DYSON Daniels\u2019 dream came true last Friday as he was selected to play in the NBA with the eighth pick in the 2022 Draft.<\/p>\n
Daniels will line-up for the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2022-23 NBA season beginning in October.<\/p>\n
Impressing with his defensive ability in the G-League last season, Daniels joins Zion Williamson at the Pelicans, a side that made this year\u2019s post season.<\/p>\n
“Joining this team, I can help them do better in the playoffs,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m a winner, I hate losing so I’ll do whatever they need and I can definitely step into some roles and contribute straight away.<\/p>\n
“I am just so happy… to be a Pelican, there’s no better place. I can’t wait to get to work. This is crazy.”<\/p>\n
At Bendigo Stadium, the local basketball community gathered to watch the Draft, erupting into cheers when they heard NBA commissioner Adam Silver read out the local player\u2019s name.<\/p>\n
Junior coach Ben McCauley, who oversaw Daniels\u2019 development from under-12s to under-18s, said he was knew the shooting guard was destined for greatness when he saw him play for the first time.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I was lucky enough to coach him, he just wanted to learn, he was happy to take all feedback good or bad and just become a better basketballer,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDyson was special from under 12s, he could play. He could read the game and he always worked hard. He could score, he could play D.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s exciting seeing a kid from Bendigo make it in the NBA and I think the Pelicans have 100 to 120,000 extra supporters now.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the Draft held at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, New York, Daniels was joined by his dad and Bendigo Braves legend Ricky Daniels, mum Brikitta Kool-Daniels and brothers Kai and Dash at the event.<\/p>\n
The inside of Daniels\u2019 jacket featured a map of Victoria with Bendigo embroidered across it, as well as a tribute to his family.<\/p>\n
Family friend Ben Harvey said it was special moment to see a kid from Bendigo make it to the NBA.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no doubt he\u2019s going to a great club where he\u2019s going to play, sometimes you get drafted and there might be some players in front of you,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Harvey said he\u2019s already thought about recruiting Daniels to run some clinics in the NBA offseason next May.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s so humble he\u2019s done that anyway,\u201d he said. \u201cHe won\u2019t change, he\u2019s a good kid, it\u2019s just his life\u2019s changed a little bit financially. Dreams come true, he\u2019s worked his butt off, and we couldn\u2019t be prouder of him.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n