Offensive Game
Developing scorer with improving handle and shot creation. Three-point shooting is a work in progress but his athleticism creates finishing opportunities in transition.
Career Journey
New Orleans Pelicans
2022-2024
Atlanta Hawks
2024-present
2024-25 Most Improved Player & All-Defensive First Team
In his first Atlanta season he won Most Improved Player, made All-Defensive First Team, and finished runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year.
Led the NBA in steals (2024-25)
Averaged roughly 3.0 steals per game to pace the league — the calling card of 'The Great Barrier Thief.'
Acquired in the Dejounte Murray trade (2024)
Came to the Hawks from New Orleans in the 2024 deal that sent Dejounte Murray to the Pelicans.
Moved to lead guard (2025-26)
With Trae Young traded to Washington, Daniels shifted to primary ball-handler as Atlanta's on-ball engine.
| Season | GP | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 76 | 11.9 | 6.8 | 5.9 | 51.7% | 18.8% |
Daniels arrived from Melbourne as a defense-first project and turned that reputation into hardware. After Atlanta acquired him in the 2024 Dejounte Murray trade, the Australian guard broke out in 2024-25: he led the NBA in steals, won Most Improved Player, made All-Defensive First Team and finished runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year. The nickname 'Great Barrier Thief' suits a player whose hands and anticipation break passing lanes most guards never see. In 2025-26, with Trae Young dealt to Washington, Atlanta handed Daniels the keys at point guard, testing whether his playmaking and jumper can catch up to his defense. The tell is his discipline — he gambles constantly yet rarely fouls, which is why all those deflections don't cost the Hawks at the other end.
Offensive Game
Developing scorer with improving handle and shot creation. Three-point shooting is a work in progress but his athleticism creates finishing opportunities in transition.
Defensive Game
Elite perimeter defender and one of the best in the NBA. His near-7-foot wingspan, anticipation, and relentless pressure make him a nightmare for opposing guards.
Intangibles
High-IQ player who understands defensive schemes at a level beyond his years. His steals and deflections reflect anticipation and preparation, not just athleticism.
Personal Life & Family
Status
Single
Parents & Siblings
Off the Court
Australian youth basketball development
NBA Basketball Without Borders Australia
Did You Know?
Dyson Daniels led the NBA in steals during the 2023-24 season — a remarkable feat for a player in just his second professional year, cementing his reputation as a generational defender.
His father Rod Daniels played professionally in Australia, making Dyson part of a basketball family with deep NBL roots.
His wingspan of nearly 7 feet on a 6-foot-7 frame gives him a physical profile nearly identical to elite NBA defenders — a genetic advantage he maximizes with relentless effort.
He was discovered through the NBL Next Stars pathway, an Australian initiative designed to develop elite prospects for the NBA Draft without requiring a college detour.
Career Honors
NBA Steals leader (2023-24)
NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2024)
Australian Boomers national team member
Official Jerseys
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Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
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