FIBA Asia Cup 2025: Dash Daniels, 17, set to be youngest Australian Boomer since Ben Simmons
Australian basketball’s next teenage sensation has opened up as he prepares to make history as the youngest Boomers debutant since former NBA No.1 draft pick Ben Simmons.
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A Boomers debut at 17 is a “dream come true” for Dash Daniels.
The younger brother of Atlanta Hawks reigning NBA Most Improved Player Dyson Daniels was among 12 Aussies selected to compete for a third straight Asia Cup gold medal in Saudi Arabia next month.
“It’s super cool, being able to play for the Boomers for the first time is a dream come true,” Daniels told Code Sports.
“It’s one of those goals being ticked off and I can’t wait to get out on the court with the boys in Saudi Arabia.”
Simmons, the former Philadelphia 76ers No.1 NBA draft pick, was 17 years and 25 days when he played 5 minutes and scored 2 points with 2 steals and a block in a 70-59 Oceania Cup win over New Zealand.
The Melbourne United NBL Next Star will be 17 years, 10 months and 19 days old when he hits the court against Korea — marking a maiden international before his professional debut.
Daniels said he approached this week’s national team selection camp on the Gold Coast as another opportunity to learn and improve.
“It was something a lot different. I’ve just gone through all the junior programs and making this big jump to the Boomers is a huge step,” he said.
“Being able to see how they do things in the program and the different coaching styles and ways they move the ball.
“It’s a whole new team and there’s so many different things to know in the back of your head.
“The coaches and players have been great and I’m learning a lot every day.
“Obviously I’m playing against men now, so it’s a lot more physical and I’m loving every step of it. It’s been fun.”
That physicality and the presence of the likes of veteran former NBA quartet Jack White, Jack McVeigh, Will Magnay and Xavier Cooks, might be daunting for your average 17-year-old.
But not for Bendigo-born Daniels, who has worked hard on his mentality to build an unwavering inner confidence that ensures he is able to put his best forward every time he steps on the floor.
“All of these guys have had very successful careers and done some great things with a basketball,” Daniels said.
“But I’m confident in my abilities and come in with a lot of confidence, attack every day.
“I’m always just trying to improve myself and prove to them that I belong here.”
One man who is certain Daniels belongs in the system is legendary bronzed coach Brian Goorjian, who said Daniels’ Asia Cup call-up reminded him of when a 19-year-old Andrew Gaze was plucked for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
“Andrew being put in the Boomers and that senior environment at a young age helped to fast track his potential,” Goorjian said.
“The same thing will happen with Dash — he is a tremendous talent.”
Boomers big man Will Magnay said, despite Daniels’ tender years, the young gun’s selection was earned, not given, as he more than matched it with his peers during the training camp.
“Dash proved himself and deserved to make the team,” Magnay said.
“It wasn’t like, ‘he is young, so let’s just bring him along’, he did really well at camp and he is a proven talent.
“I’m really excited to see him get his first minutes as a Boomer and hopefully he continues to keep growing to push to play alongside his brother (Dyson) at the next World Cup in Qatar in 2027.”
Daniels said the vaunted Boomers culture was resounding on the Gold Coast — big brother Dyson, NBA star Josh Giddey and Boomers icon Matthew Dellavedova were all in attendance.
“It’s good to have those Boomer players around and joining practice — they don’t have to be here, it’s an optional thing, but it shows how much they love playing for Australia and that’s the Boomers culture.
“They’re doing it for the Boomers and what’s next.”
The Daniels brothers are in constant contact, but Dash said it was good to catch up with big bro, who, at just 22, has been to a World Cup and Olympics, face-to-face: “He’s given me some advice”.
There’s a real youth movement in the squad with the average age of the Boomers’ 12 just 23.8 years as the begin their first real steps toward the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar and the 2028 LA Olympics.
Seven-footer Harry Wessels, out of St Mary’s College, and rising stars Owen Foxwell, Ben Henshall, Reyne Smith and Jaylin Galloway are among six players aged 22 or younger.
Sean MacDonald (25) and Will Hickey (26) are the in-betweeners of the group.
“We couldn’t be more excited about this group representing Australia and the dedication they’ve shown to the Boomers program,” Boomers coach Adam Caporn said.
“It’s been a strong competitive start to camp, and we feel we’re building something special from these early foundations.”
The unlucky pair to miss out from the squad of 14 who attended training camp on the Gold Coast are new Tasmania JackJumpers big man Josh Bannan and South East Melbourne guard Angus Glover, who suffered a shoulder injury during practice.
The Boomers will tune up for the trip to Jeddah on Thursday in a clash with University of Colorado at Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre.
2025 BOOMERS ASIA CUP TEAM
Xavier Cooks
Dash Daniels
Owen Foxwell
Jaylin Galloway
Ben Henshall
Davo Hickey
Will Magnay
Sean MacDonald
Jack McVeigh
Reyne Smith
Harry Wessels
Jack White
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