Personal information | |
---|---|
Born | July 18, 1991 |
Nationality | American |
Listed height | 206 cm (6 ft 9 in) |
Listed weight | 98 kg (216 lb) |
Career information | |
High school |
Dripping Springs ( Dripping Springs, Texas) |
College |
|
NBA draft | 2015: undrafted |
Playing career | 2016–present |
Position | Power forward |
Career history | |
2016 | Lakeside Lightning |
2016–2017 | Northern Arizona Suns |
2017 | Mount Gambier Pioneers |
2017–2018 | Austin Spurs |
2018 | Lakeside Lightning |
2018 | BC Luleå |
2023 | Perry Lakes Hawks |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Daniel Alexander (born July 18, 1991) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Perry Lakes Hawks of the NBL1 West. He played college basketball for Texas A&M and Grand Canyon before splitting his first three years as a professional in Australia and the NBA G League. He won a SEABL championship with the Mount Gambier Pioneers in 2017 and an NBA G League championship with the Austin Spurs in 2018.
Alexander was homeschooled growing up until middle school. [1] While living in Washington, D.C., as a third grader, Alexander was inspired to play basketball after attending a Harlem Globetrotters game. [2] He was a sneakerhead growing up and had numerous jerseys of his favorite NBA players. [2] Prior to reaching high school, he was a regular in adult pickup games around Austin, Texas. [2]
Alexander attended Dripping Springs High School in Dripping Springs, Texas. [3] A member of the varsity from his freshman year, Alexander helped the team steadily improve each of his first three years. [2] As a junior in 2008–09, he earned district MVP honors after averaging 19.6 points and 12 rebounds per game. [3]
In the off-season between his junior and senior years, Alexander was the No. 89-ranked prospect in the country by Rivals.com and was featured on the cover of ESPN Rise. He also attended the LeBron James Skills Academy and the Vince Carter Skills Academy. [4] [5] He subsequently signed a National Letter of Intent to play college basketball for Texas A&M University in November 2009. [4] At the time, he was considered "a guard in a forward's body" due to his ball handling and passing capabilities. [2]
As a senior in 2009–10, Alexander was named First-Team All-District and led the team to the regional semifinals. [3] He was also nominated for the McDonald's All-American Game. [6]
Alexander joined the Texas A&M Aggies for the 2010–11 season but was redshirted. [3] [6] He would go on to endure four coaching changes over four years, which he revealed soured his college experience. [6]
Alexander made his debut for the Aggies in the 2011–12 season, [3] going on to play in 28 games with four starts and averaging 2.4 points and 2.3 rebounds in 11.0 minutes per game. [7] He then played in one game to begin the 2012–13 season before deciding to transfer to Grand Canyon University. [3] [8]
Due to NCAA transfer regulations, Alexander was unable to debut for the Grand Canyon Antelopes until December 2013. [3] [8] [9] [10] Despite missing half of the 2013–14 season, he led the team with 58 3-pointers and 34 blocks and he was named to the WAC All-Newcomer Team. [3] In 22 games, he made 21 starts and averaged 12.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.5 blocks in 33.0 minutes per game. [3] He scored a career-high 22 points on February 22 against Idaho. [11]
Alexander was a consistent starter for the Antelopes upon becoming eligible until roughly a month into the 2014–15 season when he had to adjust to the role of sixth man. [12] In 29 games, he made seven starts and averaged 9.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. [3] He scored a season-high 19 points on January 29 against Kansas City. [13]
After graduating from Grand Canyon with a Film degree, Alexander initially did not plan on playing professional basketball but due to the connections he made while travelling with Athletes in Action, he received his first opportunity. [6]
Alexander began his professional career in Australia in 2016 with the Lakeside Lightning of the State Basketball League (SBL). [14] He scored 30 points or more 13 times, including a 41-point game on May 27 against the Joondalup Wolves and a 43-point game on July 22 against the Willetton Tigers. He had 17 double-doubles, including a game with 38 points and 20 rebounds on June 25 against the Mandurah Magic. He also had one triple-double with 35 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists on July 9 against the Perth Redbacks. [15] The Lightning missed the playoffs after finishing 11th with a 7–19 record. [16] [17] [18] Alexander appeared in all 26 games, averaging 27.9 points, 12.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.7 blocks per game. [15] He was subsequently named in the SBL All-Star Five. [19]
In October 2016, Alexander joined the Northern Arizona Suns of the NBA Development League after a successful tryout. [20] He played in 15 games with four starts during the 2016–17 season before being waived by the Suns on February 5, 2017. [21] He averaged 3.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per game. [22]
Alexander returned to Australia in 2017 to play for the Mount Gambier Pioneers of the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL). [23] He led the team with 18.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game, [24] shooting at 55% as well as 83% from the free-throw line for the season. [25] He helped the team finish with a 21–3 record and win the SEABL championship. He averaged 13.3 points and 13.3 rebounds in the playoffs. [25] In the grand final, he had 15 points and a game-high 16 rebounds. [26] He was named player of the week for round 16 [27] and earned All-SEABL First Team honors. [28] He was also named the Pioneers' Team MVP. [29]
In October 2017, Alexander joined the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League after a successful tryout. [30] He played in 28 games during the 2017–18 regular season, averaging 3.1 points and 1.8 rebounds in 8.1 minutes per game. [22] He played in two games during the Spurs' playoff run [22] as the team won the NBA G League championship. [31]
Alexander returned to Australia for a third time in 2018, re-joining the Lakeside Lightning in the SBL. [32] He scored 30 points or more seven times, including a 40-point game on June 9 against the Kalamunda Eastern Suns and a 43-point game on June 15 against the Cockburn Cougars. [33] His league-leading 27.24 points per game in the regular season saw him earn the scoring title. [34] The Lightning finished with a 15–11 record and lost in the quarter-finals. [35] In 20 games, he averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. [33] He was subsequently named in the All-SBL First Team. [36]
On July 27, 2018, Alexander signed with BC Luleå of the Swedish Basketligan for the 2018–19 season. [37] On November 5, 2018, he was ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. [38] He suffered a torn ACL and meniscus as well as cartilage damage. [1] He averaged 12.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists in nine league games. He also appeared in two FIBA Europe Cup games. [39]
On January 15, 2021, Alexander signed with the Southland Sharks for the 2021 New Zealand NBL season. [40] However, he was replaced on the roster on April 3, 2021, after advising the team he was unable to travel to New Zealand due to family circumstances. [41]
On January 27, 2023, Alexander signed with the Perry Lakes Hawks in Australia for the 2023 NBL1 West season. [42] [43] In 24 games, he averaged 18.96 points, 7.04 rebounds and 2.83 assists per game. [44]
Alexander is the son of Dan and Lyn. [2] He is the grandson of Clarence R. Autery, a highly decorated two-star Major General who served 30 years in the United States Air Force. [24]
Alexander is a devout Christian. [8] After graduating college, he took a youth pastor position at his childhood church. [6]