Australia’s top NBA prospect Dyson Daniels has chosen to develop his game in the G-League rather than the NBL’s Next Stars program.
The 18-year-old is currently the No. 18 prospect in the latest ESPN 2022 mock draft and considered the best non-draft eligible prospect in Australia.
Daniels will be the first highly touted prospect the G-League’s Ignite program has landed from outside of the U.S. high school system.
“I felt like growing up and always playing against men and people older than me that I was ready to take the step into the pro world, so college was the first option I eliminated,” Daniels said. “I felt like trying to make the NBA, Ignite has the best development and learning to play the NBA playing style is going to help benefit me more.”
The NBA G League Ignite is a developmental basketball team based in California. The team is designed to play exhibition games against the G League’s as part of regular season G League scheduling as an alternative path for those who don’t want to attend US College. The team’s roster is made up of both prospects and veteran players and offers players salaries of up to $500,000.
The 6-foot-6 tyro turned heads last month after being called up to represent the Australian Boomers in February for the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers where he led the way with 23 points, four rebounds and three assists, showcasing his defensive ability as he also picked up six steals.
The ever-smiling young guard has been part of the NBA Global Academy based at the Institute of Sport in Canberra.
?? @DysonDaniels ??? #FIBAAsiaCup Qualifiers@aus_boomers @basketballaus @NBAAcademyPR
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The 18-year-old reported turned down multiple offers from several college programs which included the likes of Oklahoma, Houston, North Carolina State, Arkansas, Colorado, Saint Mary’s
“My aim is to be one and done,” Daniels added. “I know that with my work ethic in getting in the gym extra hours is going to give me the best chance at getting drafted. I’m going to do everything I can to get drafted and get drafted early.”
Daniels is currently training with the Australian national team in its preparations for the FIBA U19 World Cup, which starts on July 3 in Latvia.
Heading into the tournament, a lot is expected of Dyson being a stand out on the team, not too dissimilar to when Danté Exum entered the 2013 iteration of the event.
Dyson is the son of former Bendigo Braves and Ballarat Miners star Ricky Daniels who dominated the SEABL during a decade of state league play. Ricky Daniels, who also played college basketball at North Carolina State, played more than a decade for state league teams in Gippsland, Bendigo and Ballarat winning the 1999 & 2000 MVP award and taking home a championship with the Braves in 2010.
For those who haven’t seen the “son of a gun” play, Marty Clarke, the director of Canberra’s NBA Global Academy has compared his defence and rebounding abilities to Perth Wildcats legend Damian Martin. Clarke also noted he feels Daniels should be viewed with the same NBA upside as Adelaide 36ers guard Josh Giddey.
“He shows all the traits we look for in a young guard prospect,” ESPN’s Jonathan Givony said of Daniels in a phone interview.
“First of all, physically; his frame, athleticism. And then the ability to create off the dribble. He’s one of these guys that can play basically all three back-court positions. We’re not sure exactly what position he’s gonna end up long term, but that’s fine. He’s a big, playmaking guard who can handle it, play out of pick-and-roll, he can create for others, he can get to the rim, he’s got a really nice floater, we know he’s also a really good defender, which is probably his best trait right now.
Daniels joins star recruits Jaden Hardy, Scoot Henderson and Michael Foster on the Ignite’s roster for the 2021-22 season.
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
