NBL: Sam McDaniel continues family legacy at JackJumpers

After three years in the mainland with Melbourne United, the Hobart-born basketball player felt a sense of family and adventure pull him to the NBL's newest franchise.

In a sense, the JackJumpers guard is embracing a homecoming by shifting from the mainland to the NBL's newest franchise.

McDaniel was born in Hobart while Wayne McDaniel was starring for Tasmania Devils in the NBL in the nineties as their key offensive player during some lean years.

"I don't have too many memories, I was very young while he was playing, a little bit of film of some of the stuff he was able to do ... which was pretty cool to see, I think it's just a cool story really," he said.

Like father like son, McDaniel is a rangy guard who possesses explosive pace which enables him to impact on both sides of the ball.

However, for their similarities on-court McDaniel said the pair had a different approach to life off the court.

"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," he said.

"I am a bit more of an introvert, a bit quieter, a bit more to myself."

READ MORE: JackJumpers debut season start date revealed

While this franchise has a different name and different colours, the promise of something new and family ties was enough to lure the guard from a championship winning roster in Melbourne United.

"I've also got ties here to Tassie, my partner's family lives here in Tassie, I was born in Hobart so I thought it would be a cool story and just a great opportunity," he said.

"Everything is just a first for this club, obviously a different franchise then the Devils were back in the day, so it's exciting being part of something brand new, building it from the ground up and building a culture from the ground up."

Those family ties will be crucial as McDaniel enjoys his first father's day as dad in the surrounds of Tasmania this weekend.

McDaniel and his partner Lashai welcomed their first child Malakhi McDaniel earlier this year.

Despite receiving admittedly less sleep, McDaniel would not change the experience for anything in the world.

"It's been journey so far but it's been an amazing one, it's been amazing having a child and having a first child is a huge step in life, it teaches you different things," he said.

"Definitely been sleeping a lot less but that comes with it and is definitely worth it and wouldn't change it for anything."

As a new dad, McDaniel has found peace and sanctuary off-court away from basketball with his new family.

"I'd definitely call myself my own biggest critic when it comes to on-court so when it is a hard day at the office, lose a game or have a bad shooting night it's definitely a relief to come home," he said.

"You see the little one smiling and forget about basketball for a bit and realise it's what I do but it's just a game, there's bigger things, family to name one."

Do you know someone who is contributing to Northern Tasmanian sport, whether through participating or assisting?

The Examiner's Junior Sports Awards, sponsored by Woolworths, provide acknowledgement of accomplishments by players, coaches, volunteers, teams and clubs across the region.

Nominations are open from Wednesday, April 14, and will close at midnight on October 4.

Entries must include a photograph of the entrant.