Daniel Horace (200-F-1983, college: Miami, OH) is a 201cm 40 year old former player that enjoyed a 9 year professional career. He played at Miami University (NCAA) from 2001-2005 playing a total of 114 games. He began his professional career in Finland in 2005. He also played in countries like Germany, France, Austria, Luxemburg and Argentina. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball career at the start of 2024.

Thanks Daniel for talking to germanhoops.com. How did you get into 2024? How have you celebrated the New Year over the years?

This year my fiancée and I just relaxed at home and made a nice dinner for new years. We always try and cook something special for new years. This year was tender loin, roasted Brussels sprouts, roasted potatoes and a nice bottle of wine.

How do you remember celebrating it overseas?

Over the years I would either hit up a New Year’s Eve party or just stay at home around family. Back when I was playing throughout the years I remember going out with teammates to the Netherlands, watching fireworks in Vienna, going to a party on a mountain top in Argentina or having dinner at one of my teammates family’s home.

You have been retired now for almost 10 years. Has time flown by during this period?

Time has definitely flown by. To be honest it’s feels like another life.

How did you adjust into normal life in 2014? What has been your occupation in the last decade?

My basketball career didn’t end how I would have planned with my tearing up my shoulder. So my basketball bubble popped pretty abruptly. Since then I have worked for the city of Cincinnati water department. I resigned after two years, and went into business for myself. Managing short term/long term rentals. It’s has grown to 15 properties and I plan to keep growing.

Have you been able to be connected to basketball in some way?

The first few year after I finished playing I tried basketball training. Had to give it up, didn’t have time with work. These days I might catch a college game with friends. But that’s about it.

You played for 9 years. Was it tough making the decision to retire? Guys usually want to play until the wheels fall off while others may say goodbye because of a good opportunity off the court? How was it for you?

I was pretty realistic about my career not lasting forever. I’ve dealt with injuries throughout the whole time I’ve played. With that being said I didn’t expect me tearing up my shoulder would be how it ended. So my basketball bubble popped pretty abruptly.

You played at Miami Ohio from 2001-2005. How do you remember the NCAA days then? How much less athletic was the game in the NCAA then than now?

College was a great experience and it prepared me for playing overseas. The one big difference I see in today’s game is the position-less approach to the game. Guys are very skilled these days at all positions. I’ve always played that way, used to be a lot more athletic before ankle surgery. It helped with me being under sized at my position. After that I had to rely on skill and being in position. Not out jumping guys or using strength. But Cincinnati always had a lot of tweeners. I always said we all should have been 2’s or 3’s.

You were also teammates with Nathan Peavy. Did it surprise you years later that he got into coaching? Did he already have that coaching gene at Ohio?

Peavy was a good player at Miami. Hard worker and versatile player, sure he is a great coach.

How did head coach Charlie Coles groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Coles got me prepared for the professional career by preaching the importance of hardwork and always be accountable.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Nathan Peavy

I don’t think me and Nate ever played one.

You played your rookie season at Honka Espoo Playboys (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 13.9ppg, 5.8rpg, 2FGP: 55.2%, FT: 67.4%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

My wake-up was when I first got to the international terminal and everyone were speaking a different language. The second wake up call was when conditioning started.

You were teammates with a young Petteri Koponen. Did he already shoot out the lights then? What memories do you have of him?

Petteri was young when I was there, I just remember him having workouts after practice.

In your second season you reached the BBL in Germany with TBB Trier (Germany-1.Bundesliga) averaging 7.8ppg, 4.9rpg, 2FGP: 50.0%, 3FGP: 34.8%, FT: 59.1%. That Trier team had great characters with guys like Chuckie Evans, James Gillingham, Tommy Adams and Brandon Gay just to name a few. What guy do you remember bonding best with?

I got along with all my teammates. In trier was the only time I played with that many USA guys overseas it reminded me of college.

You had a solid game against top team Alba Berlin putting up 13/7 stats in a loss. You played against top guys like Julius Jenkins, Sharrod Ford, Chris Owens and Ruben Boumtje Boumtje. Was that one of those games that gave you the feeling you could play with the best?

Alba was a big club so everyone got up to play them

After being injured in 2006-2007 you returned in 2008 to play with Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball (France-ProB) averaging 9.1ppg, 5.2rpg, FGP: 45.8%, FT: 79.0%. How do you remember living and balling in France. What was your nicest memory of that season?

France was tough. I was fresh off another ankle surgery and was trying to figure things out. I learned a little French and saw some sites.

In 2009-2010 you came stateside to play with the Indiana Steamrolers. What happened that season that you couldn´t be overseas?

I took the next season to try and get my ankle together. Rehabilitation and training

In 2010-2011 you came back overseas and played with the (Austria-A Bundesliga) averaging 14.6ppg, 5.1rpg, FGP: 48.4%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 77.4%. That season you hit Arkadia for 30 points and then lost to them in the playoffs. What memories do you have of that time?

Austria was fun people were cool. First time I made all star team overseas.

You were teammates with Larry Gordon. He had his breakout season there and the next season came to the BBL in Germany and became a dominant player. What memories do you have of him? I can imagine you guys had daily intense battles on the court?

Yea Larry was a great player and good guy. We used to play 1 on1 after most practices. I think I’m up on him a few games still. Haha

In 2011-2012 you played with Etzella Ettelbruck (Luxembourg-Diekirch League) averaging 16.5ppg, 9.2rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 50.6%, FT: 68.3%. Luxemburg is usually a league guys begin at and then take a step forward. Was the market at that time tough? I would have expected you to reach a higher league?

I took the job in Luxemburg the second half of the season after I tore my meniscus that summer. I think I had a job in Portugal I couldn’t take because of that.

You played your last 2 seasons in Argentina with Banda Norte Rio Cuarto (Argentina-TNA) averaging 15.4ppg, 5.9rpg, 2FGP: 49.7%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 66.1% and with Barrio Parque de Cordoba (Argentina-TNA) averaging 13.1ppg, 4.4rpg, FGP: 47.6%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 77.3%. How did you enjoy the country Argentina? What do you remember being your fondest memory off the court? You lived in nice areas.

My fondest memory of Argentina was the weather, food, and people. Very competitive players down there.

How do you feel your career could go if you came out in 2023 instead of 2005? Would you have been the same type of player or had to have incorporated a different game?

I feel like if I came in 2023 my game would translate fine maybe better. There are a lot of undersized guys being successful in position less basketball.

How would you like to have fans remember the player Daniel Horace`?

That I loved the game and gave it my all.

Who was the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Carl Landry from Purdue

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

To many to pick five

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Mj, Magic, Kobe, Lebron, Shaquille

Who is your GOAT

Mj is the GOAT

Did you see the sequel to the classic coming to America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

They should leave classics alone.

Thanks Danny for the chat.