New Mac is aiming big
RETURNING to his hometown to play for the same state as his dad is a “cool story” for Sam McDaniel, but JackJumpers fans won’t be getting a similar personality as Wayne.
After forming an integral part of Melbourne United’s NBL championship team last season, McDaniel opted to relocate to Tasmania to join the league’s newest franchise for the 2021-22 campaign.
McDaniel’s dad Wayne – known as “Big Mac” – was a larger than life character who
starred with the Devils during his time as an import with the state’s former NBL side from 1989-94. Wayne is the Devils’ all-time leader in games played (142), points (3560) and rebounds (1287).
Although he was too young to remember his dad in action, Sam, a recent father himself with five-month-old Malakhi, is eager to continue the family legacy, but also create his own in JackJumpers colours.
“My partner’s family lives here in Tassie, I was born in Hobart and so thought it would be a cool story,” Sam said, after completing his 14day quarantine.
“I don’t have too many memories [of Wayne]. I’ve seen a little bit of tape, a little bit of film of the stuff he was able to do.
“The NBL posted a highlight clip of his, which was pretty cool to see. I think it’s just a cool story really to come back and play in the same place he played.
“We’re very different people. He’s very outspoken, he’s a loud guy, he’s saying hi to everyone on the street, that’s just his personality.
“I’m more of an introvert, bit quieter.
“But obviously Tasmania’s got a team to get behind now and us interacting with the community and doing things in schools and all that sort of stuff is going to be a big part of what we do. I’m definitely looking forward to interacting with the fans.”
Sam may be quieter than his old man, but he is armed with a similar hunger and desire on the court.
Leaving a championshipwinning team was tough, but the opportunity to build foundations from the beginning was too hard to ignore.
“I’d like to be competitive, winning championships is always the end goal.
“From a personal standpoint, I just want to keep improving. I feel like my three years in the NBL I’ve taken steps every year to improve on and off the court.
“Whether it’s leadership, whether it’s on the court stuff, offensively, I want to grow my game as well, so there’s a bunch of different things which I’ll be looking to do.
“It’s exciting being on something that’s brand new, being able to build something that’s from the ground up, and building a culture from the ground up.”