THE MOST anticipated player to enter the 2025/26 NBL season as a Next Star, Dash Daniels is looking to cement his placing as a top 10 prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft class as he suits up for Melbourne United in the coming months.

The younger brother of NBA star and reigning Most Improved Player Dyson, the 17-year-old entered draft calculations with a familiar name, but is beginning to forge his own path as a potential draftee in the next 12 months.

Despite the collegiate path proving popular for highly touted prospects, Daniels opted to stay on home shores, joining United as a Next Star and will be playing under Dean Vickerman as he looks to build upon a strong junior career.

Dash Daniels – Melbourne United
Guard | 196cm | 77kg | 18/12/2007

Having been flagged as an exciting talent for the past few years, Daniels is getting the chance to ply his craft in a professional environment, and if he can translate his skills to the NBL, it will bode extremely well for his top 10 chances for the 2026 NBA intake.

The young guard was selected for the NBA Academy for Australia, and emerged as an excellent defensive prospect, much like his older brother. At the 2024 National Championships, Daniels was named tournament MVP, cementing his place as one of the brightest prospects on Australian shores.

Opportunities to represent his country at international level came shortly after, having recently won gold with the Australian Boomers at the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, and he showed his talent and class in glimpses despite being the youngest player on the roster.

Daniels has recently been suiting up for the Sandringham Sabres in the NBL1 South Men’s competition, and again played above his age and experience, as highlighted by multiple 20-point performances and showing just how much potential he has on the offensive end.

At six-foot-six, he brings plenty of height to the backcourt, and is highly regarded for his perimeter defence and versatility on that side of the ball. He can guard multiple positions and is capable of switching with no questions asked, often forcing turnovers with his lateral movement and constant quick hands.

One of the most exciting things about Daniels is that he is a more developed offensive player than his brother was at this stage in his career. The younger sibling certainly has more of a three-point shot (crucial in the modern game) and is better as a playmaker, contributing more with the ball in his hands offensively.

It is hard to pinpoint too many significant improvements he has to make over the next 12 months, having quelled concerns around his jumpshot throughout recent outings. His handle can be a bit loose at times and result in turnovers, so he will be looking to be a bit more careful on this front throughout his campaign in the NBL.

The premier Australian talent in the 2026 NBA Draft class, Daniels looks locked and loaded to follow in his brother’s footsteps as a top-10 selection, and playing on one of the most successful NBL teams of the modern era could instill some winning DNA in the guard’s game for years to come.