Dyson Daniels continues the Australian pipeline of talent in the NBA after being selected with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans.
Not only did he become one of the highest-drafted Australians in NBA history, but Daniels also followed in Josh Giddey’s footsteps as the second Australian NBA Academy graduate ever selected in the draft.
Daniels spent time at the NBA Global Academy in Canberra, Australia, before playing for the G League Ignite for one season prior to the draft.
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Alongside Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram, Daniels looks to make an impact on the Pelicans from the jump and we’ll be there every step of the way. Follow along as we chronicle Daniels’ best moments, stats and highlights from his rookie season.
Daniels stays in the starting lineup
Daniels made his ninth career start and fourth in a row for the Pelicans, as they fell to the Heat 124-98.
🇦🇺 @DysonDaniels & the @PelicansNBA fall to the Heat 124-98.
📊 9 PTS | 6 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL pic.twitter.com/lHPjNvrDc6
— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) January 19, 2023
While he’s shot 50 percent or better in his last four games, the Aussie hasn’t scored in double figures since December 12.
Pelicans topple Suns in West showdown, Dec. 12
The New Orleans Pelicans are flying, making it nine wins from their past 10 games to sit atop the Western Conference standings at 18-8 on the season.
Starting his fifth game in a row (five wins), Daniels recorded 11 points, eight assists, and zero turnovers in his 36 minutes on court, giving the Pelicans an edge on defence with his play against the likes of Chris Paul and Mikal Bridges.
🔥 @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
Career night vs. Raptors, Dec. 1
Daniels continues to make the most of his minutes off the bench, turning in his most well-rounded performance of the season in a 126-108 win over the Raptors.
Daniels flirted with a triple-double, recording a season-high 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting, adding nine assists, eight rebounds, and one steal in a season-high 31 minutes.
🙌 @DysonDaniels filled it up in the @PelicansNBA 126-108 win over the Raptors.
📊 14 PTS | 9 AST | 8 REB | 1 STL pic.twitter.com/vqIXquP5Ry
— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) December 1, 2022
Dyson gets bragging rights, Nov. 29
It was an all-Aussie affair in New Orleans as Dyson Daniels squared off against this childhood mate Josh Giddey for the first time in their young NBA careers.
Daniels took first bragging right was the pelicans got the 105-101 victory, with Daniels putting up eight points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals in the win.
🇦🇺 @DysonDaniels & the @PelicansNBA hold on for a 105-101 win over the Thunder!
📊 8 PTS | 5 REB | 2 AST | 2 STL | 28 MIN pic.twitter.com/fgv20xMiBH
— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) November 29, 2022
He produced one of the plays of the game, using his lighting first step to get to the rim for a two-handed flush.
😤 @DysonDaniels‘ first step is too quick! @PelicansNBA
Watch NOW on NBA League Pass! Use code NBA50 at checkout for 50% off ➡ https://t.co/PM2triRm0n pic.twitter.com/OimdNRPxfX
— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) November 29, 2022
Daniels flexes defence vs. Spurs, Nov. 24
Daniels followed up his strong outing against the Warriors, with another solid performance against the Spurs, playing a season-high 22:12 minutes in the Pelicans win.
The rookie finished with a line of five points, two assists, one rebound, one steal, and a block, impressing with his defensive versatility.
📈 @DysonDaniels & the @PelicansNBA cruise to a 129-110 win over the Spurs. pic.twitter.com/UpSU4ng1oU
— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) November 24, 2022
Daniels shines in cameo vs. Grizzlies, Nov. 16
Daniels had struggled for court time in November, playing under six minutes across six games, but with the Pelicans shorthanded, Daniels’ number was called against the Grizzlies.
In 17 minutes on court, the Aussie was active on the defensive end and on the glass, using his length and athleticism to make an impact.
He put up three points on 1-of-5 from the field, adding nine rebounds, one assist, one steal, and a monster block on Ja Morant!
DYSON DENIAL! ✋ pic.twitter.com/7VovheA7lX
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) November 16, 2022
A mixed night against the Lakers, Nov. 2
After missing the Pelicans’ last two games, Daniels was right in the thick of the action against the Lakers.
In 16 minutes on court, he recorded eight points, five rebounds, two assists, and a block, knocking down 2-of-3 from beyond the arc.
In the third quarter, he showed off his defensive prowess, ripping the ball away from LeBron James.
Dyson rips the ball from Lebron 😤 pic.twitter.com/GSemtK25su
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) November 3, 2022
Down the stretch, Daniels had a moment he’ll want back.
With the Pelicans leading by three points with 1.6 seconds left on the clock, he went to the free throw line, missing both, leaving the door open for a Lakers comeback.
Matt Ryan then buried a triple at the buzzer to force overtime, before the Lakers sealed a 120-117 win on their home floor.
Daniels impresses vs. Luka, Mavs Oct. 26
After not seeing the floor in the Pelicans’ last two games, Dyson Daniels seized his opportunity with the Pelicans shorthanded, due to injuries to Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Herb Jones.
In 22 minutes, the 19-year-old recorded 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting to go with three rebounds, two assists, three steals and one block, playing some impressive defensive stretches against MVP favourite Luka Doncic.
🇦🇺 @DysonDaniels shines for the @PelicansNBA in their win over the Mavs. #Pelicans
📊 11 PTS | 3 REB | 2 AST | 3 STL | 1 BLK pic.twitter.com/5VvPdJNgm9
— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) October 26, 2022
NBA debut vs. Nets, Oct. 19
Dyson Daniels had to wait till the fourth quarter to make his official regular season debut when the game was already won for the Pelicans.
In limited game time, Daniels looked confident handling the ball, running the pick-and-roll, and recording two assists in three minutes.
Dyson Daniels’ stats
| SEASON | GP | MIN | PTS | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | OREB | DREB | REB | AST | TOV | STL | BLK | PF | FP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 36 | 19.7 | 4.5 | 1.8 | 3.9 | 45.7 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 35.2 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 59.3 | 0.7 | 2.8 | 3.5 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 2.0 | 14.4 |
Credit: sportingnews.com