The 2022 NBA Draft took place on Thursday with Dyson Daniels of Bendigo, Australia being taken eighth overall by the New Orleans Pelicans. Here are five fascinating tidbits about Australia’s new rising basketball star.
5) One of three players drafted from the G League.
Daniels was one of three players in the 2022 NBA Draft selected from the G League Ignite. The others were swingman MarJon Beauchamp of Yakima, Washington, who was taken 24th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks, and shooting guard Jaden Hardy of Detroit, Michigan, who was taken 37th by the Sacramento Kings. Hardy was later traded to the Dallas Mavericks.
4) Father played in NCAA and the SEABL
Dyson’s father Ricky played at North Carolina State before moving to Australia where he played with the Bendigo Braves. During his time with the Braves, Ricky Daniels won two SEABL Most Valuable Player Awards. Dyson Daniels went on to play for the Braves in 2019.
3) Lakers originally had the no.8 pick.
The Los Angeles Lakers originally had the eighth pick in the NBA Draft, but went to New Orleans from the three-way blockbuster deal that also involved the Washington Wizards. The blockbuster deal involved Lonzo Ball, Anthony Davis, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, Isaac Bonga, Jemerrio Jones and Moritz Wagner.
2) Pelicans ecstatic Trail Blazers took Shaedon Sharpe.
There was a belief that the Portland Trail Blazers would take Daniels with the seventh pick, however when they decided to go with the unproven Canadian Shaedon Sharpe instead, the Pelicans were overjoyed.
1) Brikitta Kool-Daniels generates fame herself.
Dyson Daniels was not the only Daniels family member who became famous on Thursday. Dyson’s mother Brikitta generated fame herself by wearing a white dress.
