The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has congratulated Dyson Daniels after he became the second player in as many years to be drafted from Basketball Australia’s NBA Global Academy at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).

Daniels followed in the footsteps of program alumni and 2021 Draftee Josh Giddey, when he was today selected by the New Orleans Pelicans with Pick No. 8 in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Founded in 2017, the NBA Global Academy at the AIS in Canberra is the only one of its kind worldwide and runs alongside the highly successful Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence.

While Daniels was in New York for the NBA Draft, his former teammates gathered at the AIS to see the 19-year from Bendigo realise his dream and get a glimpse of what their future could be.

Australian Sports Commission CEO Kieren Perkins OAM said he is proud of the role the AIS plays in nurturing Australia’s basketball stars.

“Dyson’s success today is a credit to Basketball Australia, the Centre of Excellence staff and everyone involved in the NBA Global Academy program at the AIS,” Perkins said.

“As it has for decades, the AIS continues to play a critical role in supporting Australian athletes to reach their potential.

“To have the NBA Global Academy here in Canberra is a huge benefit to both up-and-coming players from Australia and for young players from across the region.

“The results from the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence at the AIS speak for themselves. Over the past four decades, the program has consistently produced some of Australia’s greatest basketball talents, including Patty Mills, Andrew Bogut and Lauren Jackson.

“I’m very pleased to see Dyson’s name added to the list and on behalf of the ASC, I wish him all the best for this exciting new chapter of his career with the New Orleans Pelicans.”

The ASC’s support of Daniels began in 2015 when he received a grant through the ASC’s Local Sporting Champions program which provides financial assistance for coaches, officials and competitors aged 12-18 participating in state, national and international championships.

Up to 14 players attend the NBA Global Academy in Canberra each year, with the young athletes living at the AIS Residence of Champions in Canberra and working closely with elite sports science, sports medicine, conditioning, coaching and off-court support services available at the AIS.

NBA Global Academy Technical Director Marty Clarke said: “Dyson’s selection is a great reflection on the players and NBA Global Academy and Basketball Centre of Excellence programs.

“The environment that is created allows young players to develop in a holistic way and be ready for the rigors of the pro world.”