Bendigo Blitz: Hometown talent set for breakout season

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New colours, new team and getting it all started in his hometown for the NBL Blitz.

NBL27 couldn't have a better start for Bendigo product Dash Daniels, who is set for a breakout season after switching teams, according to NBL legend Jason Cadee.

The Next Star struggled for consistent time and production with Melbourne United as a rookie, leading to Daniels and the franchise deciding on a mutual parting of ways and for the 18-year-old to switch to crosstown rivals the South East Melbourne Phoenix to play under Josh King.

As Daniels and the Phoenix prepare to headline night one of the pre-season tournament at Bendigo's Red Energy Arena, Cadee said he believed South East Melbourne's style of play was the best fit for the defensive-minded guard.

"I think the way South East play will suit him," Cadee said on the Cut to the Jase podcast.

"They want to get up and down, they want to full court pressure.

"I think Dash still has a long way to go to develop into whatever the finished product is, but I think that a bit more confidence (will do him the world of good).

"Ultimately, he needs to find more confidence offensively. If he can do that, and we've seen how he played in the first game against United in the preseason, if he can do that, I think we'll see a way better version."

As Cadee said, if the Phoenix's pre-season game against United, where he went at NBA veteran Joe Ingles and answered back some sideline talk from Cole Anthony with back-to-back triples, we are in for a different Dash in NBL27.

Daniels averaged 4.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.9 assists in his rookie season with Melbourne and will be looking to have a major impact for South East Melbourne as they try and take a step forward after pushing the Adelaide 36ers to a deciding game three in last season's semi-finals series.

But for pundits expecting Daniels to be as far advanced as his brother, Dyson, was at 18-years-old is unrealistic, according to Cadee.

At 18, Dyson was with the G League Unite program before eventually being drafted with the eighth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Cadee said coaches, fans and everyone around the league needed to let Dash develop at his own pace.

"I think there was a lot of expectation (in his rookie season), probably unwarranted," he said on the basketball.com.au podcast.

"I think people forget how good his brother is. To just expect Dash to be as good as what Dyson is, is not fair on him. I think he's had a year and he's now got a change of environment."

Daniels and the Phoenix take on the Sydney Kings tonight at 8pm, following the 5.30pm game between the Cairns Taipans and Perth Wildcats.