Melbourne United championship winner Sam McDaniel has become the first free agent signing of new NBL side the Tasmania JackJumpers.
McDaniel on Thursday inked a three-year deal with the JackJumpers ahead of their entry into the competition in 2021/22.
The 25-year-old is the son of Wayne McDaniel, who played for the Hobart Devils from 1989-94, and played a key defensive role in United's run to the title.
McDaniel played 24 games for Melbourne this season after joining the club in 2018. He was born in Hobart and his partner has family in Tasmania.
"It feels amazing, it is a super exciting time with a new club coming into the NBL," he said.
"I thought it was a great opportunity to get on board and get down to Tassie.
"My dad played some pretty good ball out there as well all those years ago, so I am looking forward to it."
McDaniel said he was keen to work under defensive-minded JackJumpers' coach Scott Roth.
"We have always said having a Tasmanian flavour is important to us at the JackJumpers and Sam's homecoming is a prime example of that," Roth said.
McDaniel is the first free agent signing for Tasmania and becomes the second player on the club's books after local teenager Sejr Deans joined in April on a development contract.
The JackJumpers have been linked to free agent and Adelaide 36er Jack McVeigh. More than 1700 people have signed up as members.
