From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)

Jim McDaniels, born in Scottsville, KY,  played his college basketball at Western Kentucky University (WKU), helping to lead the school to its only Final Four appearance in 1971. The 7-foot tall McDaniels is the school's leading scorer (27.6 points per game).

It was discovered that he had signed with an agent his senior year, so WKU had to forfeit its third place finish in the 1971 tournament. He was finally inducted into the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.

McDaniels played ABA ball with the Carolina Cougars and was a reserve player for the Seattle Supersonics [now the Oklahoma City Thunder] in the NBA. He had been selected by the Supersonics in the second round of the 1981 NBA Draft. McDaniels ended his NBA career with the Buffalo Braves [now the Los Angeles Clippers] in 1978.

Upon retirement from basketball, he was an active member of the Hillvue Heights Church in Bowling Green, KY. He also stayed connected to his alma mater, Western Kentucky University, where his historic #44 jersey was initially retired in 2000 and later celebrated as part of the university's legendary 1971 Final Four era.

For more see Basketball biographies: 434 U.S. players, coaches and contributors to the game, 1891-1990, by M. Taragano; Jim McDaniels in Basketball-Reference.com; "McDaniels, who led WKU to 1971 Final Four, has died at 69," Courier & Press, Updated, 9/12/2017, and his obituary on the WKU Sports website; and Elliott Pratt, "Standing Alone: WKU's 1971 Final Four team remains in a league of its own, College Heights Herald, April 2, 2014.