Daniels, the son of Bendigo Braves legend Ricky Daniels and brother of NBA‑and‑Boomers star Dyson Daniels, left Melbourne United after a single, spotty‑minute rookie season to chase greater opportunity with the cross‑town rivals.
The move, part of the league’s Next Star program, was accompanied by an intensive off‑season stint in Atlanta with NBA shooting coach Wes Matthews, a partnership Daniels says sharpened his rhythm, base and three‑point mechanics.
His early-season numbers reflect the work: a career‑high 24 points on 9‑of‑13 shooting, including two three‑pointers, and 12 rebounds in the Phoenix’s 100‑79 opening‑game win over the Perth Wildcats, followed by 11 points on 5‑of‑8 shooting in a narrow loss to the Jack Jumpers.
Daniels acknowledges the heightened scrutiny that comes with his family name and his own ambitions to join the NBA, noting that social‑media chatter “just goes over my head” but that he has learned to stay grounded and focus on each game.
In a recent warm‑up at the State Basketball Centre, United import Cole Anthony taunted Daniels from beyond the arc, prompting a brief shooting slump before Daniels hit two three‑pointers in the final quarter as the Phoenix rallied to win.
Phoenix coach Josh King wants Daniels to become a defensive “menace” and match up against United’s veterans, while Daniels’ manager Daniel Moldovan praised the player’s off‑season dedication and expects continued monthly improvement.
Scouts from up to eight NBA clubs attended the NBL Blitz, noting Daniels’ progress and placing him among the top‑40 prospects for next year’s draft, a status he reinforced by opting out of this year’s NBA draft to further develop his game.