Draft

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dyson Daniels one-on-one interview with WGNO newscaster Peyton Trist.

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Pelicans guard Dyson Daniels one-on-one interview 7/8/22

New Orleans Pelicans forward E.J. Liddell one-on-one interview with WGNO newscaster Peyton Trist.

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Pelicans forward E.J. Liddell one-on-one interview 7/8/22

Follow Pelicans rookies Dyson Daniels and E.J. Liddell around through several Day 1 events after their arrival in New Orleans.

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Recap: Day 1 in New Orleans with Dyson Daniels and E.J. Liddell

New Orleans Pelicans 2022 draft picks Dyson Daniels and E.J. Liddell are welcomed to the team at their introductory press conference on Thursday, June 30, 2022.

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Dyson Daniels and E.J. Liddell introductory press conference

By Anthony Mikos, Pelicans.comThe NBA has been growing its development programs in order to prepare top talent for the rigors of the league. From the expanding G League to the growth of academies overseas, players are given the opportunity to train and compete at the highest levels.

In the 2022 NBA Draft, the New Orleans Pelicans selected guard Dyson Daniels with the eighth overall pick. Daniels was a product out of the NBA Global Academy based in Canberra, Australia, but spent the past year playing for NBA G League’s Ignite, coached by Jason Hart.

Hart is a nine-year NBA veteran and he has aided in developing Daniels into a top 10 pick. Hart spoke Wednesday on a conference call with media about the impact of overseas development programs.

“I know that they spend a little more time in the gym honing their fundamental skills and that’s kind of what we try to make our program here at the Ignite,” Hart said. “We try and teach these young guys fundamentals because, when your athleticism leaves, that’s what you are going to be able to rely on.”

Not only do these academies focus on the fundamental component of their game, but also prepare players to understand all aspects of what is demanded at an NBA level.

“Dyson came with a lot of know-how in understanding the game. He understands basketball concepts, teammates and how to work,” Hart said about the 6-foot-8, 199-pound native of Bendigo, Australia. “Those things carry a long way being that he is so young and when he steps into an NBA locker room, he’ll be mentally ready.”

Coming from the academy to join the G League Ignite in California might have been a taunting transition, but Daniels seemed to fit right in.

“One thing about basketball is that it’s universal,” Hart said. “If you can play and I can play then we are going to get along just fine. It was the age that brought all those guys together.”

Hart stressed the fact that no matter the differences in their upbringings, his players were able to mesh and understand each other. “They were all 18, listen to the same music, play the same video games and have the same interests mentally,” he said, “so they all fit in really well.”

The game that Daniels was accustomed to emulated the style of play that Hart was trying to implement in San Francisco.

“Dyson went to an academy that was similar to how we run our program. Wake up every morning, lift weights, work a game, take a nap and come back to the gym,” Hart said. “We just stayed on that same path and he fit in really well because his teammates were on the same trajectory.”

This model consistently produces top talent, such as Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga.

“They already understand NBA terminology, that’s huge,” Hart said. “When an NBA coach starts implementing his game plans and strategies, our players will understand and know how the game is to be played.”

Hart detailed how important is it for players’ mind-set to be ready when they step into an NBA locker room.

“They understand that it takes a lot of effort, hard work and dedication to maintain in the NBA,” he said. “Those were some of the things that they were taught daily and they understand that it’s an honor and privilege to be in the NBA.”

This mind-set was rooted within the 19-year-old Daniels from an early age and Hart took quick notice. “Dyson was sent away when he was 15 years old to be a part of the academy,” Hart said. “He understood how to work and that every day was going to be a grind that you have to mentally prepare for.”

With the success of the G League Ignite program, it comes as no surprise that this is a path many players explore. “The program and support system that we gave these guys, it wasn’t just me but a whole team effort,” Hart said. “I was proud of everybody involved and just looking forward to seeing their success.”

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Jason Hart confident Dyson Daniels is mentally ready for the NBA

To gain more insight on New Orleans lottery pick Dyson Daniels, Pelicans.com caught up with Dakota Schmidt, who has been writing about the G League since 2012. Schmidt started TrueHoop’s “D League Digest” and moved to the popular site Ridiculous Upside in 2013. This year Schmidt started the “Call-Up,” a newsletter dedicated to the G League and the world of basketball as a whole. The newsletter has an emphasis on player film breakdowns and features recent interviews with G League coaches and executives.

