Hometown behind injured Daniels

FRESHLY minted New Orleans Pelican, Dyson Daniels, has won his second monthly Bendigo Sports Star award, this time for June.

On Friday, 24 June, Daniels fulfilled his dream of being drafted to the NBA, selected at pick eight by the Pelicans.

He was Joined on stage at the Barclays Centre in New York by his dad and Bendigo Braves legend Ricky Daniels, his mum Brikitta Kool-Daniels, and brothers Kai and Dash, while the Bendigo basketball community watched on from their home stadium.

Since then, the 19-year-old rookie guard signed his first four-year contract worth just over $US25 million meaning he’ll earn just over $AU8 million in his first season.

The young gun’s career hit its first road bump however, with Daniels injuring his ankle in the second quarter of the Pelicans’ Summer League match against Portland.

He was helped off the court by his teammates, finishing on one point, two assists, one steal and one free throw made in just over eight minutes of game time.

According to Pelicans media, the time on the bench has proved beneficial for Daniels, who has been soaking in knowledge and developing chemistry with locker room leaders.

Daniels missed the remained of Summer League and with the NBA season commencing on 18 October, it is unclear when the hometown star will return to the court.