Can you name the only NBL player who has played for the legendary Lute Olson at Arizona for four years, has two NBL Championships to his name and has been to the finals on a third occasion, all with different teams, has played internationally in Romania, Japan, Poland, and France as well as being one of only five active players in the league since 2008?
Daniel Dillon is arguably the fastest player in the NBL. He’s currently with the 36ers and I recently sat down with is to discuss his outstanding and impressive career, his coaches, the new look 36ers, and the best nightclub dancer out of Cam Tragardh or Lucas Walker!
You played high school in the states then went to Arizona for four years under the legendary Lute Olson. How was the College experience and is it something you would recommend to younger players?
College basketball was an amazing experience. Nationally televised games, 15,000 sold out crowds, die hard fans, march madness. Some situations still seem surreal.
I learnt a great deal from playing under Coach ‘O’. He was always able to get the very best out of all his players. Great man off the court too.
With the Next Stars program and development player spots, there are a lot more pathways to reach the NBA, Europe, NBL, that weren’t available when I was 17 years old and making my basketball journey.
Josh Green, a former Arizona player has just declared for the 2020 draft – have you seen much of him and do you have any thoughts on his future?
I watched a couple of games this season and he looked like the real deal. Perfect game suited to the NBA. He will have a long career in the NBA and maybe back here someday.
After college you came home and played for the South Dragons and arguably the greatest coach in NBL history Brian Goorjian. What do you remember about that season and what was the feeling like winning an NBL Championship in your first year?
Brian brought a great cultural atmosphere to our 2008-‘09 squad. I was a development player that year, not of playing minutes, but I remember the supreme confidence he would instil in his players. Even when we were trailing in games, we never felt like we were going to lose.
Following that season, you had stops in Cairns and then in Melbourne for the Tigers.
In Cairns you made the championship series again but lost to the NZ Breakers (2-1). You guys finished the season in third place and had to come back from being 0-1 down against Townsville. That Cairns team must have had a lot of belief. What did you bring to the team that year from the Dragons experience and what did you take away from it?
I think that same mindset translated over to my Cairns season. We were able to win some key games at the latter part of the season to secure a playoff spot.
It was a big difference coming from a team who was expected to win, to a team who the whole season was an underdog. The fans and community input in Cairns really gives the squad a lot of spirit.
The following season you got to partner with Patty Mills at the Tigers. After starting the season well, you fell away to end up in sixth spot. The Tigers name was lost forever after the following season – were there any signs of this in your time there?
Towards the end of that season Larry and Michael took over the ownership of the Tigers. I remember when they met us at practice and explained their vision for the club in the future.
To see what he’s done with United, along with Vince Crivelli and the whole NBL up until this point is promising for the future of basketball in this country.
After the 2012 season you played in Romania for three years, Poland, and Japan and then returned to the NBL and signed with Melbourne United. Before you had even played a game, you partially tore your Achilles tendon and missed the whole year.
United won the Championship that year and you spent the season rehabbing and watching from the sideline. In the Championship photo you are on the far right on the outside, how hard was that year on the sidelines, what did you learn and how has it shaped you moving forward?
I learnt a lot from my season with United. Previously I never had a major injury, but I pushed my body too hard in the preseason. Coming off a 65-game season in Japan, my body obviously needed a break whether I wanted one or not.
I had big plans for that season, but I was extremely happy to be a part of the clubs success with a great group of guys.
Sixty-five games! What is the schedule like and over what period of time? Do you think that contributed to your injury?
The games were back to back every weekend, against the same team. It was a bit odd because after you win/lose it’s like, we’ll see you guys tomorrow. But there was three imports on each team, and you could only play one in the first and third and two in the second and fourth quarters.
So maximum 20 mins each player foreign player. It seems strenuous playing 65 games back to back but we barely practised during the week with only one day of full contact scrimmages.
Not taking a break and pretty much rolling straight into preseason definitely contributed to the Achilles injury.
You then went overseas and played in France and upon your return, signed with the 36ers. You looked very comfortable in the NBA game against the Utah Jazz and Joe Ingles was a teammate of yours at the Dragons – how good was it to catch up with him and how did you find the whole NBA experience?
