Dash Daniels is one of the youngest players in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup.
Yet, it doesn't stop the 17-year-old from being one of the key players for Australia.
"I mean, I've been doing it pretty much my whole life. I've always been that younger guy, so I don't really think too much of it," Daniels told BasketNews. "I just go out there, try and play as hard as I can, and just play my game."
"But yeah, I mean, there is a big, big age gap, but I don't think too much into it. Just, you know, try and play as hard as I can," he continued.
Australia currently has a 3-1 record in the tournament and will face Germany in the quarterfinal on Friday.
So far, Daniels put his best performance of the tournament against Cameroon, finishing the game with 22 points (7/20 FG, 5/11 3PT), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 15 EFF.
Overall, he averages 10.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
Dash Daniels Is Ready for the Next Challenge in NBL
After the tournament ends, Daniels will face a new chapter and challenge of his career – making the NBL debut for the Melbourne United.
The 17-year-old is confident about his readiness.
"Yeah, I mean, 100% I think I'm ready. You know, I'm a bigger guard, so I can hold my ground," Daniels argued. "You know, I'm stronger than most people my age. And I think I can hold up with those bigger bodies, those, you know, the men in the NBL."
"And that's what I've been playing in NBL 1, the league below that. I've been playing in that the last couple of months and just trying to get used to the men's style of play, the Australian style. So, it's been good and I think I'm ready for it," he continued.
Why Did Dash Daniels stay in Australia instead of going to the US?
While Dash is gearing up for his NBL debut as a projected first-round pick, comparisons to his brother Dyson are inevitable.
Dyson Daniels has already completed his 3rd season in the US, during which he claimed NBA Most Improved Player, NBA All-Defensive First Team, and NBA steals leader honors.
However, unlike Dyson, who spent a year with the G League Ignite before the NBA Draft, Dash decided to stay in Australia.
Why's that?
"I think the Next Stars program, over the last five years, they've proven its success," Dash told BasketNews. "They've had a lot of guys that have gone through the program, made the NBA, been drafted."
"And a lot of those guys have gone on to do some pretty special things in the NBA as well. So that's what I'm trying to do.
I'm trying to get drafted next year and make a big impact for an NBA team. So I think that's the best option for me. And, you know, the college path was there, but I would have had to wait another whole year since I'm not eligible yet. So that's the only thing that set that back," he added.
Credit FIBA Media
Brotherly Competition—and Inspiration
Even though their paths to the NBA are different, there's one similarity between the Daniels brothers. Both of them are being valued for their defense and a knack for steals.
"Since we were younger, we all played the same sports. We played soccer, played Australian football. And then I think just our body types are pretty similar," Dash named the reasons behind their similar traits. "We move pretty similarly. So I think just over the years, our game styles just kind of match each other's."
Nevertheless, as the 17-year-old guard notes, he's not trying to copy his older brother.
"I don't really pay too much attention to it. I don't really try and play like him or anything like that. It's kind of just natural," he said.
Yet, Dash got the treatment that most of the younger siblings receive.
"I mean, when I was younger, I used to lose all the time. He's like five years older than me, so he used to beat me all the time. He didn't take it easy on me," Dash revealed.
The rematch is on the cards, though.
"Nowadays, we haven't played one-on-one in a while. So hopefully next time I'm back home, I'll get that going and I'll see where I'm at," he noted.
Dash's Lessons from His Brother Dyson Daniels
Nevertheless, having an older brother also comes with benefits. Especially when you're in the same field and he can share his experiences.
[Dyson's] got me to where I am today, and look at where he is today," Dash credited Dyson per Basketball Australia.
So, what's the best advice Dash received from his brother?
"Just take every opportunity you can," Dash revealed. "If you get minimal court time, go out there, play as hard as you can, play defense, get out on offense, do what the team needs."
"It doesn't matter how much court time you're getting. If you're getting a lot or a little, it's the same mindset. You just got to go out, you got to go kill it. So just trying to have that killer mentality every game," he continued.
Making NBA and Australian History With His Brother
Looking ahead, Dash and Dyson could make history by becoming the first Australian brothers to play in the NBA.
"No, I haven't really talked about it. Didn't really think of it that way either. Kind of the first time hearing it," Dash admitted. "But that'll be something very special. To be the first Australian brothers in the NBA – that'll be fantastic. So that's a big goal of mine. Hopefully, I can get there one day."
Credit FIBA Media
Even though there's still plenty of time left, Dash already pictured the first potential matchup in the NBA against his brother.
"I mean, hopefully I'm guarding him. Hopefully, just going out there and showing him who's boss, who's the big one. It'll be super fun to get out on court with him and just be a surreal moment," he said.
Defense Is Personal for Dash
And don't doubt – Dash takes pride in his defensive abilities.
"It's not so much that I love playing it, but more that I hate when people score against me," he revealed. I don't want that happening. I'm always trying to stop them from scoring on me."
"I just hate when someone gets a basket on me – it kind of annoys me. So I just like to stop those players. I've always taken pride in my defense. That's my main thing," Daniels said.
NBA Stars Followed By Dash Daniels
After being asked which NBA players he likes to watch and analyze, one of them didn't come as a surprise.
"A lot of Jrue Holiday – defensive-minded guard," Daniels said. "He's a little bit smaller, but he gets the loose balls, the one-percenters. He's a very tough guard, and I like to watch the way he guards the ball and all that stuff."
"Also, guys like Anthony Edwards – just his mentality, gets on the rim, very athletic, just insane finishing. I like to watch him as well. And then also offensively, Kevin Durant – he's one of my favorite players," Daniels continued his list. "Just the way he handles the ball, gets to the mid-range, and shoots his shot. So, I'd say those three guys.
Credit FIBA Media
Carrying the Boomers' Legacy Forward
While Daniels is focused on his own development, he's also part of a bigger wave of emerging Aussie talent set to follow in the Boomers' footsteps.
With players like Patty Mills, Matthew Dellavedova, and Joe Ingles leading Australia to historic heights, the Boomers earned global respect.
Now, with Dash, Josh Giddey, and Dyson Daniels stepping in, how does the next generation plan to carry that momentum forward on the national team stage?
"I mean, Australian basketball – we're looking really good," Daniels said confidently. "We've got a lot of young juniors and a lot of talented players coming up. I think we're going to be one of those top teams in the next few years."
"Everyone's going to be talking about us. I think we're going to be in that Top 3 bracket. So I'm just trying to take it day by day and try to get better myself. We've got a lot of special guys in Australia. So it's looking good," he concluded.
Edvinas Jablonskis
Edvinas Jablonskis began his basketball coverage career in 2017. Starting as a Daily Writer for BasketNews.lt, he steadily climbed the ranks and became a Daily Editor for BasketNews.com in 2021, a position he continues to hold. Over the years, Jablonskis has covered multiple EuroLeague Final Fours and international tournaments, including the FIBA EuroBasket, FIBA Basketball World Cup, and FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
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