Dash Daniels impresses in first official day at Melbourne United as Next Star, NBA draft dream beckon

He’s the biggest-name teenager in Australian basketball yet to play in an NBL game and, on Dash Daniels’ first official day at Melbourne United, he showed why he’s on a journey to the NBA.

Dash Daniels in action during his first day at Melbourne United. Picture: Melbourne United Media

The Dash Daniels era at Melbourne United has officially begun.

The teen NBA prospect saw his first action in United blue on Monday, day one of an apprenticeship as a training player at Hoop City before he makes the jump to fully-fledged NBL Next Star next season.

The Bendigo boy, 17, is among the highest-rated international prospects ahead of the 2026 NBA draft and he looked right at home mixing it up in scrimmages with the likes of United-rostered players Flynn Cameron, Kyle Bowen, Akech Aliir and Tanner Krebs.

“It felt very good to get out with the boys for the first time and it was a challenge to see how the game’s really played at a pro level,” Daniels told Code Sports after his first session.

“It’s a lot quicker, the bodies are a lot bigger a lot stronger, it’s an adjustment to

make but it was a good first day.”

Sporting hot pink Nike KD16 Aunt Pearl shoes, Daniels stood out with his speed, athleticism, vision and feel for the game.

His first basket involved a little freestyle – Two dribbles right, rising with two hands at the free throw line before finishing with a neat one-handed floater.

The lightning speed, characteristic of both he and big brother Dyson Daniels, who is tearing it up in the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks, was never more evident than on a blistering back cut that left the defence stranded and was finished off with a nice reverse lay-up.

At 198cm, Daniels already has NBA height and the body to match. His strength was on show when United’s Malith Machar met a brick wall as he tried to drive to the basket.

The defensive anticipation and gadget arms were a problem throughout the session and the effort to close out on shooters uncompromising.

The day one nerves, naturally, were still there – the deep shot didn’t want to fall – but, watching him in shooting drills revealed fluid mechanics.

The makings of an elite deep threat are clear.

Dash Daniels launches from deep at United practice. Picture: Melbourne United Media

A cast of United luminaries – Chris Goulding, Rob Loe, Shea Ili, Matthew Dellavedova, Jack White – cycled in and out of the gym for treatment, workouts and to get a glimpse of the new recruit, after a “surreal” welcome to the club Monday morning.

It might have been his first ‘official’ day, but Daniels has been a bit of a fixture at Hoops City, especially in the off-season where Dyson often spends his time practising and playing in scrimmages with other NBA players like Jock Landale and Josh Giddey.

You couldn’t wipe the smile off United chief executive Nick Truelson’s face as he watched his prized recruit go through his paces, conscious of a recruiting process that began way back in 2022.

Dash Daniels shares a laugh with Melbourne United assistant Rhys Carter. Picture: Melbourne United Media

“Three years ago, (United part-owner) Chris Moore and I drove up the highway to meet with Dash’s mum and dad,” Truelson recalled.

“Dyson had just been drafted (to the NBA) and we were looking at who might be a future high-level Next Star.

“We made a commitment then to help Dash on his path, regardless of whether he chose us or college or another path.

“We look back on that now and feel building that relationship played a role in his decision.”

Melbourne’s a 150-odd km drive from Bendigo so, with the move, comes life milestones.

“(I’m) in a hotel for the first month and until I find a house somewhere down here so I’ll be looking around and hopefully I can find a good one,” Daniels said.

“It’s a dream come true to try and find a house somewhere at 17, pretty cool.”

Dash Daniels drives baseline against United development player Campbell Blogg. Picture: Melbourne United Media

As Daniels begins his pro journey, big bro has emerged as one of the great stories of the NBA season, putting up Michael Jordan-like defensive numbers at the Atlanta Hawks and leading the league in steals at 3.2 per game.

“It’s crazy, it’s all gone by so fast, just a year ago, two years ago Dyson was in the league, playing off the bench a fair bit and just like that he’s starting, he’s playing a role and he’s doing really well,” Daniels said.

“Everything’s going really quick for us and I’m glad it’s happening.”

The NBL was also on hand to capture Dash’s first day, with a Dream Big documentary episode to be screened on January 15 focusing on his path to Next Stardom.

Originally published as Dash Daniels impresses in first official day at Melbourne United as Next Star, NBA draft dream beckon