NBA star Dyson Daniels on finding balance

He's on the ball

The Australian NBA star, Olympian and entrepreneur on risk, resilience and chasing excellence on the world stage.

You’re 22 and taking the NBA by storm – playing for the Atlanta Hawks and leading the league this season with an impressive average of 3.1 steals per game. Having achieved so much, so young, do you have a standout career highlight?

I had two dreams as a kid; to play in the NBA and to play in the Olympic Games. I’ve achieved both, and that’s pretty special.

Now the focus has shifted to new achievements I want to chase, like be an All-Star in the NBA, win a championship, and be defensive player of the year.

Was there a pivotal moment when you realised that basketball was what you wanted to pursue? 

I’ve loved playing basketball since I was four or five years old. Dad played, so it’s always been in the family. But it wasn’t until I was 15, when I moved to Canberra and the Australian Institute of Sport, that I dedicated my life to basketball.

I moved out of home with 20 other basketballers on a scholarship. We lived together, played basketball every day and also completed normal school on top of that.

How has your own approach to basketball evolved after moving to the US and joining the NBA?

This is my third year in the NBA. In my first two years I wasn’t taking care of my body, I wasn’t being professional.

In the NBA your body is your pride. If your body’s not in shape and you’re not taking care of it, then that’s going to be a detriment to your career. You play up to 80 games in the NBA season and I’ve learned from veteran players that to have a long, successful career it’s all about doing the right things to be able to back up your game the next day.

For me, that means getting in early, getting in the cold tub, getting massages and treatments to make sure I take care of my body in a preventative way.

Playing at such an elite level, does nutrition play a big part as well?

Absolutely. I lose weight easily, so I work with my chef and her team of nutritionists on what she can add to my meals to put on weight. Good weight as well, not just fatty foods. She makes sure that what I’m getting in my body is the right thing after a game, and that on my off-days I’m eating to help recover and be ready the next day.

On top of your career in professional basketball, you founded a fashion label, Vouseti, last year. How do you find balance juggling both?

While I keep a strict path, I like to keep a free mind to balance the two [fashion and sport]. I don’t want to put pressure on myself and be stressing out if I don’t get things done. I’m still human. I like to live life and have fun.

The one rule I live by is to get eight hours of sleep every night. I know that if I wake up tired, you won’t get the best Dyson on that day. You’ll probably get a very grumpy Dyson.

But otherwise, I still go out for dinners, have a beer or some wine every now and then. I've always been into fashion and it’s something I've always enjoyed doing. When I'm in a big city, I like going shopping, buying the latest pieces.

And fashion becomes even more exciting when you have your own line because you can design whatever clothes you want to be yourself. 

Lastly, what advice do you have for other people who dream of turning their passions into a career?

If you fall in love with the game you’re playing, you’ll do anything it takes to get to the highest level. I’ve had hobbies come and go, and with those hobbies you put in what you want to get out.

It’s the same with basketball and fashion. You’ve got to be disciplined, you’ve got to make sacrifices if you want to be great.

Originally published as NBA star Dyson Daniels on finding balance