season, averaging 4.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 0.7 assists.
BRISBANE BULLETS
2023/24
McDaniel joined the Brisbane Bullets on a two-year contract beginning 31 March 2023, reuniting with former coach Justin Schueller from their Melbourne United days.
“Sam is one of the first players I thought of to help impact and change the way we defend as a club,” Bullets Head Coach Justin Schueller said upon signing McDaniel.
“I’ve been in the fire with Sam and won with him; he has the habits and mindset we need and knows what championship success looks like!”
Sam McDaniel currently plays for the Brisbane Bullets and has played 156 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 4.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 0.8 assists since entering the league in 2018.
CURRENT CONTRACT:
Brisbane Bullets – 2 Year Deal (2026-28)
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 30 | Brisbane | 6-27 (10) | 10 | 86.2 | 68 | 23 | 12 | 16 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 18 | 27 | 55 | 49% | 9 | 21 | 43% | 5 | 11 | 45% | 56% | 57% | 18 |
| 2024-25 | 29 | Brisbane | 12-17 (8) | 1 | 14.3 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 4 | 4 | 100% | 103% | 0% | 6 |
| 2023-24 | 28 | Brisbane | 13-15 (7) | 28 | 750.0 | 251 | 113 | 37 | 31 | 82 | 21 | 8 | 20 | 64 | 88 | 198 | 44% | 17 | 54 | 31% | 58 | 77 | 75% | 54% | 49% | 16 |
| 2022-23 | 27 | Tasmania | 16-12 (4) | 14 | 164.4 | 59 | 28 | 6 | 5 | 23 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 18 | 21 | 44 | 48% | 3 | 13 | 23% | 14 | 17 | 82% | 57% | 51% | 9 |
| 2021-22 | 26 | Tasmania | 17-11 (4) | 34 | 633.5 | 170 | 131 | 43 | 39 | 92 | 36 | 2 | 38 | 56 | 63 | 162 | 39% | 14 | 45 | 31% | 30 | 40 | 75% | 47% | 43% | 20 |
| 2020-21 | 25 | Melbourne | 28-8 (1) | 38 | 600.5 | 172 | 99 | 39 | 20 | 79 | 12 | 8 | 24 | 63 | 64 | 164 | 39% | 28 | 73 | 38% | 16 | 21 | 76% | 49% | 48% | 15 |
| 2019-20 | 24 | Melbourne | 15-13 (4) | 19 | 78.0 | 26 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 25 | 36% | 3 | 7 | 43% | 5 | 6 | 83% | 47% | 42% | 8 |
| 2018-19 | 23 | Melbourne | 18-10 (2) | 12 | 23.4 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 17% | 0 | 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 17% | 0% | 2 | Totals | 156 | 2350 | 754 | 416 | 140 | 122 | 294 | 89 | 20 | 106 | 228 | 274 | 655 | 41.8% | 74 | 215 | 34.4% | 132 | 176 | 75.0% | 51% | 47% | 20 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 30 | Brisbane | 6-27 (10) | 10 | 8.6 | 6.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 2.7 | 5.5 | 49% | 0.9 | 2.1 | 43% | 0.5 | 1.1 | 45% | 56% | 57% | 18 |
| 2024-25 | 29 | Brisbane | 12-17 (8) | 1 | 14.3 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 100% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 4.0 | 4.0 | 100% | 103% | 0% | 6 |
| 2023-24 | 28 | Brisbane | 13-15 (7) | 28 | 26.8 | 9.0 | 4.0 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 2.3 | 3.1 | 7.1 | 44% | 0.6 | 1.9 | 31% | 2.1 | 2.8 | 75% | 54% | 49% | 16 |
| 2022-23 | 27 | Tasmania | 16-12 (4) | 14 | 11.7 | 4.2 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 3.1 | 48% | 0.2 | 0.9 | 23% | 1.0 | 1.2 | 82% | 57% | 51% | 9 |
| 2021-22 | 26 | Tasmania | 17-11 (4) | 34 | 18.6 | 5.0 | 3.9 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 4.8 | 39% | 0.4 | 1.3 | 31% | 0.9 | 1.2 | 75% | 47% | 43% | 20 |
| 2020-21 | 25 | Melbourne | 28-8 (1) | 38 | 15.8 | 4.5 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 2.1 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 4.3 | 39% | 0.7 | 1.9 | 38% | 0.4 | 0.6 | 76% | 49% | 48% | 15 |
| 2019-20 | 24 | Melbourne | 15-13 (4) | 19 | 4.1 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 36% | 0.2 | 0.4 | 43% | 0.3 | 0.3 | 83% | 47% | 42% | 8 |
| 2018-19 | 23 | Melbourne | 18-10 (2) | 12 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 17% | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 17% | 0% | 2 | Total | 156 | 15.1 | 4.8 | 2.7 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 4.2 | 41.8% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 34.4% | 0.5 | 1.4 | 75.0% | 51% | 47% | 20 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 20 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- Southern Tigers (2012–2014), Mount Gambier Pioneers (2018), Sandringham Sabres (2019, 2021), Hobart Chargers (2022–2023), Brisbane Capitals (2024–2025)
McDaniel joined the Southern Tigers for the 2012 Central ABL season, beginning his senior state league career there, and he remained with Southern through 2014 as part of his early development in South Australia.
