With the No. 8 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, the New Orleans Pelicans selected G League Ignite guard Dyson Daniels.
Daniels chose the NBA's developmental program over the Australian-based National Basketball League and several colleges. He turned heads at last year's FIBA U19 World Cup, averaging 14 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.3 steals for the Boomers. One of Daniels' best performances of the tournament came against the United States when he registered 18 points, five boards, and four assists in a loss to the eventual gold medalist.
The 19-year-old continued to stuff the box score with the Ignite, posting 11.3 points, 6.2 boards, 4.4 assists, and 1.9 steals per contest across 14 appearances. Daniels' experience as a lead guard in a pro-style system over the past year should help ease his transition to the next level.
Bio
Position: Guard
Club: G League Ignite
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 195 lbs
Wingspan: 6-foot-11
Max vertical: 34 inches
Strengths
- Capable of playing on- or off-ball
- Excellent pick-and-roll passer
- Displays soft touch on floaters
- Has size, length, and lateral quickness to guard multiple positions
- Shows great defensive instincts; often positions himself one step ahead of his counterpart
- Elite rebounding skills provides more opportunities to initiate fast break
- Makes timely cuts to basket
Weaknesses
- Jump shot is work in progress; made only 25.5% of his triples last season
- Lacks explosive first step needed to blow by defenders
- Often has trouble creating own shot
- Needs to bulk up to withstand increased physicality of NBA
