While Dyson Daniels continues his rise in the NBA, coming off an impressive season with the Atlanta Hawks, winning Most Improved Player of the Year and finishing second in Defensive Player of the Year, the Daniels family has another star in the pipeline.
Dyson's younger brother Dash.
The younger Daniels is quickly becoming one of the hottest prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft, with ESPN's Jonathan Givony ranking the Aussie at No. 9 in his latest Mock Draft.
WATCH: FIBA Under-19 World Cup via Courtside 1891 on DAZN
Daniels turned down several college offers to stay home and play for Melbourne United in the 2025-26 season as part of the Next Stars Program, following in the footsteps of lottery picks LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey, and Alex Sarr.
"I am joining one of the toughest leagues in the world," Daniels told ESPN.
"Playing against grown men at a young age will only help me develop. The Next Stars Program has proven to help lots of young stars achieve their dream of playing in the NBA, which is mine also."
Making it rain 🌧️
— NBL Next Stars (@NBLNextStars) June 15, 2025
After another impressive performance yesterday in @NBL1 South (23 PTS on 4/5 3FG), Dash Daniels now sits at 𝟏𝟑/𝟐𝟎 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞-𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 for the season 🔥@NBL | @MelbUnited pic.twitter.com/3XNDlI4kW8
At 6-foot-6, Daniels is already an impressive defender, with a lightning-quick first step, looming as a high-level two-way prospect, already putting in work at an international level in 2024 at the Under-17 FIBA basketball World Cup in Türkiye.
Daniels led the Aussies in every major statistical category with 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and a tournament-leading 3.6 steals across seven games.
Dash Daniels named Defensive MVP of the 2025 Basketball Without Borders Global Camp. Wreaked havoc on and off the ball all week with his 6'10 wingspan, strong frame, intensity and instincts. Offense still a work in progress, but showing improvement in several facets. pic.twitter.com/LzmBntlIMp
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) February 17, 2025
"Dash is one of the best defenders in the world for his age. He’s absolutely elite," ESPN's Jonathan Givony said on the Aussie Hoops Hour podcast.
"He looks like he’s still growing too... There's so much talent there, I’m really excited to get another look at him in a couple of weeks in Switzerland."
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Daniels and the Emus will get their campaign underway against the USA on Saturday, June 28, drawn in the Group of Death alongside Cameroon and France.
Australian Emus Roster
| PLAYER | STATE |
| Emmett Adair | NSW |
| Che Brogan | VIC |
| Alex Dickeson | SA |
| Dash Daniels | NSW |
| Luke Fennell | VIC |
| Jacob Furphy | TAS |
| Mading Kuany | VIC |
| Ajak Nyuon | ACT |
| Roman Siulepa | QLD |
| Nash Walker | TAS |
| Jack Whitbourn | VIC |