'A Star is Born': Hawk Dyson Daniels soars in 2025

• Australian Dyson Daniels won the NBA's Most Improved Player Award
• Daniels was a finalist in the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year Award
• Daniels averaged 3.0 steals per game, the most in a generation of NBA players

Australian Boomers guard Dyson Daniels transformed into a crucial component of the Atlanta Hawks' rotation during the 2024-25 season, winning the NBA's Most Improved Player Award and essentially snubbed for the Defensive Player of the Year.

Standing at 201cm and weighing 90kg, the 22-year-old guard quickly established himself as one of the league's premier perimeter defenders while steadily developing his offensive game. After being selected eighth overall in the 2022 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans, Daniels was traded to the Atlanta Hawks where flourished in his third professional season.

The NBA Global Academy graduate exceeded all expectations, starting all 76 games he appeared in for the Hawks in the regular season.

Key Details

Name: Dyson James Daniels
Age: 21
Team: Atlanta Hawks
Position: Shooting guard
Size: 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight: 199 lb (90 kg)
Contract: Two years remaining; 2025-26 worth $7.7M; and restricted free agent in 2026-27

Statistical Breakdown: The Complete Player

Daniels' statistical profile reveals a multifaceted player whose impact extends far beyond traditional scoring numbers:

• Per Game Averages: 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and an outstanding 3.0 steals
• Shooting Efficiency: 49.3% from the field, 34.0% from three-point range
• Defensive Prowess: Ranked among the league leaders in steals throughout the season
• Minutes: Averaged 33.8 minutes per game, demonstrating his value and durability

What makes these numbers impressive is the consistency with which he contributed across multiple statistical categories. Rather than excelling in just one aspect of the game, Daniels demonstrated the ability to impact games in numerous ways.

Defensive Excellence: The Steals Specialist

The most striking element of Daniels' game was his defensive prowess. His 3.0 steals per game placed him among the elite ball-hawks in the history of the NBA.

This wasn't merely a result of gambling for steals — Daniels combined intelligent positioning, quick hands, and outstanding anticipation to disrupt opposing offenses without compromising his team's defensive structure.

His defensive highlights from the season include:

• An season-high eight-steal performance on December 23rd against the Minnesota Timberwolves
• Seven steals against the Detroit Pistons on November 8th
• Six steals in four different games, including against the Washington Wizards on November 15th
• 28 games with three or more steals

This defensive consistency earned Daniels consideration for the All-Defensive Team and won him Most Improved Player honours, recognising his leap from role player to essential starter.

Dyson Daniels made the case for NBA Defensive Player of the Year

• He had the most steals in the 21st century with 229
• He had the most steals since Gary "The Glove" Payton (231) in 1995-96.
• He was the 36th player in NBA history to have 200+ steals in a season.
• ‍He is the youngest player in NBA history to have more than 200 steals in a season. The next youngest ... Magic Johnson in 1981-82.
• He had the most steals in an NBA season by and Australian.
• He had eight steals against Minnesota on Christmas Eve, 2024.
• He had 15 games this season with five or more steals. The next closest was four.
• He ranked 12th in NBA history for most six-steal games in a single season with seven.
• He had seven steals in a game three times.

Offensive Development: Beyond the Numbers

While his defensive abilities have drawn the most attention, Daniels' offensive game showed significant growth throughout the 2024-25 campaign. His scoring average of 14.1 points represented an improvement from previous seasons, but the manner in which he scored revealed a player expanding his offensive repertoire.

Daniels displayed efficiency when attacking the basket, converting at a high percentage around the rim. His mid-range game also became more reliable, allowing him to punish defenders who played too far off him. While his three-point percentage of 34.0% indicates room for growth, he showed increasing confidence from beyond the arc, attempting 3.1 threes per game.

Notable offensive performances included:

• A season-high 28 points against the Boston Celtics on November 12th
• 25 points against the Washington Wizards on November 15th
• 25 points against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 10th
• 24 points against the Detroit Pistons on February 23rd

What's particularly encouraging is Daniels' shot selection. His high field goal percentage of 49.3% demonstrates a player who understands his strengths and rarely forces low-percentage attempts.

Playmaking and Court Vision

Beyond scoring, Daniels established himself as a secondary playmaker for the Hawks. Averaging 4.4 assists per game, he demonstrated excellent court vision and the ability to create opportunities for teammates. His ball-handling improved noticeably, allowing him to initiate offense in transition and navigate pick-and-roll situations with increasing comfort.

