The 2025–26 NBA season opens with a record number of Australians across rosters.

It's a reflection of how far the country's basketball pipeline has come, producing players who contribute in every role imaginable.

Here's how the 13 Aussies in the NBA stack up heading into the new season, based on form, opportunity, and long-term upside.

2Dyson Daniels

Atlanta Hawks

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Fresh off a breakout campaign that earned him the NBA's Most Improved Player award and a spot on the All-Defensive First Team, Dyson Daniels enters the new season not just as a rising star, but as Atlanta's defensive anchor.

The 22-year-old guard's four-year, $100 million ($154 million AUD) extension cements him among Australia's highest-paid athletes; a reflection of both his elite defensive production and the faith the Hawks have in his long-term growth.

Last season, Daniels led the league in steals and deflections, earning the nickname “The Great Barrier Thief” for his relentless on-ball pressure and ability to disrupt elite scorers night after night.

Now, with Kristaps Porzingis and Nickeil Alexander-Walker joining the roster, he'll have more support on the defensive end, freeing him to expand his offensive game. Averaging 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists a year ago, Daniels is focused on becoming a more assertive scorer and faster decision-maker, especially when teams give him open looks.