Today we’d like to introduce you to Samuel Daniel
Hi Samuel, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a small town in Camden County, GA. Lived in a two-parent household up until about the 8th grade. I used to have dreams of being in the NFL. Football was something my dad and I bonded over. After my dad and mom divorced, life took a bit of a turn. Things got harder. My dad got arrested and my mom had a heavy load on her hands taking care of two kids. We had to start working at an early age. As I worked, I felt a strong desire to achieve greater things in life and leave my hometown. That’s when I chose to make basketball that path. My coach told me I was special, and that basketball could really take me places in life if I take it seriously enough. So, that’s what I did — dedicated my time and life to the sport. I ended up leading the state of Georgia in scoring (30 points per game) during my senior year in high school, scoring over 1,000 points, which landed college scholarship offers from multiple schools across the country. Some of these colleges included UGA, Murray State, Seattle University, Cincinnati State, etc. I chose to attend Florida Institute of Technology, a Division 2 school, so I could be closer to home and make it easier for my mom to attend my games. My mom had been struggling with illness and needed dialysis, so traveling far from home wasn’t an option for her. She had sacrificed so much for us, and I wanted to give her the chance to be there for me. It meant the world to both of us.
At the time, I didn’t realize that choosing a Division 2 school would impact my path to the NBA or a professional sports career. I lacked the proper guidance, and in hindsight, I see how it made a difference. Despite breaking my school’s records for career 3-pointers and most 3-pointers in a single season, I eventually had to go overseas to prove that I could compete at the professional level. I spent 4 years overseas where I endured many tests, learning that things weren’t so “sweet” in that world. Things such as teams/organizations trying to exploit you without paying, sending you home after a few consecutive losses—it’s an incredibly cutthroat environment. I went through multiple agents, searching for the one who could help me get closest to my dream. Eventually after my 5th season of things not going the way I envisioned, I decided to hang up my shoes and call it quits. Not because I didn’t love the sport anymore, I just didn’t love the business aspect of it. I felt like a failure. I decided to go visit my mom in my hometown where people show me a lot of love, being the first and only professional basketball player out of Kingsland, GA. While I was there, my old coach asked me to come to the gym. When I arrived, I was amazed to see so many kids training and playing basketball—something that had never happened before in my hometown, inspired by my journey. They were so excited to see me and asked when my next game was and who I’d be playing for, unaware that my playing days were over. That’s when it hit me—this was bigger than me!
I decided to lace up my shoes and give it another shot. I knew I needed to have a standout year. I signed a contract to play in Mexico, where I met my future NBA agent. He was impressed with my game and wanted to work with me. I signed with him, and we got to work. The following year, I was invited to minicamps with several NBA teams—including the Dallas Mavericks, Lakers, Warriors, Jazz, and Miami—along with a few others. They all loved what they saw, but none were ready to take a chance on me. So, once again, I was without a team. Just working out, trusting God, and believing an opportunity was on the way. I ended up getting picked up by the Wisconsin Herd of the NBA G league affiliates of the Milwaukee Bucks! I flew in the next day and had a game to play the very next night with little to no time to even process what was happening! I played the very first game I was there. They played me for 15 minutes, and I scored 10 points had 5 rebounds, and 2 assists! One of my dreams had come true right in front of my eyes. Two days after that game, I ended up getting waived. But it was a blessing in disguise. I got picked up by OKC Blue, NBA G-league affiliate of the Oklahoma City Thunder, where we ended up winning the entire NBA G-league 2024 championship! My first year affiliated with the NBA and I’m a champion. This kid from a small town who was inspired by the very people he inspired is now a Champion and his story is still being written!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been far from easy. I’ve been lied to, stolen from, and taken advantage of along the way. To make ends meet, I worked for a valet company and started a moving company, all while training every single day, still holding onto the belief in my dream.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I play professional basketball, and one of the things I’m most proud of in my career is my perseverance. I never gave up completely, and despite watching others achieve the dreams I once had, I never harbored any resentment. I’ve always been genuinely happy for the next man because I could always imagine how incredible that must feel.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about our city is the abundance of opportunities in almost every field. Atlanta offers a wealth of resources for just about anything you want to pursue.
What I like least, besides the traffic, is that it’s super fast pace. You can go through an entire week and it seems like a only couple of days have passed. That’s scary because time is very precious and things/people matter. It feels like with it being so fast pace, people lose the value of important things like being with family, and learning simple hobbies like fishing, cooking, etc., things that are typically picked up in more in slower-paced cities.
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