Pelicans.com: Dyson Daniels seemed to be a name casual basketball fans probably didn’t hear much throughout the G League season, but then as the draft approached, he was commonly projected as a lottery pick. What was your reaction to him being selected at No. 8 overall by New Orleans?

Schmidt: I was really excited when I saw it. Been a fan of Dyson’s game dating back to when I first watched his film from the 2021 Australian U-20 tournament and NBL1 (Australia’s equivalent to the G League). His mix of height, passing acumen, ability to use his frame on defense, and smarts as an off-ball player are what intrigued me. Seeing his development as a prospect during his run with the Ignite, and subsequent rise to being a lottery pick were amazing to watch.

Pelicans.com: Pelicans GM Trajan Langdon noted after Thursday’s draft that New Orleans saw a major jump in performance by Daniels over the course of the 2021-22 season. What were some of the areas he showed the most progress between the fall and spring?

Schmidt: It's most definitely his shooting. When it comes to his work from beyond the arc, his 3-point percentage grew from 26% on 51 total attempts during the league's Showcase Cup run from November to December. That percentage improved to 35% from deep on 49 total attempts during the G League Ignite Tour that ran from January to March. Along with the steady growth in that percentage, Daniels’ development as a shooter was seen by how he became more comfortable with taking his own off-the-dribble shots as his footwork was more fluid than it was in November and December. The growth that he showed during his run with the Ignite makes me excited about his fit with the Pelicans, who have Fred Vinson on staff. Honestly, Fred stands alongside San Antonio’s Chip Engelland as one of the best shooting coaches in the world of basketball.

Pelicans.com: ESPN analyst Jay Bilas mentioned during the draft that one of the most impressive aspects of Daniels’ game is his prowess at the defensive end (he called it “defensive chops”). What did Daniels show on defense that made him rocket up draft boards? How do you think it will translate to the NBA?

Schmidt: I definitely think that it wouldn't be too long until Dyson is capable of depending anywhere from shooting guards to power forwards. That’s due to how comfortable the 19-year-old already is with utilizing his 6-7, 200-pound frame and 6-10 wingspan to stay in front of players on the perimeter and prevent them from getting easy drives or shots from deep. One area that he’ll need to grow at is being more comfortable with using his frame and get in front of drivers to get verticality. That would boost his defensive potential more as the use of verticality hinders the look that the offensive player has from around the rim.

Pelicans.com: Daniels is considered a developmental player offensively. What are areas offensively he might be able to help the Pelicans as a rookie, along with aspects he must improve?

Schmidt: In terms of areas where he can help the Pelicans, Dyson is really fantastic at facilitating within the flow of an offense. What I mean by that is that he’s able to quickly process his surroundings and find open shooters or cutters. With offensive weapons like McCollum, Ingram, and potentially Zion Williamson working alongside him, that skill could really benefit the Pels if he’s working in the first unit.

In terms of growth areas, working with Coach Vinson to continue to improve that jumper should be priority No. 1. Also, Dyson tended to lose control of the ball when he was heavily guarded or had to fight through weird angles.

Pelicans.com: What’s one thing fans might be surprised to know about Daniels?

Schmidt: Before he became one of the top Australian hoops prospects, Dyson was a talented Aussie Rules football player. Back in 2015 when he was only 12, he had already won some awards in the world of junior Aussie Rules football and was playing on a U14 squad. But fortunately for Pelicans fans, he decided to follow in his dad’s footsteps by focusing on basketball.

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Dyson Daniels Q&A with Dakota Schmidt

Get hype for the newest Pelicans draft picks following the 2022 NBA Draft!

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HYPE: New Orleans Pelicans' 2022 NBA Draft

New Orleans Pelicans forward Larry Nance Jr. sits down with Daniel Sallerson to talk about his NBA draft journey and give advice to future draft picks.

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Larry Nance Jr. Q&A at the Pelicans Draft Party | 2022 NBA Draft

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