BIO: Daniel James Dillon was born in Melbourne (VIC) and grew up in the Melbourne suburb of Hampton. He began playing basketball as a junior with the Bulleen basketball program before he moved to the United States in 2003 to attend North Laurel High School in London, Kentucky.

He averaged 23 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists per game for the school’s basketball team.high school basketball in the USA.

A graduate of the University of Arizona, Dillon has enjoyed a successful career both in Australia and overseas.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Daniel Dillon made his NBL debut with the South Dragons at 22 years of age. He scored two points in his first game.

Following his stint with the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Summer League, Daniel Dillon returned to Australia and signed with the South Dragons as a development player for the 2008/09 NBL season. Dillon became a part of the Dragons’ historic championship-winning team, which defeated the Melbourne Tigers 3–2 in a thrilling NBL Grand Final series. Dillon saw court time in both Game 3 and the decisive Game 5, contributing to the Dragons’ first and only NBL title before the team folded shortly after.

CAIRNS TAIPANS
2010/11
After finishing near the bottom of the ladder in 2010, the Cairns Taipans underwent a significant roster overhaul ahead of the 2010/11 season. While key players like Ian Crosswhite, Dusty Rychart, Aaron Grabau, and captain Phill Jones were retained, the rest of the roster was refreshed. Alex Loughton, returning from a stint in Spain, headlined the new signings. Daniel Dillon, who had spent the previous season in the state league, was signed as the Taipans’ backup point guard, and imports Ayinde Ubaka and Ron Dorsey replaced Julien Mills and Rich Melzer.

Despite a modest start, with only one win in the first three games, the Taipans quickly became the surprise package of the season, winning five straight games to rise from seventh to second place by Round 9. A balanced attack led by Ubaka (13.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists), Dorsey (13.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists), Loughton (11.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists), and Crosswhite (11.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists) propelled them to a third-place finish in the regular season with a 16–12 record.

In the semi-finals, the Taipans lost Game 1 to Townsville but bounced back to win the next two games, advancing to the Grand Final for the first time in franchise history. Facing the New Zealand Breakers, the Taipans were outclassed in Game 1, losing 85–67 in Auckland. Game 2 in Cairns was a thriller, going into double overtime after a miraculous three-pointer from Ron Dorsey. The Taipans pulled off an 85–81 win to force a deciding Game 3, but they fell short in the final game, losing 71–53 to the Breakers.

Dillon played a crucial role off the bench throughout the season, averaging 7.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.

2011/12
For the 2011/12 season, Dillon joined the Melbourne Tigers under new coach Trevor Gleeson. Melbourne made significant roster changes, including signing the entire Cairns backcourt of Ubaka, Dorsey, and Dillon. They were expected to be contenders, with the addition of high-scoring forward Cam Tragardh. However, the NBA lockout saw the Tigers sign Boomers star Patrick Mills, forcing them to release long-time guard Daryl Corletto to make room for the NBA player.

The Tigers started the season well, with six wins from their first nine games. However, Mills left the team to take a more lucrative offer in China, and the Tigers’ form deteriorated. A loss to the Gold Coast Blaze saw owner Seamus McPeake storm into the locker room and fire Ayinde Ubaka on the spot without consulting Gleeson, leading to team instability. Ubaka was replaced by Myron Allen, but the Tigers lost momentum, finishing with a disappointing 11-17 record and missing the playoffs.

Dillon averaged 8.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists for the season, playing a key role in a turbulent campaign. Tragardh led the team in scoring with 16.3 points per game, earning All-NBL second-team honours and winning the Tigers’ MVP award.

After this season, Dillon left the NBL and spent the next seven years playing in Europe, where he continued his professional career. He was one of many talented Australian point guards affected by the NBL’s points cap system, which made it difficult for local players to remain in the league.