His best playmaking performances included:

• 10 assists against the Houston Rockets on March 25th
• Nine assists against the Brooklyn Nets on April 10th
• Nine assists against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 10th
• Eight assists against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 11th

This development as a facilitator adds another dimension to Daniels' game, making him more than just a defensive specialist who can occasionally score.

Rebounding: Size Advantage at Guard Position

Standing at 201cm, Daniels' height gives him an advantage over many NBA guards, which he leveraged effectively on the glass. Averaging 5.9 rebounds per game, including 1.6 offensive rebounds, he consistently created second-chance opportunities for his team.

His most dominant rebounding performances included:

• 11 rebounds against the Orlando Magic on February 20th
• 11 rebounds against the Golden State Warriors on March 22nd
• 10 rebounds against four different opponents, including elite rebounding teams such as the Milwaukee Bucks

This rebounding ability from the guard position provides the Hawks with added versatility and contributes to their transition offense, as Daniels often grabbed defensive rebounds and immediately pushed the pace.

Signature Performances: Making His Mark

Throughout the season, Daniels delivered several standout performances that showcased his all-around abilities:

November 12th vs. Boston Celtics (W)

• 28 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, 6 steals
• 12-from-21 from the field, including perfect defense against Boston's premier guards

March 25th vs. Houston Rockets (L)

• 19 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, 4 steals
• Demonstrated complete offensive control despite the team loss

March 30th vs. Milwaukee Bucks (W)

• 22 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals
• Dominated both ends of the floor against a championship contender

April 11th vs. Philadelphia 76ers (W)

• 8 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks
• Showcased his all-around impact despite a lower scoring output

These performances highlight Daniels' versatility and ability to impact games in multiple ways, a rare quality for a player in just his third NBA season.

Consistency and Reliability

Perhaps most impressive about Daniels' season was his consistency. He started all 76 games he appeared in, demonstrating both durability and the coaching staff's trust in his abilities. Unlike many young players who experience significant performance swings, Daniels maintained a relatively stable production level throughout the season.

His monthly scoring averages show remarkable consistency:

• October/November: 13.4 points per game
• December: 12.1 points per game
• January: 14.8 points per game
• February: 14.1 points per game
• March: 16.2 points per game
• April: 14.6 points per game

This consistency extended to his defensive contributions as well, with Daniels recording at least one steal in 73 of his 76 games played.

Areas for Improvement

Despite his outstanding season, Daniels still has areas where development could elevate his game further:

Three-Point Shooting: While his 34.0% from beyond the arc is respectable, improving his long-range accuracy would force defenders to guard him more closely, creating additional driving lanes.

Free Throw Efficiency: Converting at 59.3% from the charity stripe represents his most obvious weakness, significantly below league average for guards.

Turnover Management: Averaging 2.0 turnovers against 4.4 assists isn't a poor ratio, but reducing mistakes would further enhance his value as a secondary ball-handler.

Impact on Team Success

The Hawks experienced ups and downs throughout the 2024-25 season, but Daniels' emergence as a two-way force provided the team with a consistent bright spot. His defensive presence allowed head coach to design schemes around his ability to disrupt opposing perimeter players, while his developing offensive game meant opponents could no longer ignore him when game-planning.

Future Outlook: Star in the Making?

With Daniels under contract with the Hawks through the 2025-26 season (when he'll become a restricted free agent), the franchise has a valuable young piece to build around. At just 22 years old, his ceiling remains tantalisingly high, particularly if his offensive game continues to develop at its current pace.

The most exciting aspect of Daniels' game is how complete it already appears. Unlike many young players who excel in one area while developing others, he contributes across multiple statistical categories and on both ends of the floor. This versatility makes him an ideal complementary piece in today's position-less NBA, capable of sliding between multiple roles depending on matchups and team needs.

If his three-point shooting improves to around 37-38% and his playmaking continues to develop, Daniels could evolve from defensive specialist to legitimate All-Star candidate in the coming seasons.

A Star on the Rise

The 2024-25 NBA season marked Dyson Daniels' arrival as a legitimate NBA starter with star potential. His combination of elite perimeter defense, improved scoring, playmaking ability, and basketball IQ created a package rarely seen in players his age.

With his complete skill set and room for further growth, Daniels has positioned himself not just as a valuable role player, but potentially as a future cornerstone for the Atlanta Hawks and a player who could join the upper echelon of Australian NBA talent in the years to come not to mention the Australian Boomers heading into the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.