Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns drives against Dyson Daniels #5 of the Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Ben Simmons continues to take notice of the rise in Australian basketball talent, and he’s especially encouraged by the progress of Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels.
Simmons recently committed to rejoining the Australian national team at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles following the hiring of Washington Wizards assistant coach Adam Caporn as head coach. He last played for Australia in 2013 at the FIBA Oceania Championship. His commitment underscores his investment in the program’s future and highlights the significance of his perspective on the next generation of Australian stars.
“They just continue to grow and impress me in terms of their IQ and how they affect the game in different ways,” Simmons told RG.
Giddey is averaging 13.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists during his first season with the Chicago Bulls, stepping into a more prominent role after his offseason move. Before a recent ankle injury, he had raised his game to new heights since the All-Star break, averaging 23.1 points, 10.9 rebounds and 8.4 assists over a nine-game stretch.
“Josh Giddey is a talented point guard, sets up his guys, scores the ball well,” Simmons added.
Giddey has also played a prominent role for Australia in its previous two major tournaments — the 2023 FIBA World Cup and the 2024 Olympics. At 6-foot-8, his passing skills jump off the page, but his developing scoring ability and continued focus on his jump shot add intrigue ahead of his next tournament with the Boomers, which could be the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar. During the Olympics, he averaged 17.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 6.0 assists while shooting 50% from the field and 47.4% from beyond the arc.
Daniels, meanwhile, saw his international role expand significantly in recent months. After not being in the regular rotation during the 2023 FIBA World Cup, he took on a larger role for Australia during the 2024 Olympics, averaging 26.8 minutes per game in Paris. He contributed 8.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per contest.
Daniels is also putting together a standout NBA campaign. He is averaging 13.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and a league-leading 3.0 steals per game. He also leads the NBA with 6.0 deflections per game and contributes 0.7 blocks per game — further evidence of his impact across multiple defensive categories.
Simmons offered a strong endorsement for Daniels as a leading candidate for NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
“Dyson's just been killing. He's been all over it — Defensive Player of the Year for me,” Simmons said. “It's hard not to give it to him. I think he's just everywhere. He has great hands, and he's really guarding everybody.”
Simmons’ praise carries weight given his own defensive résumé. A three-time NBA All-Star and two-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection, he also led the league in steals per game (2.1) during the 2019-20 season. His recognition of Daniels reflects the high standard he applies when evaluating defensive impact across the league.
Simmons is currently filling a versatile role for the LA Clippers after ending his tenure with the Brooklyn Nets earlier this season. He’s averaging 6.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in 19.7 minutes per game, while shooting 53.7% from the floor. At 6-foot-10, he brings a unique mix of defensive versatility and elite passing talent to the lineup.
“I have a lot of freedom,” Simmons explained. “The guys trust me to run the sets and get to the five, so it's a bit of both. So, it's been good.”
“I’ve known [Adam Caporn] for a while, I'm happy for him,” Simmons told RG. “He's a great coach and a great person. I'm looking forward to talking to him and getting connected — continue to build our relationship going into the next Olympics.”
With Giddey and Daniels emerging as core national team contributors, Simmons could soon join them on the international stage as part of an intriguing Boomers squad. Competing in the Olympics has long been a goal for him.
“That's what I've always wanted to play in the Olympics,” Simmons said. “If I'm healthy, and I'm good to go, then I'll definitely be there.”
If everything goes according to plan, Simmons could share the court with Giddey and Daniels when Australia takes the floor in Los Angeles. By then, both young guards will be further along in their professional careers, adding even more upside to a Boomers roster looking to reach new heights.
Olympic qualification must first be secured at the 2027 FIBA World Cup, where Australia must finish as the top team from the Oceania region, as they did in 2023. The Boomers' highest Olympic achievement to date remains their bronze medal earned under the leadership of Patty Mills and Joe Ingles at the Tokyo Games, played in 2021.
Grant Afseth
