Daniel Gilbert (basketball)

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Daniel Gilbert is a professional basketball player, currently playing as a shooting guard for Guildford Heat in the British Basketball League, where he has built up a reputation as one of the finest swingmen in the league.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, on February 26, 1983, Gilbert attended the University at Buffalo, and in his senior year was part of the memorable Buffalo Bulls team that, lead by fellow guard Turner Battle, went on an improbable run to the Mid-American Conference Championship, beating Western Michigan in the semi-finals at the Gund Arena in Cleveland. In the MAC final, the Bulls lost in overtime to Ohio University on a tip-in by Leon Williams with 0.5 seconds remaining, thus, the Bulls failed to clinch the automatic bid to the 2005 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament.

Gilbert, considered to be one of the best defenders to ever don a Bulls' jersey, averaged 7.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.8 steals his senior season whilst also setting the school record for games played in a career (118).^[1]

Upon graduating in 2005, he went on to sign a professional contract German second division team FC Schalke. When interviewed after his signing, Gilbert said "I am excited about the opportunity to play professionally,I knew that I would play overseas some day, I am just surprised that it happened so fast." In his one season in Germany, Gilbert averaged 18 points per game, while recording his season high 33 points in a 92-79 home victory over Rhöndorf.

For the 2006-2007 season, Gilbert made the move to England, where he signed for new franchise Guildford Heat, who were only in their second year of existence. A major coup for the side, Gilbert became a pivotal player in leading the club to its first ever BBL league title, while adding a BBL Cup winner's medal to his growing collection of silverware. In his rookie season in the BBL, he averaged an impressive 16.85 points in 33.85 minutes per game.

He returned for a second season to lead the Heat into the ULEB Cup, the club's debut in European competition. He aided the team to their first trophy of the season, picking up the BBL Cup Winners' Cup after defeating Plymouth Raiders in a two-game series.