Perth Wildcats announce Raptors draftee DeAndre Daniels

The Perth Wildcats have backed up the breakthrough signing of the Miami Heat’s James Ennis a year ago by signing pick 37 of the 2014 NBA Draft, DeAndre Daniels.

Daniels made history in April this year by becoming a NCAA Championship player with the University of Connecticut, before being selected by the Toronto Raptors in the second round of June’s NBA Draft.

The 22-year-old American who stands at 204cm, has a wingspan of 218cm and weighs 88kg, started at small forward for the UConn Huskies in their Championship season.

During the Final Four phase of the NCAA Division One basketball tournament, Daniels averaged 14 points and eight rebounds and was subsequently named in the All-Final Four Team.

He played an instrumental role in helping UConn achieve an unlikely Championship, and is excited to play his first professional season in Australia with the reigning NBL Champions.

“I’m really looking forward to getting out to Australia – it’s a great opportunity for me to grow as a person, improve my game and experience a different lifestyle,” said Daniels.

“It was a fantastic feeling to hear my name called on NBA Draft day – it’s been my dream ever since I was a little kid. Now I need to keep working hard to earn an NBA contract and I’m more than excited to do that in Perth.

“Winning the NCAA Championship was one of the best moments of my life and I’ve now got the taste for success, so I can’t wait to meet my new teammates and start working with them towards back-to-back Perth Wildcats titles.”

In the 2013/14 NCAA season, DeAndre Daniels averaged 13.1 points at 47 per cent from the field and an impressive 42 per cent from outside the arc.

He also grabbed 6.0 rebounds per game, swatted 54 shots and grabbed 26 steals.

“We watched DeAndre play for the Toronto Raptors at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. He’s a versatile scorer, he can certainly shoot the ball from NBA three-point range and he uses his length to his advantage which is going to be a bonus for us” said Perth Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson.

“We wanted someone athletic who can play above the rim, and someone who can shoot from the perimeter and he ticks both those boxes.

“I’m looking forward to DeAndre coming over here, meeting his teammates, and getting use to the style of play we run. He’ll certainly be a focal point of our team, and I’m sure the players are excited to see him on the court.”

Managing director Nick Marvin said Daniels fits in with the club’s cultural values.

“DeAndre is a hard-working young guy with a great attitude. I’m really looking forward to the people of WA getting to know him and seeing what impact he can make in our community.”

DeAndre Daniels will arrive in Perth next week, where he joins his new teammates in preparing for the upcoming NBL Season.

DEANDRE DANIELS:

Date of birth: 4 April 1992

Position: Forward

Height: 204cm

Weight: 88kg

Previous Club: Toronto Raptors, NBA

College: University of Connecticut

Hometown: Woodland Hills, California, USA