Dyson Daniels wins 2025 NBA Most Improved Player award
Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels leads league in steals and joins legends like Jordan and Magic with historic season.
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| Dyson Daniels #5 of the Atlanta Hawks warms up ahead of the game on April 18, 2025, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE |
By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini
Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels has been named the 2025 NBA Most Improved Player, capping off a breakout season in which he led the league in steals and joined a rarefied group of legends with his all-around performance. The 22-year-old Australian, known for his defensive prowess and fast-improving offensive game, has become one of the NBA’s brightest young stars.
Daniels, nicknamed "The Great Barrier Thief" for his uncanny ability to disrupt opposing offenses, earned the honor after a vote by a global media panel. He secured 44 first-place votes, becoming the second player in Atlanta Hawks history to win the award, following Alan Henderson’s recognition in 1998.
The announcement of Dyson Daniels winning the 2025 NBA Most Improved Player award underscores his rapid transformation from a promising young talent into one of the league’s most impactful two-way players. Daniels averaged career highs in nearly every major statistical category and led the NBA in both steals and deflections.
Historic defensive season draws comparisons to legends
Daniels finished the season with an NBA-best 229 steals, the highest single-season total since Gary Payton recorded 231 steals during the 1995-96 campaign. He averaged 3.01 steals per game—figures not seen since Alvin Robertson in the 1990-91 season. Daniels also led the league with 443 deflections, averaging 5.8 per game, further illustrating his disruptive presence on defense.
His tenacity and timing on the defensive end placed him as the runner-up for the 2025 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, a rare feat for a player still in his early 20s. Daniels’ defensive numbers were not only league-leading—they were historically significant.
“It’s not just about the steals,” Hawks head coach Quin Snyder said. “It’s the energy, the anticipation, the way he reads the court. He makes plays that change momentum.”
Offensive breakout rounds out elite campaign
While Daniels’ defensive dominance made headlines, his growth on the offensive end was equally impressive. In his third NBA season and first with Atlanta after being traded from the New Orleans Pelicans last July, Daniels posted career-high averages of 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game.
He shot a personal-best 49.3% from the field and improved his three-point shooting to 34.0%—solid marks for a player primarily known for defense. His all-around performance drew comparisons to Hall of Famers.
Only four other players in NBA history—Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Alvin Robertson, and Michael Ray Richardson—have averaged at least 14 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals per game in a single season. Daniels has now joined that elite company.
“Any time your name gets mentioned alongside guys like Magic and MJ, you know you’re doing something right,” Daniels said following the award announcement. “But for me, it’s about getting better every day, helping my team win, and doing whatever it takes.”
Unprecedented year-to-year improvement
Daniels’ statistical jump from the previous season was staggering. Compared to his 2023-2024 campaign, he increased his scoring by 8.3 points, rebounding by 2.0, assists by 1.7, and steals by 1.62 per game. Only two other players in NBA history—Michael Ray Richardson (from 1978-79 to 1979-80) and Eric Murdock (from 1991-92 to 1992-93)—have made comparable leaps in so many categories while playing at least 50 games.
His improvement wasn’t just in raw numbers but in overall efficiency, decision-making, and leadership on the court. Daniels often guarded the opposing team’s best player while also initiating offense, showcasing a maturity beyond his years.
“This wasn’t just a stat-padding season,” said former NBA coach Stan Van Gundy during an ESPN broadcast. “Daniels became a floor general on both ends. That’s rare for someone this young.”
From Australia to NBA stardom
Born in Bendigo, Victoria, Daniels made waves internationally through the NBA Global Academy and later the G League Ignite before entering the 2022 NBA Draft. Selected eighth overall by the Pelicans, he showed flashes of his potential in New Orleans but truly blossomed after being dealt to Atlanta.
The Hawks saw him as a cornerstone piece in a retooling effort and placed him in a larger role from day one. The result was one of the most memorable individual seasons in recent Hawks history.
Australian basketball continues to thrive on the global stage, and Daniels’ success is likely to inspire a new wave of young talent from Down Under. He follows in the footsteps of compatriots like Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, and Ben Simmons—but his trajectory suggests he may surpass them all if he continues at this pace.
Impact on Hawks and future outlook
The Hawks, who narrowly missed the playoffs this season, are optimistic about their future with Daniels as a foundational player. His chemistry with star guard Trae Young and forward Jalen Johnson was evident throughout the year. With a more refined offensive game and league-best defensive instincts, Daniels could evolve into an All-Star candidate as early as next season.
General Manager Landry Fields praised Daniels for his relentless work ethic and team-first mentality. “He puts the team above everything. That’s the kind of player you build around,” Fields said.
The NBA Most Improved Player award often signals a player’s leap into stardom. For Dyson Daniels, the 2025 honor may be just the beginning.
Recognition from peers and legends
Daniels’ impact didn’t go unnoticed by his peers. Players across the league praised his growth on social media after the award was announced. “That boy is different,” tweeted Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant. “Real two-way killer.”
NBA legend Gary Payton, whose 1996 steal record Daniels nearly matched, also chimed in. “Love how that kid plays defense. Reminds me of myself when I was coming up. He’s got the hands, the feet, and the hunger.”
A future built on hustle and vision
With the 2025 NBA Most Improved Player trophy in hand and comparisons to some of basketball’s greatest defenders and all-around talents, Dyson Daniels has arrived. His story is still unfolding, but his presence is already being felt across the league.
In a season defined by growth, grit, and game-changing performances, Dyson Daniels winning the 2025 NBA Most Improved Player award stands as a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence and his emergence as one of the next great two-way guards in the NBA.
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