NBA mentorship fuels Daniels’ Draft dream

This off-season looms as the most significant of NBL Next Star Dash Daniels’ exciting young career.

His move from Melbourne United to the South East Melbourne Phoenix could prove pivotal in strengthening the young guard’s NBA Draft stocks ahead of a potential declaration in 2027.

The significance of the off-season isn’t lost on the 18-year-old, who has spent much of it abroad at the 2026 adidas Eurocamp and training in the US alongside NBA talent.

That includes his older brother, Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels, and 15-year NBA veteran Wes Matthews.

“The whole off-season I've pretty much been in Atlanta, staying at Dyson's house and training with Wes Matthews,” Daniels said in an interview with NBL Media.

“[It’s been] a lot of hard work, but I've enjoyed it as well.

“He [Matthews] has played 15 years in the League and been with multiple teams, so he's a veteran that has been there, done that.

“He was a similar player to how I play too, so it was good to learn off some things like that.

“I was asking a ton of questions, just like what's your day-to-day look like, [and] what do you do when you get into the gym?

“Kind of just any question I can ask and get information out of him is what I'm trying to get.”

Daniels isn’t just learning from NBA players either, regularly reflecting on his own game.

“The thing I take away [from my last 12 months] is how many ups and downs there are,” he said.

“You know, you got to be able to play through bad games and play through good games too.

“[It’s important to not] get too high, and don't get too low. You’ve got to be able to stay in the middle, and you know each game is a new game.

“That's what I'm trying to do this year, is just go out there with the same mentality every game and try and take it on.”

Daniels is joined by Nathan Sobey, Angus Glover, Jordan Hunter, Tanner Krebs, Akech Aliir, Ellis Biggar, Daniel Foster, Patrick Ryan, Hunter Goodrick and newly signed import D'Shawn Schwartz on Josh King’s roster for the Hungry Jack’s NBL27 Season.