Former Florida Tech Forward Sam Daniel Signs First Professional Basketball Contract

SIGNS WITH MINAS STORM OF Brazils premier pro men's basketball league

ABOVE VIDEO: Sam Daniel’s Buzzer Beater 3 lifts Florida Tech past Embry Riddle.

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA– Former Florida Tech forward Sam Daniel will begin his professional basketball career in Brazil. The Panther standout has signed a professional contract with the Minas Storm.

“I would like to thank the Florida Tech coaches, Billy Mims and Demario Robinson, for preparing me for this opportunity since my freshman year,” said Daniel.

“Their high intensive practices and workout schedules instilled in me a strong work ethic that has helped me reach where I am today as a basketball player.”

“Playing in the Sunshine State Conference, one of the toughest leagues in the nation, also helped me develop my skills and competitiveness. You’re going up against some of the best players in the country every time you step onto the court. The SSC has prepared me to play at a professional level.”

The Minas Storm play in the top division of the Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB), the premier pro league in Brazil. The franchise’s home is in Belo Horizonte, the capital city of southeastern Brazil’s Minas Gerais state.

The Storm finished ninth in the NBB standings with a 14-14 record during the 2018 season. The team made it all the way to the quarterfinal round of the 2018 NBB Playoffs, where the Storm fell to Flamengo in a best-of-five series, 3-0.

Daniel, a 2018 Division II Bulletin Honorable Mention All-America, ended his collegiate career as one of the most prolific scorers in the SSC during the 2017-18 season.

He averaged 21.9 points, good for second in the league, and 6.4 rebounds per game during his senior campaign. The Kingsland, Georgia native also led the SSC, and set a new school record, with 97 three-pointers this past year.

Daniel wrapped up his career with 1,647 career points, while also etching his name in the school record books as Florida Tech’s all-time leader in three-pointers made with 247.

Florida Tech head coach Billy Mims was ecstatic by the recent signing of his former player.

“I am so pleased for Sam and excited to see this professional opportunity for him,” exclaimed Mims. “He had a great four-year career here and achieved so many SSC, regional, and national accolades. Sam will go down as one of the top players ever to put on a Florida Tech men’s basketball jersey!”

“Now he begins the next phase of an amazing journey through the game, where basketball will literally be his ticket to see the world. I look forward to following his pro career closely with great pride.”

Daniel is set to join his new teammates in a few weeks as the Storm begins its preseason slate with a three-week basketball tour of China.

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