Dyson Daniels

Dyson Daniels

Dyson Daniels (born March 17, 2003) is an Australian professional basketball player for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m) with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, Daniels has rapidly ascended as one of the premier perimeter defenders in the league. After being selected 8th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans, he was traded to Atlanta in 2024, where his career reached new heights.

A standout of the 2024–25 season, Daniels was named the NBA Most Improved Player, finished as the runner-up for the NBA DPOY, and earned NBA All-Defensive First Team honors. He famously led the league in steals that year, becoming the first player in over three decades to average at least 3.0 steals per game, earning him the nickname “The Great Barrier Thief”.

Early Life 

Family

Daniels was born in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, into a family deeply rooted in basketball. His father, Ricky Daniels, was a star at North Carolina State University before becoming a two-time MVP in Australia’s SEABL league. His mother, Brigita Kuhl, was also an athlete with talents in tennis and volleyball.

Growing up in Bendigo, Dyson trained rigorously alongside his two brothers under his father’s guidance. While his peers were often focused on scoring, Daniels stood out for his early obsession with defense and playmaking. At just 11 years old, he was already recognized as one of the top perimeter defenders in Australia’s youth system. He later attended the NBA Global Academy in Canberra, which served as a major stepping stone for his professional aspirations.

Pre-NBA Career

Daniels bypassed the traditional American college route, opting instead for elite international development and the G League pathway.

• Senior Debut in Australia: Before turning 16, he began playing against adults in professional circles, which helped build his physical and mental toughness.
• NBA G League Ignite (2021–2022): Daniels joined the Ignite program in the United States, where he showcased his versatility. In 26 games, he averaged 11.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, proving he could contribute across every statistical category.

NBA Career

 

New Orleans Pelicans (2022–2024)

The Pelicans selected Daniels with the 8th overall pick in 2022. His first two seasons were defined by steady growth as a defensive specialist. As a rookie, he averaged 3.8 points and 3.2 rebounds in 17.7 minutes per game. By his second year, his role expanded, and he emerged as a high-impact “disruptor” off the bench, though his offensive game remained a work in progress.

Atlanta Hawks (2024–present)

In July 2024, Daniels was traded to the Atlanta Hawks as a key piece of the blockbuster deal for Dejounte Murray. The move proved to be a turning point. Inserted into the starting lineup by coach Quin Snyder, Daniels became the perfect defensive anchor next to All-Star guard Trae Young.

The 2024–25 season was a historic breakout. Daniels averaged 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 3.01 steals per game. His 229 total steals were the most in a single season since the mid-1990s. He also led the NBA in total deflections with 443, the highest since the league began tracking the stat. For his efforts, he won the 2024-25 NBA Most Improved Player award and finished as the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year.

2025–2026 Season

As of February 2026, Daniels is continuing his high-level production for the Hawks. Through 44 games, he is averaging 11.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 6.2 assists. While his scoring is slightly lower than his breakout year, his playmaking has reached a career high.

On January 10, 2026, Daniels recorded his first career triple-double in a 110–87 victory against the Denver Nuggets. Most recently, on January 14, 2026, he faced the Los Angeles Lakers, and earlier in the season, on December 14, he scored a season-high 27 points against Philadelphia. He currently leads the Hawks in total steals (83) and assists (273) for the season.

National Team Career

Daniels is a core member of the Australian Boomers. He made a splash in his senior debut during the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, recording 23 points and six steals against New Zealand. He represented Australia at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he averaged 8.5 points and 5.0 rebounds as a starter. During the Olympics, he was consistently one of Australia’s best perimeter defenders, tying for the team lead in steals per game.

Career Highlights

• NBA Most Improved Player (2025)
• NBA All-Defensive First Team (2025)
• NBA Steals Leader (2025)
• NBA Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month (March 2025)
• Rising Stars Challenge Participant (2023, 2024)

Personal Life

Dyson Daniels maintains a close relationship with his family, who frequently travel from Bendigo to support him. His younger brother, Dash Daniels, is also a rising prospect who debuted for Melbourne United in 2025. Outside of basketball, Dyson is known for his calm demeanor and focus on community work both in Atlanta and back home in regional Victoria.