The Utah game was a surreal experience. It’s definitely a different style of play to the NBL but I felt very comfortable out there. I’m so happy for Joe and the body of work he has put in since the Dragons.
You have one more year to go at the 36ers – Joey Wright signed you – how do you feel with a new coach for year two – do you feel you have to prove yourself (again) this time to a new coach after a frustrating first year?
It was a long, long, long bench and I would dare say since your rookie season the only year you have registered DNP-CD’s on a regular basis. How did you get through that?
I’ve heard a lot of good things about a Coach Henry and I’m excited to get things started. Last season was a very humbling time after starting as an import in other countries most of my professional career.
Have you met the new Coach Henry yet – he is very highly credentialed, what do you think his approach will be in what is sure to be an interesting season coming up?
I’ve conversed with Coach Henry a little bit since he was appointed. He definitely wants to push the club back to the winning ways that Adelaide fans – the best in the league by the way! – are accustomed to.
Last season at the 36ers – you were the oldest player on the roster – how has your role within the team changed over the years – do you mentor any of the younger players?
It’s a great feeling making that transition from a young rookie to a senior player. I try to influence other players either with my experiences passed down from previous senior players, or my own personal experience from playing around the world.
I’m a Joey Wright fan although his coaching style can wear players down – he didn’t seem to coaching you as a group on game days as hard as I’ve seen him do in the past – was this a reflection of his trust and confidence in the group?
Obviously it was a difficult year for the club as a whole. Culture is a word that gets thrown around all professional sporting teams – what do you think the culture is at the 36ers, how does it need to change and is it something that the group, the new Coach, and GM have discussed?
Our culture was one of the main points that was addressed after the season. Most of the players that are returning know exactly what we were lacking and what we need to improve on for this upcoming season.
You signed to play in Poland again at the end of last season – did you manage to get over there, did the season commence and how have you been managing training in isolation?
Your basketball history suggest that you love the game and are constantly trying to improve yourself, have you found the down time hard to manage? Is this a sneaky opportunity to come back even better?
I was over in Poland right before all of the restrictions in Australia were implemented. I had played 2 games already until the Polish government decided to lock down the borders. The team immediately booked me a flight the following morning so I could make it out in time.
I have actually enjoyed the down time. It has given me the opportunity to focus on a few things outside of basketball which sometimes athletes don’t have the opportunity to do so. But of course, I have found a hoop and some workout equipment to stay in shape and better my skills.
RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS
1. There are only 4 players in the league now that played in 2008/2009 season – no googling – can you name them?
Damian Martin, Adam Gibson, Mika Vukona, and David Barlow?
Correct!
2. What three things would 2020 Daniel Dillon tell 2003 Daniel Dillon?
- a) The powerball winning ticket numbers
- b) Invest in toilet paper and hand sanitiser
- c) Strengthen your right Achilles
3. Best night club dancer – Cam Tragardh or Lucas Walker?
Cam and Lucas are pretty similar. But Waxy is the winner hands down.
4. What’s the last thing you watched on TV and why did you choose to watch it?
The Last Dance. Reminiscing my youth when my passion for hoops started. MJ will always be the goat.
5. You’ve had a lot of different coaches – different styles and personalities. Who was the best coach for you and why?
The best coach for my personal growth was from my first European season in Romania, Cristian Achim. He was perfect at selecting players to play a specific role in his system. I believe that’s the foundation of being a great coach.
6. Have you seen the Wolf of Wall Street? Sell me this pen. Go.
Do you need a pen?
7. Most likely to cheat at cards on a road trip.
8. Toughest guy you’ve played with?
Mika Vukona – not even close.
9. AFL club Richmond does Heroes, Highlights and Hardships – what are yours?
Hero – My mother. Raising 4 children by herself.
Highlights – College basketball, international basketball, Utah Jazz game.
Hardship – Ruptured Achilles would have to be my toughest moment. I wouldn’t wish that upon my worst enemy.
10. Your first weekend in the NBL in 2008 – was a double header – you dropped the opening game v Cairns and played who in game two of the season at home? Did you win, how many minutes did you play, and did you score?
We beat Perth. I don’t think I played.
You did beat Perth 97-81 – you played 5.50 went 1/1 FG for 2 points, had 2 fouls, a steal and an assist. Stuffed that stat sheet!
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