Dyson Daniels

A meteoric rise from the Victorian regional centre of Bendigo to the New Orleans Pelicans has seen Dyson Daniels being talked about as one of the most exciting young players in Australian basketball.

Dyson’s dad Ricky is an American former college player who was a two-time South East Australian Basketball League MVP with the Bendigo Braves.

As a youngster, Dyson was a talented AFL player, representing Victoria in several national football championships.

But he eventually opted to focus on basketball, playing with the Braves in the SEABL.

He progressed through the NBA Global Academy in Canberra before signing with NBA G League Ignite, where he averaged 12 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2 steals per game as a guard.

Dyson had his first taste of playing for Australia at the 2018 FIBA Oceania U15 Championships in Papua New Guinea, where he averaged 8.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists, as Australia won the gold medal.

As a 17-year-old, Dyson suited up for Australia during the FIBA Asia Cup qualification series in 2021 and in the Boomers’ win over New Zealand he stared with 23 points, 6 steals and 4 assists.

Selected by New Orleans with the eighth pick in the 2022 NBA draft, Dyson made his NBA debut in the 2022-23 season, where he averaged 3.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists for the Pelicans.

While he is a threat with the ball in hand, Dyson’s opponents fear his 203cm frame and wide wingspan the most as he is a real game-changer on defence.

“Dys and (teammate) Herb (Jones) switching screens, physical, blocking shots, igniting our break. Two young perimeter players that can defensively pretty much guard anybody in the league in my opinion,” New Orleans coach Willie Green said.

Dyson’s role and responsibility with the Boomers continues to grow with international experience, and he played in four games at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, held in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Although the Boomers failed to advance to the elimination rounds, they did secure a berth at the Paris Olympics.

Dyson suffered a torn meniscus in February 2024, but returned to play with the Pelicans in April and was quickly back to his best.

In his last eight games of the 2023-24 NBA regular season Dyson put up eight points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.4 steals on 50 FG% and 43.5% from three-point range.

He played sparingly in New Orleans’ first round playoff series against Josh Giddey and the Oklahoma City Thunder and in the off-season was traded to the Atlanta Hawks as part of a deal for the Pelicans to acquire Dejounte Murray.

At the Paris 2024 Olympics Dyson and the Boomers started on a strong note, defeating Spain 92-80 in what was regarded as the toughest group in the tournament.

Losses followed against Canada (93-83) and Greece (77-71) to close the group stage, setting up a quarter-finals clash against Serbia.

The Boomers pushed the Serbians into overtime on a Patty Mills made fadeaway jump shot over the outstretched hand of Nikola Jokic, that came with two seconds left in regulation time. Serbia took control of overtime (95-90), knocking Australia out of the tournament.

Dyson played every game and averaged 8.5 points, 5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals in 27 minutes per game.