Australia's ‘Great Barrier Thief' makes history with major NBA award
Bendigo-raised basketballer Dyson Daniels has become the first Australian to win an open NBA award after claiming the most improved award on Thursday.
Daniels, who was nicknamed the 'Great Barrier Thief' by US fans for his defensive prowess, earned 332 votes to beat the Los Angeles Clippers' Ivica Zubak on 186 and the Detroit Pistons' Cade Cunningham on 122.
The award, named the George Mikan Trophy, has previously been won by the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Tracy McGrady, Jimmy Butler and Kevin Love.
Ben Simmons won the rookie of the year award in 2017-2018 and was the first Australian to be named an All-Star, but Daniels' honour is the first time an Australian has won an award open to everyone in the NBA.
Daniels also came close to snatching the NBA defensive player of the year award when he finished second to Cleveland big man Eric Mobley.
The 22-year-old led the NBA in steals this season while making dramatic improvements in scoring, rebounds and assists. 'You've got to separate yourself somehow and I've done that on the defensive end of the floor,' Daniels said.
He arrived in Atlanta as part of the trade that sent high-scoring guard Dejounte Murray to New Orleans last year. Daniels has flourished at the Hawks as a scoring complement to Trae Young.
Daniels led the NBA with 229 steals, the most since Seattle's Gary Payton had 231 in the 1995-96 season.
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