Caleb Daniels

Caleb Daniels is an accomplished professional basketball player, hailed for his prowess and love for the game. Born on 17th May 1999, Daniels is currently putting his skills to use at the NBA G League where he plays for Sioux Falls Skyforce. However, his journey through the realms of basketball has been the result of rigorous training, commitment, resilience, and a burgeoning passion for the sport.

Tracing his roots back to New Orleans, Louisiana, Daniels’ foray into basketball began at St. Augustine High School. His high school years proved to be a propitious start to his basketball career. Daniels’ Junior year saw him average 20 points per game and his performance scaled even higher in his senior year where he averaged 19 points coupled with 12 rebounds per game. These remarkable statistics led his team – the Purple Knights – to the Division I semifinals.

His performance in high school did not go unnoticed. The Times-Picayune selected him for the All-Metro team. He also earned a spot on the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 5A’s second all-state team. Demonstrating his capacity for leadership and consistency, Daniels was voted the Most Valuable Player in the Catholic League. In addition to all these accolades, his exceptional academic performance led him to become the valedictorian of his class, making a profound speech whereby he recognized the brotherhood spirit of his high school, quoting Harriet Tubman.

Daniels further elevated his skills when he committed to playing college basketball for Tulane in April 2017, preferring it to various other offers from esteemed institutions including Louisiana-Lafayette, New Orleans, Texas State, Rice, VCU, and UNC Asheville. As a freshman, Daniels posted averages of 6.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game which escalated as a sophomore where he averaged 16.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. Despite the team’s subpar 4-27 finish, Daniels’ dedication and talent led him to test the waters for the 2019 NBA Draft, practicing with Boston Celtics before transferring to Villanova.

Following a red-heart year in the 2019-2020 season, his career hit a sudden bump. Daniels, along with another player, tested positive for COVID-19, which led Villanova to shut down its program temporarily. However, his return was marked by an impressive performance as he averaged 9.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game as a redshirt junior.

In April 2021, Daniels was diagnosed with myocarditis, restricting his basketball activities. Despite these health confrontations, with continuous monitoring and restricted training, Daniels was cleared for normal activities by September the same year. His reduced conditioning led him to play as a sixth man for the season.

Yet, even in this role, Daniels made a significant contribution to the team. He scored 20 points in a 76-74 win against the ninth-ranked Providence on March 1, 2022. Daniels returned for his super-senior season, averaging 14.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, showcasing his undying spirit and unswerving dedication to the sport.

Although he was not drafted in the 2023 NBA draft, Daniels did not lose faith. He joined the Miami Heat for the 2023 NBA Summer League. He later secured a contract with the team in August 2023 but unfortunately was waived off in late September. Not deterred by this setback, Daniels joined the Sioux Falls Skyforce in October 2023, thereby enriching his journey to professional basketball. After playing in the 2024 NBA Summer League, Daniels rejoined the Miami Heat in September 2024 but was waived off the following month, leading him to rejoin the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

In addition to his individual accomplishments, basketball lies deep in Daniels’ family roots. He is the youngest of three sons of Connie and Roland Daniels. His older brothers R.J. and Marcel continued the family tradition of basketball before him. R.J. played at Xavier University of Louisiana, while Marcel played at Dillard University and later transferred to Southern University at New Orleans. With such an enriching run and much more to come, the legacy of Caleb Daniels in the realm of basketball is yet to reach its zenith.