Dyson Daniels made history in his first season with the Atlanta Hawks, and he could do the same alongside Chicago Bulls star Josh Giddey when the two next suit up for the Australian Boomers.
The duo were both in attendance as the Boomers took on New Zealand in the Trans-Tasman Throwdown in Adelaide.
Giddey spoke about the state of their program, mentioning Daniels in the process.
“Dyson’s been on that awesome trajectory. But I think a future for Australian basketball is as good as it’s ever been, and you see it out here tonight. And with the guys in the NBA, guys we’ve got coming out of the MBL, younger guys in the NBA Academy – the AIS. So, the program’s in good hands. There’s a great, great young core coming through. And, hopefully, we can keep this program in good stand for the next 10, 15 years,’” Giddey said on May 7
The two modeled the team’s new uniforms just days before. The new look, among other changes, features more stylized lettering in the team name than their previous uniforms. For Daniels, putting on the Boomers’ jersey is an “honor.”
Giddey said that sense of pride is prevalent and was evident in the game on Wednesday.
“It’s exciting. And I think, irrespective of who’s playing for the Boomers, that it’s an absolute honor to wear this jersey. And, well, you can see with how hard the guys compete. And whether it's a Trans-Tasman game, Asia Cup qualifier, World Cup, Olympics, it means the exact same to all the players,” Giddey said.
“Obviously, the stakes are a little less high tonight than it is in Olympic games or a World Cup. But you still see the same way how hard these guys play in these type of games. So, it’s definitely an honor to wear the Jersey, and I know how much guys love it, and I can’t wait the next time I get to. I’d love to be out here playing tonight. But any chance you get to wear the green and gold, very special, and guys don’t take it for granted.”
Dyson Daniels first broke out on national stage
Daniels’ breakout with the Hawks came after a strong showing with the Boomers in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
His next opportunity to build on that will be stateside at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Australia finished sixth in those games, with Daniels posting 8.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game alongside Giddey and former Hawks guard Patty Mills and big man Jock Landale, who also had a cup of coffee with Atlanta.