Australian basketball prodigy Dyson Daniels is emerging as one of the top prospects ahead of the NBA draft, with leading scouts labelling him as “the most impressive”.
The 203-centimetre guard from Victoria is projected to be taken within the first 10 picks in the upcoming draft on June 23.
Daniels, 19, has spent the past year playing for the NBA G League Ignite, a developmental basketball team affiliated with the G League, after turning down offers from college basketball programs and the NBL’s Next Stars system.
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In the aftermath of last week’s NBA draft combine, the Australian’s stock has soared, so much that leading draft expert Jonathan Givony is projecting that he’ll go in the top five.
It’s also been reported Daniels has met with at least nine NBA teams.
“Dyson Daniels had (in my view) the most impressive showing of any prospect on the Pro Day circuit at the NBA Combine, shooting the lights out and looking like he still has immense potential he’s yet to tap into,” Givony wrote on Twitter.
“Starting to generate some top-five pick buzz.”
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Daniels was queried recently on the prospect of playing with fellow young Aussie Josh Giddey, who’s currently with Oklahoma City.
OKC has three first-round selections, with picks two, 12 and 34.
“I’d love to play with Josh… whether it’s the right fit or not, I’d prefer to be in a place that’s going to be the right fit for me,” said Daniels.
“Whether that’s OKC or not, I’m not sure. Hopefully one day I’ll get to play with Josh for sure.”
Daniels was born in Bendigo, Australia.
He is the son of Ricky, who came to Australia from the US to play in the South East Australian Basketball League with the Bendigo Braves.
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