MELBOURNE UNITED
2017/18
In 2017, Daniel Dillon returned to Australia, signing with Melbourne United. However, just days after joining, Dillon suffered a significant Achilles injury while playing for Kilsyth in the state league, ruling him out for six to eight months. Though sidelined, Dillon remained with the team and was part of United’s championship-winning squad, securing his second NBL title when United triumphed in the 2018 NBL season.

ADELAIDE 36ERS
2019/20
After finishing 14-14 and missing the playoffs on points percentage the previous season, Adelaide reshaped its roster following the departures of Nathan Sobey (to Brisbane), Jacob Wiley (to Spain), Majok Deng (to Cairns), Demitrius Conger (to Spain) and Shaun Bruce (to Sydney). Joey Wright remained as head coach, with Daniel Johnson, Anthony Drmic, Ramone Moore, Harry Froling, Jack McVeigh and Brendan Teys returning, while Eric Griffin (via Israel), Kevin White (via Illawarra), Obi Kyei (via Spain), Alex Mudronja and Deshon Taylor were among the additions. Taylor was released before the regular season when former NBL MVP Jerome Randle (via Sydney) became available and returned to Adelaide on a two-year deal.

Daniel Dillon (via Paris Basketball) returned to the NBL on May 16, signing a two-year deal with Adelaide alongside White and Taylor after spending the previous season in France. Wright said the additions were made to improve Adelaide’s toughness and defence, adding “We wanted to bring in guys that play defence, are resilient.”

Adelaide opened its season against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on October 12, where Dillon (0 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist) played 16 minutes from the bench, while Johnson (26 points and 7 rebounds) and Randle (16 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the 36ers. Newley (18 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Sydney to a 102-80 win.

Dillon (3.5 points across 24 games) played a supporting role in Adelaide’s backcourt, averaging 10.7 minutes per game. He did not suffer a reported injury during the season, appearing in 24 of Adelaide’s 28 games with no injury listed as the reason for the four games he did not play. Adelaide recovered from its opening loss to improve to 3-1 before four consecutive defeats dropped the 36ers to 3-5.

Dillon’s best scoring game came against South East Melbourne at Melbourne Arena on November 18, where he came off the bench to make 4-of-6 field goals and all six free throws for a season-high 14 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal in 22 minutes. Randle (27 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Drmic (21 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led Adelaide, while Creek (22 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) was South East Melbourne’s best as the 36ers won 103-91 and snapped a four-game losing streak.

Dillon’s best all-round game came against New Zealand at Spark Arena on January 31, where he finished with 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in 18 minutes. Johnson (24 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists) and McVeigh (20 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals) led Adelaide, but Abercrombie (31 points) made seven three-pointers as New Zealand won 113-89, dropping the 36ers to 11-14 and dealing a major blow to their playoff hopes.

Randle (19.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists) led Adelaide in scoring and assists, while Johnson (18.1 points and 8.3 rebounds), Griffin (14 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks), Drmic (10.5 points and 4.7 rebounds), Moore (7.8 points), Froling (7.3 points and 3.5 rebounds), McVeigh (6 points) and Teys (5.2 points) were the other major contributors. Moore missed the final seven games with a shoulder injury as Adelaide reached 11-11 with six games remaining before losing five of its final six games and falling out of playoff contention.

Already out of playoff contention, Adelaide finished its season against Perth at RAC Arena on February 15 in Wright’s 500th game as an NBL head coach. Dillon (7 points, 2 assists, and 2 steals) played 21 minutes, while Johnson (18 points and 11 rebounds) and McVeigh (16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Adelaide and Kay (23 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) led Perth to a 94-79 win as the 36ers finished seventh with a 12-16 record.

