Dash Daniels signs with Melbourne United as an NBL Next Star, spurns million-dollar US college offers

Teenage rising star Dash Daniels has turned down million-dollar offers from the US to stay local, with NBL club Melbourne United winning the signature of Australia’s most-hyped junior prospect.

Dash Daniels, one of the most-hyped junior basketball prospects Australia has ever produced, will begin his path to the NBA as an NBL Next Star, spurning million-dollar college offers to join powerhouse Melbourne United.

While Code Sports has been told it’s still the biggest Next Star deal in the program’s history, it’s understood the 16-year-old brother of Boomer and Atlanta NBA guard Dyson Daniels knocked back NIL offers from multiple NCAA programs, some that went close to an entire $1.95 million NBL salary cap.

Already touted as a top-20 NBA draft pick in 2026, the Bendigo product, who leant on family and agent Daniel Moldovan through the decision-making process, will join United as a training player in early January, a developmental headstart that trumped waiting for college.

“It was definitely a tough decision,” Dash Daniels said.

Dash Daniels has signed with Melbourne United as an NBL Next Star. Picture: NBL

“I went on visits to Perth and Melbourne and obviously had those college decisions but the thing that set it apart was if I went college it would have been a whole extra year until I could go. With the Next Stars program, I can go next year.

“Being able to go to United early and have all that experience and learn the Melbourne-style of play itself, not many Next Stars get to have that four-five months with the team before they start playing.

“Having that extra time to improve and develop playing with and against grown men is going to help me a lot.”

The chance to play under coaching doyen Dean Vickerman in a winning program and learn the finer arts of defence from the likes of reigning NBL Defensive Player of the Year Shea Ili and an NBA veteran who built a championship career on guarding the best players in the world in Matthew Dellavedova was a money-can’t-buy opportunity too good for Daniels to refuse.

“Those guys were a really big part of it, being able to go on my visit to United and then seeing those guys just dominate,” he said.

“They’re very physical, they loved to play both sides of the floor. I’m a two-way player, I love to do that as well, so that had a big influence on me.”

Daniels has made multiple appearances as a junior international. Picture: Supplied

Dash and Dyson Daniels at the 2022 NBA Draft. Picture: IG @dashdanielss

Legendary sharpshooter Chris Goulding will take Daniels under his wing as a mentor when he arrives at United, which is building a track record in helping players get to the NBA — Jock Landale, Jack White and Dellavedova have all enjoyed recent stints and Next Star Ariel Hukporti is making his mark in New York as the 58th pick in this year’s draft.

“He’s (Goulding) one of the best shooters to ever come out of Australia and he’s going to teach me a lot, hopefully help me with my shot and just being professional,” Daniels said.

Vickerman was at April’s U18 Basketball Australia National Championships and watched as Daniels was named MVP of the tournament.

“The recruitment of Dash has been ongoing for a while now,” Vickerman said.

“Once we knew that he had interest in the Next Stars program, we knew it could be a really good fit.

“We’ve got a great relationship with the Daniels family, and it’s been amazing to see the type of basketball Dyson has been playing.”

As big brother forged a path to become the eighth pick in the 2022 NBA draft, Dash Daniels has had to grow up fast as the spotlight intensified.

Talent guru Michael Houben of Airtime Australasian Scouting said the younger Daniels had been tracked by NBA scouts since his early teens and the social media revolution has made him a quasi-household name in the basketball world.

“He’s a big guard with great defensive instincts, has the frame to get really strong and he has no clear deficiencies,” Houben said of the regular junior international.

If all goes to plan, Daniels will likely be the youngest player in the 2026 draft and would then play three months of NBA basketball as an 18-year-old.

“Being able to go to the pro level at 16 years old is a big jump so you’ve got to grow up fast and become more developed, physically and mentally,” Daniels said.

“You’ve just got to play your own game, go along with it and work as hard as you can.

“I’m a little bit of a basketball junkie, I’m always on the court, watching film and stuff, but I also love to get out with the mates, just to break it up.”

He says watching big brother’s rise to now being touted as a NBA Defensive Player of the Year candidate has helped his own journey.

“I’ve been watching every single game he’s played, he’s obviously turned it up a lot, becoming one of those rising stars,” Daniels said.

“I’ve been taking bits and pieces from his game and I’ve been calling him and just talking to him about that.

“He’s been a big influence on me.”

While Dyson Daniels is making his mark as an elite off-guard defender with improved scoring ability alongside Trae Young in Atlanta, talent watchers say little bro is more advanced at the same age.

Dash Daniels, at 198cm, is seen as more a pure point guard with similar defensive gifts to Dyson, paired with a more advanced offensive game.

“I’m more of a one-two kind of guard, a bit bigger point guard than most, but I think I play pretty similar to him (Dyson), I love playing defence, getting up and down the court, knocking down the three ball, just getting on the rim and looking aggressive.

“I’d say we’re pretty similar, but we have our own style of game as well.

“I like to think of myself as a pass-first point guard so if I drive in and draw two defenders I’m going to kick it out straight away.

“Whatever the best shot is I’m going to find my teammate and be a playmaker and leader for the team.”

Vickerman believes the youngster’s mature body and defensive ability makes him NBL ready, despite his tender years.

Next Stars boss Liam Santamaria said Dash Daniels’ decision to stay home over moving abroad is a massive boon for the NBL, which could result in a pair of lottery picks out of the Next Stars program in 2026, given he’s rated alongside New Zealand Breaker Karim Lopez among the top international talents.

Originally published as Dash Daniels signs with Melbourne United as an NBL Next Star, spurns million-dollar US college offers