Australian guard Dyson Daniels has been drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans with the eighth pick in the NBA draft in New York on Friday (AEST).
The Bendigo-born-and-raised 19-year-old celebrated his selection with his parents Ricky and Brikitta and his brothers Kai and Dash, who were with him at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, New York.
Daniels is expected to join his new team in the coming days ahead of the NBA Summer League in early July.
The Orlando Magic selected forward Paolo Banchero from Duke University with the first pick in the draft, and their decision was a shock after forward Jabari Smith jnr from Auburn University had reportedly been the Magic’s top choice in the weeks leading in.
Oklahoma City Thunder selected centre Chet Holmgren from Gonzaga University with the second pick where he will join Australia’s Josh Giddey.
The Indiana Pacers selected Haitian-Canadian guard Bennedict Mathurin from University of Arizona with the sixth pick.
The Portland Trail Blazers selected Canadian guard Shaedon Sharpe with the seventh pick.
Daniels’ selection makes it four consecutive years when Australian Boomers players have been drafted in the first round following Giddey (Oklahoma City Thunder 2021), Josh Green (Dallas Mavericks 2020) and Matisse Thybulle (Boston Celtics, then traded to Philadelphia 76ers, 2019).
