Like Simmons, Exum, Patty Mills and Adelaide 36ers teenager Josh Giddey, he will get to make his first Boomers start as a teenager and he is still a year away from having to make big calls about whether to purse US college basketball or a professional career in the NBL or even the NBA.
But what he is most excited about is the chance to become a full Boomers international.
“It’s one of my lifetime goals, this is what I live for, to play for my country at the highest level and I’m looking forward to getting into it,” Daniels said.
Caporn has worked with Daniels for over 18 months at the COE, where their squad and the NBA academy are based, while Caporn said any comparisons to No. 1 pick and NBA All-Star Simmons were a high mark and premature, he praised Daniels for his attitude and commitment.
Daniels is the son of long-time NBL1 import Ricky Daniels, who had his number retired at Bendigo Stadium after a decorated career in the second-tier of Australian basketball then remained in Bendigo to raise his three sons, with Dyson the middle child.
“He’s confident and aggressive but he’s stoic and level-headed,” Caporn said.
“He has that great mix of a great family, parents who care about the right stuff and that country Australia underdog attitude – he loves to get out there and compete and he never backs down.
“He’s about the work and he’s kind of unique, a throwback, traditional low-key guy.”
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The Daniels family couldn’t make it to Cairns due to last week’s Victorian lockdown but Dyson said they would be busy taking his young brother to Traralgon for a Country Victoria tournament this weekend, so they will be watching it on television with friends.
“Dad has been a great mentor to me, he pushes me to be my best,” Dyson said.
“He played college basketball then here in Australia and he was just a battler, he has that competitive spirit about himself and that’s been passed on to me.”
Daniels made his NBL1 debut for Bendigo as a 15-year-old and played minutes for a grand final team so making elite teams ahead of time is something he has developed a habit of doing.
Whether NBA scouts are watching or not, Daniels will have his mind on his team and winning the game for his country by making big plays defensively and getting to the basket.
“I’m just looking forward to representing my country and doing what I have to do to help my team win,” Daniels said.
“If there are eyes on us, there are eyes on us but I’m going to give it my best shot.”
Australia play New Zealand in Cairns on Saturday at 7.30pm AEDT with Fox Sports and Kayo showing the game live.
Roy Ward is a Sports writer for The Age.
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