HIS YOUNGER brother might be earning $US6 million a year in the NBA, but Kai Daniels’ sporting aspirations for 2025 are a little more modest.
Bendigo-born Daniels, 24, has signed with Pyramid Hill in the Loddon Valley league in a major coup for the Bulldogs.
The only potential hiccup is that Daniels, who now lives in Melbourne, is training with Richmond’s VFL team, and his availability for Pyramid Hill will depend on whether he is offered a contract by the Tigers.
At 193cm and with a strong basketball background, Daniels is set for a ruck-forward role with the Bulldogs after a season with Golden Square in the Bendigo league. Coach Nathan Fitzpatrick said discussions with Daniels began well before Christmas.
Fitzpatrick had a head start in negotiations given that he coached Daniels in the Pyramid Hill under-18 premiership side in 2019.
He was named best afield in the grand final win.
“Kai has the capabilities to be a very good player,” Fitpatrick said. “He can play forward and in the ruck, so we’ll use him in a couple of different positions. He’s also good when the ball hits the ground.”
Daniels’ athletic ability makes him a potential standout in the Loddon Valley competition.
He spent two years in the US on a basketball scholarship after leaving secondary school in Bendigo, then played basketball in Western Australia before returning home and playing football for Golden Square. 
He appeared 18 times for Golden Square last season and was named in the best players on eight occasions.
Daniels’ younger brother Dyson plays with the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA after being drafted at No.8 in 2022 and represented Australia at the Paris Olympics.
At 17, the youngest Daniels brother will play basketball for Melbourne United this year and is eligible for the NBA draft in 2026, having appeared for Australia in under-age teams.
- GARY WALSH