If you’re an NBA 2K23 gamer, you’ll have noticed there is a new player on the Pelicans roster and he hails from my hometown Bendigo in Central Victoria.

Australian basketballer Dyson Daniels is the latest star to be drafted into the NBA. The 19 year old went at number 8 to the New Orleans Pelicans and has signed a four year contract rumoured to be around $US25M with $US5.5M earned in his rookie season for 2022-23.

Of course, behind every successful athlete is a parent (or two in this case). Proud mum Brikitta Kool-Daniels, with her husband Ricky Daniels, have helped Dyson realise his dream of playing in the NBA. 

Basketball talent runs in the family with eldest son Kai playing college basketball for Regis University and youngest son Dash recently named among Australia’s top 20 under 16 hoopers. 

All three boys have played representative basketball which translates into many hours spent training and traveling. That in itself sounds like a full time job but somehow Brikitta and Ricky have managed to successfully run Bendigo’s best gym, D-Club, for over 20 years. 

If you’d like to hear more about Brikitta’s business journey skip back to episode 5.

So what does it take for a kid in country Victoria to play ball on the biggest stage in the world?

In this exclusive interview, Brikitta shares with us her family's basketball journey and the whirlwind experience of the NBA draft. We talk about the media attention, the sacrifices, that big NBA contract, managing the expectations on younger son Dash, taking time out of the business, and going viral all thanks to a stunning white dress. Plus Brikitta shares with us an exclusive announcement in regards to Dyson.

Meet my very good friend Brikitta, mum of Australia’s newest NBA star.

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ABOUT OAK MAGAZINE

This episode was hosted by Kimberley Furness, founder + editor of OAK Magazine. OAK Magazine is a proudly independent print publication dedicated to sharing stories and amplifying voices of female entrepreneurs and women in business in regional and rural Australia. Founded in Bendigo, this quarterly publication is filled with expertise, insights and small business guidance from driven, inspiring and successful local women.

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For more inspiring stories, visit OAK Magazine website. Hosted by Kimberley Furness, Founder + Editor, OAK Magazine.