Aussie Dyson Daniels Picked At No.9 In NBA Draft And Will Join Zion Williamson At New Orleans

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Teen Aussie sensation Dyson Daniels joins superstar Zion Williamson at New Orleans Pelicans after being selected at pick eight in NBA draft

The 19-year-old made a meteoric rise, debuting for the Boomers at just 17
He chose to play in the G League Ignite, bypassing the American college system
It was a move that paid off as he led that league in steals and assists
He will now join former No. 1 pick Williamson in a bold New Orleans outfit

Australian teenage basketball player Dyson Daniels becomes our next NBA star after being selected eighth by the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA Draft.

Dyson joins the likes of Luc Longley, Andrew Bogut, Ben Simmons and Josh Giddey in an elite squad of nine other Aussies that will be drafted in the top 10 of their respective NBA draft years.

While the 19-year-old from Bendigo was tipped to be selected as high as pick five, he later ended up in a draft where expert predictions were all quickly unraveled.

Daniels will join a squad of Pelicans who will be a force to be reckoned with in the 2022/23 season, with former No. 1 roster Zion Williamson returning after a foot injury ruled him out for the entirety of last season.

Australian G-League Ignite Dyson Daniels arrives at the NBA Draft with his mother Brikkita Kool-Daniels and father Ricky Daniels

Daniels has drawn comparisons to compatriot Matisse Thybulle, an Australian boomer for his defensive prowess after leading G-league Ignite in assists and steals.

An NBA-ready defender, he can guard multiple spots and kept his opponents at just 37 percent of the field in the Ignite.

Already scouted for an Australian international player for now, not later, Daniels made his Boomers debut last year when he was just 17.

Chris Anstey is an Australian basketball champion who has played and coached in the NBL, played in the NBA and represented his country many times.

He said Aussies could expect Daniels to have an immediate impact on the Pelicans.

Congratulations Dyson Daniels! Another Aussie in the NBA who will contribute immediately. Exciting times for Australian basketball,” he tweeted.

Daniels poses for photos on the red carpet during the 2022 NBA Draft at Barclays Center

Indiana, Portland, Washington and San Antonio had all been linked to Daniels ahead of the draft with a Pacers scout saying Daniels was “one of the best training sessions they’d ever seen” during his lead-up time with the club. to the draft.

Daniels ended his stint in the G League Ignite, where elite NBA prospects relinquish their amateur status and college careers by signing a professional contract with the program, averaging 11.3 points per game, 5.9 rebounds, and 4. 4 assists.

Daniels played in the NBL1 second-tier league in Australia before training at the NBA Academy in Canberra with Australian and Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Josh Giddey before traveling to the United States to make a name for himself in G League Ignite.

Ousmane Dieng was also chosen by the New York Knicks at pick 11. The French star played for the New Zealand Breakers in the Australian NBL league last season as part of the Next Star program.