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Perth Now
4 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Aussie NBA star inspires next crop at Perth clinic
Fresh off a record-breaking defensive season, Aussie NBA star Dyson Daniels treated hundreds of local kids in Wanneroo to a day they'll never forget last Saturday. Daniels spent nearly six hours at Ace Ballerz, the family-run indoor basketball centre in Wanneroo, running multiple clinics with kids aged seven to 18, shooting hoops and holding a special Q&A session. Nicknamed 'The Great Barrier Thief' for his defensive prowess, the Atlanta Hawks guard and Australian Olympian passed on techniques, encouragement and plenty of advice about discipline and mindset to the kids for both on and off the court. The event was the biggest day yet for Ace Ballerz, founded just eight months ago by local mother Alaina Habaybeh at the site of the old Drovers Marketplace. Habaybeh said she initially thought it was a hoax when she first received the invitation to host Daniels but the event exceeded all her expectations. NBA star Dyson Daniels held a basketball clinic for kids at Ace Ballerz in Wanneroo. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper / The Sunday Times 'I thought it was just someone trying to money-grab a mum of two kids, and it was some sort of AI, bot email,' she said. 'So I, at first, ignored it and then I got a follow-up email but it was personalised, and a random call on a Saturday. 'I knew from the beginning that I was out of my league organising the day but everything went according to plan. He was amazing.' Daniels, who is only 22-years-old and comes from Bendigo in Victoria, took the NBA by storm last season, becoming the first Australian crowned Most Improved Player. He became the youngest player ever to record more than 200 steals in an NBA season, surpassing the legendary Magic Johnson by 236 days. Dyson Daniels teaching participants at Ace some skills. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper / The Sunday Times Daniels' 202 steals during the 2024–25 season were the highest by any NBA player in the last 15 years; he also topped the league with 366 deflections and finished second in the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year voting. Despite his impressive achievements at such a young age, Habaybeh said she was struck by how humble and easygoing the star was. 'He just was like a normal Australian kid from Wanneroo,' she said. 'He didn't speak down to anyone. I can't explain to you how natural, friendly and casual his energy was. 'He made the day relaxed, wasn't high maintenance and really took time to connect with all the kids and answer their questions and make them feel valued.' Dyson daniels with Isaac Elkhatib (9), Jass Habaybeh (co-owner), Jay Geel (9), Mitch Lozey (10), Shay Page (12), Zakkai Habaybeh (co-owner), Eli Gonzalez (12) and Alaina Habaybeh (co-owner) at the centre. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper / The Sunday Times Speaking on the day, Daniels said he felt very welcomed at Ace and had a fantastic day with everyone who was at the event. 'It was great being here in Perth for the camp. The chance to try and help young players in the way I was helped at these camps, is something I enjoy doing,' he said. One key piece of advice Daniels shared with the kids was to put in the work during training so game day becomes the easy part, stressing the importance of preparation. He also spoke about the sacrifices his parents made and reminded the kids to always be thankful for their parents' support. But there was one message Habaybeh believes will truly stick with the young players. 'He said playing in the NBA is great, and while the money is phenomenal and the spotlight is cool, there's something different about playing for your country,' she said. 'If he had to choose one, he said it would be to represent Australia, hands down. 'I think hearing that from Dyson hits differently for the kids rather than hearing it from a teacher or a coach. It really resonated with them.' Dyson Daniels playing for the Atlanta Hawks during the second half of the quarterfinal game of the Emirates NBA Cup at Madison Square Garden on December 11, 2024. Credit: Elsa / Getty Images Jeff Van Groningen, former general manager of multiple NBL teams and now camp and event manager for Dyson Daniels, helped facilitate the visit. Van Groningen said the clinic was all about inspiring kids to chase their dreams by starting with the fundamentals. 'We had a range of ages and abilities that showed up but the whole idea of the day was really to try to assist them and inspire them as they pursue their junior basketball careers,' Van Groningen said. 'You can't really turn a young player into a significantly different player in one day. But what you can do is give them some things to take home with them and then put that to use, and then their work will determine the rest. 'We want to give them some things that they can take with them and then put that to use themselves.' Dyson Daniels taking questions from the young basketball players. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper / The Sunday Times Van Groningen said the whole day and the hospitality were terrific, and the team felt humbled to be at Ace, especially given that Daniels isn't far removed in age from the kids. 'It wasn't all that long ago that he was in their place and at basketball clinics where others were inspiring him; those things all contributed to his journey,' he said. 'It's important for him to give back, but it also comes naturally to him; it doesn't feel like an effort. It just feels like returning to where he was not all that long ago.' NBA star Dyson Daniels spent nearly six hours at Ace Ballerz in Wanneroo, running two clinics.. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper / The Sunday Times Given the success of Daniels' visit, hopes are high that fellow Aussie NBA phenomenon Josh Giddey, from the Chicago Bulls, could be the next to come to Ace Ballerz. 'All of these things are possible down the line,' Van Groningen, who also works with Giddy's team, said. 'Depending on what next year's off-season looks like with the Boomers' commitments and other obligations these guys have, it really comes down to how much time they'll have in Australia.'
Perth Now
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
NBA star set to visit local Perth basketball court
One of the NBA's best defenders is set to make a special appearance in Perth's northern suburbs later this year. Dyson Daniels, the electrifying 22-year-old guard for the Atlanta Hawks who took the NBA by storm this past season, is set to hit the court and greet fans at Ace Ballerz in Wanneroo on Saturday, August 2. Born in Bendigo, Victoria, Daniels is one of the most exciting young Australian talents in the NBA, a rise that saw him crowned the 2024–25 NBA Most Improved Player — the first Australian to receive the award. Your local paper, whenever you want it. Nicknamed The Great Barrier Thief for his defensive skills, Daniels also recently became the youngest player ever to record more than 200 steals in an NBA season, surpassing the great Magic Johnson by 236 days. Daniels, widely considered to be one of the best defenders in the NBA, is set to be in Wanneroo in August. Credit: Supplied His 202 steals in the 2024–25 season were the most recorded by any NBA player in the past 15 years. He also led the league in deflections with 366 and finished as runner-up in the 2025 NBA Defensive Player of the Year voting. Daniels' visit to Ace Ballerz in Wanneroo, located at Drovers Marketplace on the corner of Wanneroo Road and Joondalup Drive, is sure to be warmly welcomed by the Perth basketball community. Ace Ballerz was founded by local mother Alaina Habaybeh, who was inspired to give back to the sporting community that supported her family during a recent illness. The family-run sports hub aims to provide kids and teens with a welcoming space to play, socialise, and connect with their community. Early bird tickets are expected to go on sale through Ace Ballerz in mid-June.
