NBA: Bendigo’s Dyson Daniels set to debut for New Orleans Pelicans

One tournament stands out as the moment people knew Dyson Daniels was on the path to the NBA. Here’s what happened as he prepares for his debut.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 14: Dyson Daniels #11 of the New Orleans Pelican poses during the 2022 NBA Rookie Portraits at UNLV on July 14, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The bright lights have never phased Dyson Daniels.

Now the Bendigo basketballer is ready to play under the brightest of them all — in the NBA.

Daniels is expected to make his New Orleans Pelicans debut on Thursday morning AEDT on a roadtrip to take on the Brooklyn Nets.

It’s an opportunity that could see Daniels face off against fellow Aussies Ben Simmons and Patty Mills.

But Bendigo Basketball’s director of coaching Joe Hurst believes he’s ready to handle the occasion.

“When I first met Dyson he had a basketball in his hand so I don’t know if that was a bit of a sign of what was to come or not,” he said.

“He always had the ability to play well but I don’t think it was until the 2018 National Junior Classic (an event which attracts some of Australia’s best basketball teams) that we knew just how possible it was he could be a special player.

Dyson Daniels as a junior. Picture: Supplied

“He came up against some adversity in that tournament and managed to work his through it.

“When I saw him progress from there to the NBA Global Academy and the G-League, you could just see him developing.

“He’s a die hard competitor and that’s not going to change.”

And it didn’t take long for Pelicans coach Willie Green to notice the work ethic from his top selection in this year’s NBA Draft.

It translated onto the court in pre-season as the 19-year-old averaged 7.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and two assists per game in just over 18 minutes of action.

“He is just getting in there and playing hard first and foremost,” Green said.

“He is competing, he‘s mature for 19. He has a maturity level on the floor when he gets (the ball), and he is making good decisions for the most part. He’s another guy that just gets after it at practice.

“He works extremely hard. He has earned some minutes during the pre-season.”

Dyson Daniels blocks Nikola Vucevic. Photo: Getty Images/AFP

Despite being set to make millions of dollars throughout of his career, Hurst doesn’t expect to see Daniels’ attitude change throughout his career.

After all, it’s what has held him go onto reap the rewards of Basketball Victoria’s high performance system as a teenager.

“He’s always going to be the kid from Bendigo,” Hurst said.

“Even speaking to him now since he was drafted, he’s much better polished with the way he speaks when he’s in public. He’s identical to how he was coming through our system.

“He absorbs everything and wants to learn as much as possible. His parents have raised Dyson and his brothers well. They’ve taught them to deal with adversity and work for what they want.”

Dyson Daniels. Photo: Getty Images.

Australian basketball fans will be hoping Daniels one day pulls on the green and gold alongside his opponents — Mills and Simmons.

While there’s plenty of excitement around his future back-court pairing with Josh Giddey.

“Australia has the tolls to match any country in the world,” Hurst said.

“Australia is on the way up and Dyson is going to be part of that.”