2020/21
After finishing the previous season with a 12-16 record and missing the playoffs, Adelaide parted ways with long-time coach Joey Wright despite time remaining on his contract, with his departure coming amid several issues with players. Former Perth assistant Conner Henry was appointed as his replacement, while co-captain Kevin White (to Perth), Harry Froling (to Brisbane) and Obi Kyei (released) departed. Jack McVeigh, Brendan Teys, Daniel Dillon and Alex Mudronja remained, while Adelaide added Next Star Josh Giddey (via NBA Global Academy), re-signed Daniel Johnson to a three-year deal and brought in Isaac Humphries (via Lakeland), Keanu Pinder (via Warsaw), Sunday Dech (via Illawarra), Donald Sloan (via Baskets Bonn) and Tony Crocker (via Pinar Karsiyaka).

Dillon entered the second season of the two-year deal he had signed with Adelaide in May 2019 and was named alongside Johnson and Teys as part of a three-man leadership group which shared the captaincy throughout the season.

“I am excited to announce our new leadership group for the season. All three men have embraced the role,” said Henry.

Adelaide opened the season against Melbourne at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on January 15, where Dillon (2 points and 2 rebounds) came off the bench as United won 89-65, with Johnson (27 points and 5 rebounds) and McVeigh (9 points) leading Adelaide, while Jo Lual-Acuil (16 points and 12 rebounds) led Melbourne.

Dillon (3.6 points across 30 games) spent most of the season in a limited reserve role behind Adelaide’s main guards, making six starts across the year. No injury was reported for Dillon during the season, with his six non-appearances coming while he was being used in a limited role rather than because of injury.

Adelaide opened the season 4-2 before struggling during the NBL Cup in Melbourne and falling from third to seventh on the ladder. Sloan (9 points and 3 assists across 6 games) was moved to the bench before being granted a mutual release, with Jeremy Kendle (5.7 points across 10 games) signed as an interim replacement before Brandon Paul (via Zhejiang) (13.7 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals across 20 games) joined for the remainder of the season. Humphries (13.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks across 19 games) also missed 11 consecutive games after suffering a left foot injury before returning in April, with recurring soreness later ending his season.

Dillon’s opportunity increased significantly late in the season after Giddey (10.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.6 assists across 28 games) was removed from the active roster following Adelaide’s May 16 loss to Sydney to begin preparations for the NBA Draft, with Dillon moving into the starting lineup for each of the final five games.

In the first of those five starts against Illawarra at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on May 21, Dillon (17 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) produced his best performance of the season to that point as Adelaide fought back from 26 points down before losing 81-73. Johnson (13 points) and Teys (10 points and 3 rebounds) provided support, while Sam Froling (19 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals) led Illawarra.

Dillon’s best and highest-scoring game of the season came four days later against New Zealand in Christchurch, where he shot 9-of-12 from the field and finished with 22 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal without committing a turnover as the Breakers defeated Adelaide 94-76. Johnson (18 points and 6 rebounds) and McVeigh (13 points) provided support, while Corey Webster (22 points, 3 rebounds, and 8 assists) led New Zealand.

“It has been a while since I played 35 minutes but I was just trying to push the ball and the tempo,” Dillon said.

Johnson (19.4 points and 7.1 rebounds across 36 games) led Adelaide in scoring for the sixth time and shared the club MVP award with Giddey, who also led the NBL in assists and was named Rookie of the Year. Crocker (10.8 points across 32 games), McVeigh (9.4 points and 3.3 rebounds across 36 games) and Dech (8.7 points and 4.1 rebounds across 36 games) were the other main contributors, with McVeigh named Adelaide’s Most Improved Player, Dech receiving the Best Defence Player award and Humphries collecting the Coaches Choice Award.

Adelaide closed the season against Melbourne at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on June 6, where Dillon (8 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) started as United won 102-80, with Crocker (27 points and 5 rebounds) and Johnson (18 points and 13 rebounds) leading the 36ers, while Jock Landale (19 points and 9 rebounds) led Melbourne, leaving Adelaide seventh with a 13-23 record.

Daniel Dillon played five seasons across four NBL teams. This included the South Dragons, Melbourne Tigers, Cairns Taipans and Adelaide 36ers. He averaged 5.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2 assists in 127 NBL games.