Daniels ready for year two leap

Fresh off completing his first Hungry Jack’s NBL Season, Next Star Dash Daniels is closer than ever to achieving his NBA dream.

Although he’s committed to another campaign in NBL27, the 18-year-old guard knows how beneficial his first season was with Melbourne United.

During his rookie season with United, Daniels appeared in 35 matches, including making 11 starts for Dean Vickerman’s side.

“I started off signing my contract at 16 years [of age], and soon after that, I started playing at 17, which is still pretty young,” Daniels said on his Next Stars documentary episode.

“As a younger guy, you’re learning lots every single game, and it's been an unreal experience just being able to grow up and [compete] every day with those vets.

“CG (Chris Goulding), Shili (Shea Ili), Finn [Delany], and so many guys on my team have helped me every day, so it's been unreal.

“The thing that's helped me grow the most would be, I wouldn't say failures, but times where I can be better throughout the season.

“Just being able to learn from them, being able to watch film and [identify] things that I didn't do so well that game.

“Being able to learn from those [moments] is what’s helped me the most throughout the year.”

Just as he’s done every time he steps on the court during his career, Daniels has been out to prove himself. And now, as his second season in the NBL fast approaches, he will be carrying the same mentality.

“I'm trying to prove everything, in terms of what I can do on the court,” he said.

“But I’m aware these things take time and opportunities come and go, but I just need to stay ready.

“I can’t wait to prove to everyone that I really belong.”

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This approach, Daniels hopes, will help him achieve his hoops dream of following his brother Dyson’s footsteps to the NBA.

“Every day, I’m always thinking about it [the NBA],” he said.

“I want to get drafted, I wanna be in the NBA, I want to make an impact on whatever team it is that [selects me]. That’s been my dream since day one.”