Daniels returns home to pay it forward

BENDIGO Basketball product and New Orleans Pelicans star Dyson Daniels was back in town last weekend to run his first training camp for young players following his first NBA season.

Daniels was drafted by the Pelicans at pick eight of the 2022 draft out of the NBA’s development league dallying his start with the big club.

Eventually, he ended up playing 59 games for New Orleans and welcomed his return to Red Energy Arena.

“It’s surreal still, and it does feel like yesterday I was just out there, running around, playing juniors on these courts,” he said.

“Now I’m here, running camps with kids buying my jerseys, wanting autographs, photos and stuff like that, so it’s special.

“Every time I get to come back to Bendigo it sinks in because I’m barely ever here, and sometimes in the US you don’t get that kind of attention.

“Coming back here you just see all these kids they look up to you, it’s surreal, and it’s all come so fast so I’m really grateful for it.”

The 20-year-old said overall he was happy with his performance last season, though saw room for improvement for the next.

“It was good, ups and downs. I wasn’t happy with how I finished the season but I felt like I definitely grew through the season I just kind of come to a stunt towards the end,” he said.

“I was happy to come into summer league with a chip on my shoulder, knowing I could do more and that’s what I did, so went out there and showed the coach.”

At the end of the Bendigo clinic, the young participants took part in a question-and-answer session with the Daniels, and many of the queries had to do with how he got to where he is.

“It’s a long journey and once it becomes your job it’s hard,” he said.

“If you’re dedicated to the game, if you love the game, you’ll put the work in and you’ll become better.

“At the end of the day there’s only 450 spots in the NBA, so there’s not a spot for everyone, but if you give yourself the best shot then spots are elsewhere overseas.

“If you’re dedicated and you want to make it then you’ll put the work in.”

Daniels barely has time to rest this off-season, as he will be vying for a spot in the Australian national team with the Boomers to play at the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Japan in September.

“I feel like my body’s pretty worn out right now, so I’m going to use this next week to regenerate a little bit,” he said.