By Jadon Frank

Kelowna native Daniel Briscoe brings an immense amount of experience and success to an already veteran 2013-14 Briercrest men’s basketball team.

After playing for two years for UBC-Okanagan (UBC-O) in the PacWest conference (which was BCAA at the time) of the CCAA, he transferred to Trinity Western University (TWU) where he took classes for a season before taking the 2012-13 season off from school and basketball.

Head coach Rod Adrian is excited that Briscoe has decided to make Briercrest his return destination for basketball.

“Daniel brings with him maturity, valuable experience and a heart for God as he suits up in a Briercrest uniform for his first season here,” Adrian said. “After playing previously at UBC-O, I will look to him to provide solid leadership and contribute alongside our other veteran players. Dan is a dynamic player who will fit in nicely to our fast attack offence. His play making ability will not only give him opportunities to score, but he will make those around him better too.  I'm excited about how God has led him to Briercrest and I look forward to witness what God has in store for him.”

Briscoe will be joining his younger sister Brooke at Briercrest this fall. Brooke was an exciting early signing in December for the women’s basketball team, and both Briscoe siblings should have a large impact on the Briercrest basketball teams this season.

Briscoe, a 6’ 4” shooting guard, graduated from Kelowna Secondary School in 2009 where he led the Owls to a sixth place finish at AAA BC provincials in Grade 11. Upon graduating he received the President’s Entrance Scholarship and Management Faculty Scholarship from UBC-O where he studied business management.

Briscoe started his basketball career at a young age and gradually made it a priority athletically.

“I started playing organized basketball in Grade 6 at age 10,” Briscoe said. “I chose basketball as my focus sport in Grade 8 and started attending Basketball BC Regional Training Centres and regional teams. I played summer club basketball for the Kelowna Kings as well as the School Basketball Academy in Abbotsford, BC. I learned the point guard position at a young age and played point guard all throughout middle school and high school.”

Briscoe faced adversity in Grade 11 and worked hard so that he could have an impact in his final year of high school.

“I suffered a traumatic left knee injury after my Grade 11 season which put me out for 10 months, causing me to forfeit all but one month of my Grade 12 season,” Briscoe explained. “Highlight of high school career was dropping 37 points in a double OT loss to cross-town rivals Mt. Boucherie Bears in the Okanagan Valleys in Grade 12 - limping on one leg.”

His injury didn’t hold him back once he moved up to UBC-O.

“My Rookie year in 2009-2010 I made the All-Rookie Team in the BCCAA (top five rookies in the BC league), and played backup point guard,” Briscoe said. “My team came third at BC provincials this season, just missing out on CCAA Nationals. My second season in 2010-2011, I was sixth-man on the team and averaged 12 points-per-game. It wasn't until my second season at UBC-O that I transitioned into the 2/3 guard position. At 6'4'', this is truly my natural position at the college level. I have not played basketball at a varsity level for the last 24 months, but am extremely excited to come back strong for the Clippers this coming season!”

Briscoe, who plans to study in the BA Business Administration program, has lots of interests outside of the basketball court and is an example of balance.

“I played high school volleyball in Grade 10 and joined the tennis team in Grade 12 for something fun to do!” Briscoe said. “My hobbies and interests include church ministry, youth ministry, discipleship, prayer, learning Christian worship songs on piano, training and weight lifting, refereeing basketball, outdoor sports of all kinds, and serving the Lord Jesus Christ. I am planning on majoring in either accounting or financial services and would like to minor in biblical studies. 

“The favourite trip I have been on in my life, to date, is the six-week mission’s trip I went on to Israel and Palestine spring 2012 through Global Projects Missions at TWU. I spent three weeks serving in Nazareth, Israel, and three weeks in Bethlehem, Palestine. It was an incredible and life changing experience.” 

Briscoe explained what he is most looking forward to about coming to Briercrest.

“Serving my coach and teammates every single day on the court,” Briscoe said. “Also, growing in my faith with my teammates, classmates, and professors, and gaining wisdom on my career direction.” 

“I can't wait to be a part of God's story at Briercrest in 2013-14,” Briscoe continued. “I hope Briercrest Nation is ready to have an amazing season next year!”

2013-14 Briercrest College Men’s Basketball Recruiting Class

G Daniel Briscoe • 6-4 • 3^rd • Kelowna, BC/UBC-O (PacWest/CCAA)

G Ethan DeCock • 6-1 • 1^st • Calley, AB/Livingstone High School

G Josh Tippe • 6-0 • 1^st • Regina, SK/Regina Christian School

G Jason Lamb • 6-2 • 1^st • Lethbridge, AB/Willow Creek Composite

F Brendan Adrian • 6-3 • 1^st • Caronport, SK/Caronport High School

F Jason Wegner • 6-4 • 1^st • Winnipeg, MB/Linden Christian

G Jordan Smith • 5-11 • 1^st • Beaverlodge, AB/Beaverlodge High School

G Franscisco Armengual • 5-8 • 1^st • Chilliwack, BC/GW Graham