As the internationally active Atlanta Hawks emerge from the All-Star break vying for the final play-in tournament spot in the Eastern Conference, Dyson Daniels is focused on making noise in the NBA postseason. The cliché of one day at a time is truly the mantra of this locker room, although the time zones of their home calls vary wildly. However, although the 22-year-old is enjoying every moment of the trip, Daniels is already planning an unforgettable summer supporting Australia's Socceroos at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
"I'm not that interested in football, but I'll go to the World Cup," Dyson admitted to ClutchPoints. "It would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I'd go to see a game in Atlanta. I'd go to see Australia play the USA in Seattle. That atmosphere feels great."
Atlanta will host the Round of 32, Round of 16 and semi-finals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, giving Daniels prime access to exclusive matchups right on his doorstep before reporting back to Hawks training camp. The key matchup for the Socceroos is a Group D clash against hosts United States on June 19 at Seattle's Lumen Field, one of the loudest and most passionate soccer venues in North America.
Hawks focus on hardwoods
For now, the focus is on the work at hand. Daniels is enjoying the best season of his career, averaging 11.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and an impressive 6.3 assists per game while also providing his signature lockdown defense. If the Hawks can navigate the play-in gauntlet and secure a playoff berth, the summer vacation will be well-earned. Thankfully, locker room bonding is made easier because the roster reads like a United Nations roll call.
“When you have a lot of Europeans, a lot of international guys on your team, I think we have eight or nine on this (Hawks) team, so we're just trying to play as an under (Quinn Snyder),” Daniels shared. "We've all had different experiences, different backgrounds. Everyone has their own story. We've come in different circumstances. We're enjoying this journey together."
“Basketball is good this way,” Daniels said. "It brings us all together, brings people together from all over the world so see things, get perspective. (Nickle Alexander-Walker), (C.J. McCallum), and I had similar experiences in New Orleans, which we've talked about, and then a lot of international guys have had similar experiences as well. That's helped us."
That same sense of basketball as a connector gets Daniels excited about the NBA's growing global footprint. He has watched the NBA's foray into international markets with particular interest, both as a global ambassador for the game and as an Australian who knows first-hand what it means for a country to feel connected to the league.
"Yeah, I think it's really cool. Basketball is a worldwide game. It was great for Europeans to get the experience of (NBA regular season) games," Dyson explained. “They've got a growing culture there, so the NBA games really help.”
While his former team, the New Orleans Pelicans, visited Australia for preseason games, Daniels hopes the Land Down Under will soon get the same treatment in Europe.
Daniels suggested, "Europe got regular season games. Australia got preseason games, but hopefully the NBA will get some regular season games there soon." "Some teams are starting their seasons overseas, partnering up with international teams. Getting the experience of those regular season games (in other countries) really means something. It's special."
It's a fitting summer for a player who has embraced what makes the modern NBA so appealing. Whether the postseason trip ends in the NBA Play-In Tournament or a few weeks later, Dyson Daniels plans to ride the wave of momentum. With the leadership of Alexander-Walker, Daniels, Asa Newell and Jalen Johnson, the Hawks finally have something 'special' in the South that can compete for a conference finals appearance next season.
