Big praise for Bendigo-born NBA rookie Dyson Daniels as stellar form continues

Bendigo’s Dyson Daniels is only 19, but he’s looking like a ‘10-year vet already’ according to those within the NBA ranks after another standout performance.

Dyson Daniels is making a splash in his first NBA season. Picture: Getty Images.

Bendigo-born Australian NBA rookie Dyson Daniels has been described as looking like a “10-year vet already”, as his impressive maiden season continues.

Daniels maintained his standout form on Monday, with the rising Boomers gun starring for the New Orleans Pelicans in a thrilling overtime win against the Phoenix Suns.

He finished with 11 points, eight assists, one steal and zero turnovers in a potent 35-minute stint starting the game at point guard.

Daniels received high praise after the match, with an Orlando-based NBA reporter taking to Twitter to rave about the 19-year-old Australian.

“Dyson Daniels...man - that kid can play,” reporter Keith Smith said about Daniels, who now has a 5-0 record as an NBA starter.

“He sees the floor on both ends like he‘s a 10-year vet already.”

🔥 @DysonDaniels & the @PelicansNBA hold off the Suns for a 129-124 win!

📊 11 PTS | 8 AST | 4-7 FG pic.twitter.com/ebIF8KgdFL

— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) December 11, 2022

Daniels is also highlighting his strength on the defensive end for the Western Conference leading Pelicans.

He has restricted multiple big name offensive players, including Phoenix’s Devin Booker and Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.

In Saturday’s win over the Suns, Daniels restricted Booker to 1/7 shooting from the field as the Phoenix guard finished with 14 points (5/17 from the field).

There’s plenty of buzz around Dyson Daniels right now. Picture: Getty Images

He also produced an impressive defensive play on James back in early November.

Daniels locked up a driving James before stripping the ball and forcing a turnover.

The emerging Australian guard is impressing, but he still isn’t the finished product, especially on the offensive end.

Daniels recently declared his desire to play for the Boomers at next year’s World Cup, and on current form he’ll be a walk-up start for that squad.

"That's beautiful Dyson Daniels!!" - @adaniels33

what a shot by the rook pic.twitter.com/rWzAbCG6F2

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) December 11, 2022

The prospect of the 19-year-old donning the green and gold already has Australian basketball fans salivating.

“The Boomers defence with Matisse (Thybulle), Dyson, Josh Green and potentially Ben Simmons would have to be one of the best in world basketball,” one fan said.

“Dyson in his rookie season is the starting point guard for the best team in the west.

“Kids a star and will only get better.”

Fellow Australian Jock Landale had eight points, seven rebounds and two assists for Phoenix in the loss.

Landale also produced a monster jam and one block in a 20-minute stint off the bench.

Originally published as Big praise for Bendigo-born NBA rookie Dyson Daniels as stellar form continues