Thief's brother out to forge own identity on NBA path

Perth Now

10 hours ago

NBA prospect Dash Daniels' most famous former backyard sparring partner has arguably one of the best nicknames in world sport.
And the younger of the siblings admits there are plenty of similarities in their game styles.
But the not-so-little brother of Atalanta Hawks star Dyson Daniels - dubbed 'The Great Barrier Thief' by teammates - is determined to forge his own identity as he gears up for a debut NBL season that is expected to propel him onto the global stage.
"That's something that I'm striving for, to be my own man," 198cm guard Dash Daniels told AAP.
"I'm my own player, I'll do what I want to do. He's my brother at the end of the day, but we're different people."
Dash will suit up for Melbourne United in 2025/26 as part of the Next Stars program - an increasingly successful NBL initiative that has launched a growing number of NBA careers.
The 17-year-old is a projected first-round draft prospect, set to follow in the footsteps of Dyson, who broke records as the NBA steals leader and most improved player in his breakout 2024/25 season.
Dash, who turns 18 in December, is bigger, stronger and longer than 22-year-old Dyson was at the same age and is widely regarded by scouts as having significant upside.
"We're pretty similar on the defensive side," Dash said.
"We like to get stops, stay in front and play in the lanes, but offensively we're a little bit more different.
"I play more on the ball and coming off screens, where he's a little bit more off-ball and cutting and that sort of thing."
Dash and Dyson, whose brother Kai played US college basketball, are sons of former Bendigo Braves SEABL star Ricky Daniels.
"Even though I'm only 17, I've been around the game for a long time," Dash said.
"To have my brother and my dad ever since I was younger in the backyard and stuff, it's been really helpful to have them."
Daniels looked past US college offers in a bid to prove himself against grown men in the NBL, joining perennial title contenders Melbourne under coach Dean Vickerman.
He is already familiar with the program, having spent time as part of the extended training squad at United's Hoop City facility in Sandringham.
Daniels hopes to join former Next Stars LaMelo Ball, Alexandre Sarr and Australian guard Josh Giddey, among others, in making the leap from the NBL to the NBA next year.
Rocco Zikarsky, Alex Toohey and Izan Alamansa are Next Stars who have nominated for next week's 2025 NBA Draft.
Melbourne have a strong track record of producing NBA players, with Jock Landale, Jack White, Luke Travers and Ariel Hukporti all playing under Vickerman before stepping up.
"I'm going to a program that's known for its success and over the last three or four years they've had a lot of guys go to the NBA," Daniels said.
"Guys like Josh Giddey and Alex Sarr are achieving great things in the NBA, as well.
"I'm not just trying to make it there - I'm trying to be a great player there."
Before then, Daniels has his sights set on a medal with the Australian Emus at the FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland, starting next week.
And he hopes to feature heavily as Melbourne - runners-up in the last two NBL championship series - attempt to claim their first title since 2021.
"Winning a championship is the main goal and I'm going to do whatever I can to help the team get there," he said.
"Just go out there with confidence and be myself."