Eldest Daniels brother Kai completes code switch from basketball to footy, signing with Richmond in VFL as siblings Dyson, Dash excel in pro hoops

As his brother Dyson stars with the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA, Kai Daniels has switched his sporting focus from basketball to football and joined Richmond’s VFL squad.

Basketball was the Daniels' clan's first love but, as Dyson and Dash make their way in hoops, older brother Kai has made a big code switch.

Kai Daniels’ younger brothers are big-time basketballers, Dyson a starting star with the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA, Dash starting out with Melbourne United in the NBL.

Kai aspired to play high-level hoops too.

He had a stint in college basketball in the US and with Mandurah Magic in the NBL1.

But the 23-year-old has switched his sporting focus to football.

This week, Daniels landed a VFL contract with Richmond, despite arriving at Punt Rd in late January.

He was surprised when Tigers operations manager Oliver Grant gave him the news.

“I came into the program quite late, so I wasn’t expecting it all,’’ Daniels told CODE Sports. “No one told me beforehand. They announced it in front of everyone.’’

Daniels returned to football last year, with Golden Square in the Bendigo league, and came to the attention of Richmond indigenous community engagement co-ordinator Luke Murray.

The Tigers spoke to Daniels and he resumed contact when he relocated from Bendigo to Melbourne two months ago, moving into a house with Dash, who is 17 and needed an adult to live with after signing with Melbourne United.

Kai Daniels resumed playing football last year ands was regularly named in the best for Golden Square’s senior team. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

“I sent a text just wondering about the possibility of me training to get better,’’ he said.

“They said, ‘Yep, come along’. It eventuated from there. That initial phone call, I wasn’t expecting to make the list, it was just about the benefit of training with a VFL side. But after two weeks or so he (Grant) sort of said, ‘You seem up to the level, you’re looking good, we’ll consider you for a contract’. So I was stoked to get it.’’

Born in Bendigo, the son of former South East Basketball League champion Ricky Daniels played football and basketball as he grew up. He said he was enthusiastic about both sports.

Luguentz Dort of the Oklahoma City Thunder is defended by Dyson Daniels of the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter at State Farm Arena on February 28.

A Victorian Country Under 18 and 20 representative, he went to the US to play Division 2 college basketball in Colorado and returned to line up in the NBL1.

But, after what he called a “few hard years’’ that took in injuries, he became frustrated with basketball and decided to go back to football.

He had last played in 2019, having six games for the Pyramid Hill Under 19s.

In 18 matches for Golden Square last year, Daniels was named in the best eight times, progressing from the forward line to the ruck.

“I was happy with how it went at Square and it made me fall in love with the game again,’’ he said.

Kai Daniels (left) with brother Dash and parents Ricky and Brikitta. Picture: Mark Stewart

Daniels is out to play a few games for the Tigers this year.

“I’m just going to try to get to the best of my ability,’’ he said. “I want to improve and see how high my ceiling is. That’s the main goal.’’

He’s signed to play local football at Pyramid Hill in the Loddon Valley league.

Grant said Daniels was raw but talented.

“He’s pretty new to the game, just with his positioning and fundamentals in terms of his kick,’’ he said.

“But his athletic upside is enormous. He’s 194, 195cm, big and strong and competitive. He’s quick and he can jump and he’s got some real power.

“He’s a bit of a sponge too. He’s confident but he understands he’s got a lot to learn and he wants to learn.’’

He said Daniels’ ruck craft was encouraging for someone who not played a lot of football.

“It was a no-brainer to bring him into our program. Not sure what the ceiling is for Kai, but we’re pretty hopeful it’s a high ceiling.’’

Meanwhile, Werribee may bring in another Ovens and Murray player as it looks to cover off its ruck stocks.

The Bees have selected 203cm Indhi Kotzur to play in tonight’s practice match against Williamstown.

Kotzur is from Wodonga Raiders and made 14 appearances for the Murray Bushrangers in the Coates Talent League last year.

“The arrangement is for him to come down and have a run tonight and then we’ll have a chat,’’ Werribee coach Jimmy Allan said.

Adrian Cole strides out at last year’s AFL National Draft Combine at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.

New North Melbourne VFL-lister Adrian Cole, who was part of St Kilda’s Next Generation Academy but overlooked by the Saints in last year’s drafts, has joined the Dandenong Stingrays as a 19-year-old player.

He will play for the ‘Rays when not selected by the Kangaroos.

Cole last year played in the Sandringham Dragons’ premiership, represented Vic Metro and attended the national draft combine.

“He’s a draftable prospect looking for a new start in a different region,’’ Stingrays coach Nick Cox said of Cole.

“He did the whole pre-season at North VFL and Tom Lynch (Roos VFL coach) reached out to us and asked if he could play with us when he’s not in the VFL. He’s fitted in really nicely.’’

Cox had a good look at Cole last year and rated him highly.

“His nationals were really good. His close-down speed is unbelievable, defensively he’s really good. Hopefully a change for him can stimulate that little bit extra in his development.’’

There will be an over-over ager in the Coates Talent League this year, with the AFL giving the Western Jets permission to list Ayden McCarroll in the year he turns 20.

McCarroll is 209cm and played four matches for the Jets last year.

One AFL recruiter said the slightly-built McCarroll “showed a bit’’ and was worth bringing back.

Originally published as Eldest Daniels brother Kai completes code switch from basketball to footy, signing with Richmond in VFL as siblings Dyson, Dash excel in pro hoops