Roanoke's Troy Daniels takes ice bucket challenge and talks to kids

Roanoke's Troy Daniels takes ice bucket challenge and talks to kids (Image 1) (Copyright by WSLS - All rights reserved)

ROANOKE (WSLS) - Houston Rockets star Troy Daniels stopped by the Roanoke Boys and Girls Club to get kids ready to head back to school.

The William Fleming grad told the room of students and their parents to dream big. He recalled the time he was cut from his sixth grade basketball team and then again by the Charlotte Bobcats after college.

He says his message is - even kids growing up in Roanoke can make it to the big leagues.

Daniels says one day he would love to build a gym in Roanoke for kids to use for free.

Daniels is remembered locally for being the cog in the 2007 William Fleming State Championship team.

His career at VCU included a 2011 Final Four appearance. But after going un-drafted in 2013, he was signed, then waived by the Charlotte Bobcats and the Houston Rockets.

A record-setting stint in the NBA developmental league brought the Rockets calling again. He seized his opportunity, performing well down the stretch and eventually hitting the go-ahead shot in Game 3 of the Rockets NBA playoff series against Portland.

He has since signed a two-year guaranteed contract with Houston.