Rising basketball star Dyson Daniels is aware of it isn’t going to be straightforward if he desires to knock off a number of Boomers veterans for a coveted spot in Australia’s World Cup facet.
The 20-year-old established himself as a high quality defender, making 59 appearances and 11 begins in his rookie 12 months within the NBA with New Orleans.
The level guard is now trying to go additional with the nationwide facet at this 12 months’s Basketball World Cup.
“This was my dream as a kid was to play for the Boomers. So I’m one step closer now,” he stated.
“It’s going to be a competitive training camp because there’s a lot of great players in this camp and there’s only 12 spots.”
Three-time Olympian Matthew Dellavedova and NBA Oklahoma participant Josh Giddey loom as Daniels’ major rivals for a spot on the world No.3 group.
“You don’t expect anyone to take a backward step, because everyone’s competing for a spot,” Daniels stated.
“These guys have been in the team for a while now. And they’re the ones that have carried this legacy.
“They’re simply coming off a (bronze) medal on the Olympics so it is going to be robust to take their place.
“But I’m going to be out there doing my best, pushing them, playing my game, and just showing that I deserve to be on this team.”
An 18-man squad will head to Cairns for a coaching camp earlier than travelling to Melbourne for a warm-up event in opposition to top-20 sides Brazil, Venezuela and fast-improving South Sudan forward of the World Cup.
Boomers head coach Brian Goorjian praised the standard within the facet and signalled it is going to be a tricky tussle for spots.
“It’s pretty difficult, it’s pretty competitive in a lot of positions,” Goorjian stated.
“I don’t think we’ve got a team of this quality play at home for a long, long time.
“This could also be one of the best group of gamers ever assembled by Australia.”
But Daniels remains confident the lessons he’s learnt during his rookie year in the NBA will put him in good stead for team selection.
“The Boomers have constructed an excellent tradition – the legacy – and it is like an enormous household right here in Australia, however it is going to be all go on the ground making an attempt to earn my spot.”
Australia will face Finland, Germany and co-hosts Japan in Group E in event beginning on August 10 with the champion to be topped within the Philippines on September 10.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
