Clarence Daniels: OKC Thunder Summer League

For Clarence Daniels (class of 2019), stepping onto the court at the 2024 NBA Summer League in Oklahoma City was more than a basketball milestone—it fulfilled a lifelong dream.

“It was a great experience,” Clarence recalled. “Just being at the highest level and playing against the ‘best of the best’—it was everything I could have dreamed of. It’s always been my dream to play at that level, [...] just being there and actually living your dreams out,” Clarence paused, “I don’t even have the words to explain it.”

Clarence’s month with the OKC Thunder was packed full of high-intensity practices, world-class training, and unforgettable moments like flying on a private jet with the team to compete against the Memphis Grizzlies, Utah Jazz, and Philadelphia 76ers. Yet beyond the on-court excitement, Clarence came away with a perspective shift.

“You really get to see that they are [the other professional basketball players] regular people. [...] you only see them through a screen and they seem kinda invincible—like a superhero or something like that—but they’re just regular people.” Clarence went on to talk about how once that veil was lifted, he was not actually all that impressed with the competition. Although he still respected his competition and their abilities, they no longer seemed untouchable. He realized that if he put in the work and stayed dedicated, he too could play and maintain at that high level.

Throughout this process, Clarence recognized that talent alone wasn’t enough to make it in the NBA—you needed something more to be successful. OKC was special in that they valued something more: character. “They pride themselves on class, charisma, and just being very respectful,” Clarence said, reflecting on a conversation GM Sam Presti had with the team. “Everybody in there kind of had high character. It kind of did remind me of Maranatha,” Clarence smiled.

When asked how Maranatha helped shape him into who he is today, Clarence didn’t hesitate. “[...] having the faith aspect, really, all the little things that we did [...] it was planting a seed. And when you get older, and when you go through adversity—because it hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows—you go back to your roots [...].” Clarence sees the faith he built in Christ while at Maranatha as a necessary time of planting for the harvest that was to come.

One special reflection Clarence had, thinking back to his time at MCA, is that he credits his high school speech class with having helped prepare him for the pressures of professional basketball. “For pre-draft I worked out for the Thunder,” Clarence began, “for the Bucks, and for the Utah Jazz. [...] I remember Utah—so we’re in one of these glass rooms, and it’s their whole front office and you. And they’re just hitting you with questions. ‘Tell me who you are.’ ‘Tell me about yourself.’ ‘This.’ ‘That.’ And, you know [...] that class helped me get out of my comfort zone—being comfortable with being uncomfortable. [...] I truly do believe that class did help me with that.”

Clarence’s love for Maranatha and basketball is inspirational, and he lives every day to be a role model to those following in his footsteps. “Dream big,” he challenges, “and actually believe it. When we’re younger as kids—you know, kids want to be dancers, singers, firefighters—they truly want to do things that they actually love. But somewhere between when they get into their adolescence and when they get to they’re young adults, that thing kind of just goes away. [...] Relax, and just breathe, and know that everything is gonna be ok.”

The pressures of life come fast these days about who we should be and what we should become, especially for kids, yet Clarence encourages us to go after whatever we desire and know that everything is going to work out in the end. “I want whoever reads this to believe that whatever they want to achieve is possible—and then actually do it.”

That’s Clarence’s take on life: no matter what you may be up against, trust in and rely on God to do the work. Rest in knowing that whatever needs to be there next will be there—yet remain faithful and put in the work in the meantime.

While Clarence’s ultimate professional goal is to secure a full-time spot in the NBA, his focus right now is on daily improvement, such as playing professional basketball in Zagreb, Croatia (website). “Right now, I’m just in the process of watching myself develop and get better and work on things that I’m not so good at and perfect things that I’m good at.”

Clarence Daniels, even at the young age of 24, has already accomplished so much, yet the game is just getting started.