McDaniel joined the Mount Gambier Pioneers for the 2018 SEABL season and averaged 16.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.5 steals across eight games.
McDaniel joined the Sandringham Sabres for the 2019 NBL1 South season and averaged 17.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.4 steals across 14 games.
McDaniel rejoined the Sandringham Sabres for the 2021 NBL1 South season, and in a shortened campaign he averaged 22.3 points per game, with one of his noted performances coming against Frankston when he finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds.
McDaniel joined the Hobart Chargers for the 2022 NBL1 South season and helped the club finish as South minor premiers before winning the championship. In the Grand Final against Mount Gambier, he delivered the provided 32 points and six rebounds, shot 13-of-20 from the field and 4-of-5 from three-point range, and earned NBL1 South Grand Final MVP honours in Hobart’s 78-62 win.
McDaniel re-signed with Hobart and played the 2023 NBL1 South season as well. He won the NBL1 South Defensive Player of the Year award that year, was also recognised as an MVP and All-Star Five nominee, and produced major individual games including 31 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists against Nunawading and 27 points in a win over Mount Gambier.
McDaniel joined the Brisbane Capitals for the 2024 NBL1 North season and put together one of the strongest years of his state league career. He averaged 22.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists, was named NBL1 North MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, earned NBL1 North First Team honours, and helped Brisbane reach the Grand Final series.
McDaniel returned to the Brisbane Capitals for the 2025 NBL1 North season and was again named to the NBL1 North First Team. Among his top performances were the provided 28 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in a win over Rockhampton and 22 points, five rebounds and six assists in a win over the South West Metro Pirates, while other standout games included 29 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds against Cairns and 35 points, eight rebounds and seven assists against Logan.
FIBA EXPERIENCE
McDaniel was a member of Australias gold medal winning FIBA Asia Cup team in 2022.
COLLEGE
Sam McDaniel played for Louisiana–Monroe during the 2017–18 season as a senior guard/forward, arriving in the Warhawks program after junior college and joining the Sun Belt Conference rotation as a perimeter-based scorer and rebounder at 6’6”.
Across the 2017–18 campaign, McDaniel appeared in 32 games and produced 15.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.0 steal per game in 33.6 minutes, while shooting 42.5 percent from the field, 41.1 percent from three-point range, and 80.6 percent from the free-throw line.
One of his early-season highlights came on December 7, 2017, when he recorded a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds in a win over Jacksonville State, setting the tone for a season where he regularly impacted games as a scoring wing who could also clean the glass.
In February 2018, McDaniel earned Sun Belt Men’s Basketball Player of the Week recognition after averaging 23.0 points and 10.5 rebounds across back-to-back overtime road wins at Georgia Southern and Georgia State, delivering one of the strongest two-game stretches of his ULM season.
Late in the season, he continued to contribute in key results, including an 11-point outing in a 48–44 defensive win at Little Rock on March 1, 2018, as Louisiana–Monroe closed the year with McDaniel as one of its primary offensive options and an experienced senior presence in the rotation.
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