“So I’ll do what the team needs to help them win. I think I can definitely play some roles and contribute right away.”
He repeated his pre-draft statement that he can play a role for his team right away.
“I contribute in a lot of different ways, especially defensively, that’s where I like to take it,” Daniels said.
“I can defend various positions, protect the ball and even go down and protect the stick sometimes.
“With the ball in my hands I can play, play without the ball, be a cutter, bounce and things like that. I think my game is very versatile and I could fit into a lot of different lineups with the great players we have on this team. ”
Daniels grew up playing with and against his Australian compatriot Josh Giddey and can’t wait to face his NBA teammate.
Dyson Daniels is congratulated by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Credit: Getty Images
“It would be great to play against my son Josh Giddey. It would be great to play against LeBron James and Russell Westbrook, whom I idolized as a kid,” Daniels said.
“I’m very happy to be a Pelican and I can’t wait to get to work.”
Daniels was asked about her attractive silver dress and said she wanted to have fun on such a special day.
“This is a unique opportunity, the NBA draft, so I had to put something together, a little bit of brilliance,” Daniels said with a smile.
The NBL had another win for their Next Stars program with French striker Ousmane Dieng who was taken by the New York Knicks in the 11th pick before being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for some future picks. draft.
Dieng played for the New Zealand Breakers last Australian season. He follows LaMelo Ball, RJ Hampton and Giddey by being selected in the first round after being Next Star.
“I’ve heard of OKC. But I just want to play in the NBA regardless of where I play,” Dieng told the media.
The Orlando Magic selected Duke University striker Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 pick, and their decision came as a shock after striker Jabari Smith jnr of Auburn University reportedly had been the best choice of the Magic during the previous weeks.
The Oklahoma City Thunder selected Gonzaga University’s Chet Holmgren Center with the second selection, where they will join Giddey.
NBA Draft No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero on the right meets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected by the Orlando Magic. Credit: AP
Smith jnr was selected by the Houston Rockets with the third selection, and showed some relief to the selection after being used as bait by the Magic.
The Sacramento Kings caught guard Keegan Murray of the University of Iowa with the No. 4 pick. The Detroit Pistons added guard Jaden Ivey of Purdue University with the fifth pick. He is the son of former WNBA player and current Notre Dame female coach Niele Ivey.
Loading
The Indiana Pacers selected Haitian Canadian guard Bennedict Mathurin of the University of Arizona with the sixth selection, while the Portland Trail Blazers selected Canadian guard Shaedon Sharpe with the seventh selection.
Daniels’ selection makes it four consecutive years when the Australian Boomers players have been selected in the first round after Giddey (Oklahoma City Thunder 2021), Josh Green (Dallas Mavericks 2020) and Matisse Thybulle (Boston Celtics, then on loan). Philadelphia 76ers, 2019). .
News, results and analysis of sports weekend experts sent every Monday. Subscribe to our Sports newsletter.