Former Florida Tech Panther Sam Daniel Signs Professional Contract to Re-Join UBSC Raiffeisen Graz

Raiffeisen Graz is based in Graz, Austria

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Former men’s basketball standout Sam Daniel has signed a professional contract to re-join UBSC Raiffeisen Graz.

Raiffeisen Graz, which is based in Graz, Austria, and is the second-largest city in the country, is a member of the Austrian Bundesliga (BSL) basketball league. BSL is the highest level of basketball in Austria.

Daniel signed with Graz late in the 2019-20 season and was very impressive during the three games he appeared in for the team. He had a breakout performance in one of the contests, recording 19 points, 12 rebounds, and three steals while shooting 5-of-11 from three.

Daniel, a product of Kingsland, Georgia, and Camden County High School, was thrilled for the opportunity to re-sign and be back with his Austrian club.

“I thank God for continuing to bless me with the opportunity to keep playing the game I love and living out my dream,” exclaimed Daniel.

Before going to Graz, Daniel was a member of the Plymouth Raiders of the British Basketball League (BBL). He appeared in seven games with the Raiders and averaged impressive numbers with 16.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game.

Daniel also played a short time with T71 Dudelange in the Luxembourg Basketball League where he showed his potential with a high-scoring effort with 28 points to go along with five rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

He signed his first professional basketball contract with the Minas Storm of the Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB), the premier pro league in Brazil.

“From my experience, playing ball professionally is not for everyone,” Daniel continued. “It’s a lot of sacrifices being away from family and friends, missing birthdays and holidays, but it is a great experience to travel the world for a living and get immersed in the culture of other places.”

Daniel, a 2018 graduate of Florida Tech, ended his four-year collegiate career with the Panthers as one of the most prolific scorers in program history. He finished his career with 1,647 points and is the men’s basketball program’s all-time leader with 247 made three-pointers.

During his senior season in 2017-18, Daniel ranked second in the Sunshine State Conference with a 21.9 points per game scoring average to go along with 6.4 rebounds per game.

That year, he led the league and set a new school record with 97 made three-point field goals. As a result of his tremendous senior season, Daniel was named an Honorable Mention All-American by Division II Bulletin as well as to the NABC All-South Second Team.

“‘Have a Florida Tech degree, have basketball and will travel’ seems to be the case for several of our former men’s basketball players, and Sam Daniel is a perfect example,” said Florida Tech head coach Billy Mims.

“Sam is going back to Austria to rejoin Graz for this season and hopefully help them win a championship. Sam has always been a big scorer throughout his basketball career starting way back in high school in Georgia, all four of his years here, and every step of his professional journey so far.

“He has continued working on all aspects of his game and has even been working out in the offseason with NBA veteran Dwight Howard. Sam’s pro basketball career has really only just begun, but I have no doubt that his adventure will be an exciting and very successful one.”

Daniel and UBSC Graz are set to begin the 2020-21 campaign on Oct. 3 with a home game against the Vienna D.C. Timberwolves at Union Halle Graz Arena.

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