Dash Daniels excels after moving to Phoenix, Hawks import under scrutiny

By the Editorial Team · Monday, October 26, 2026

Dash Daniels has significantly elevated his performance after transferring from Melbourne United to the Phoenix, increasing his scoring, rebounds, assists, and playing time in the NBL27 season. Meanwhile, Illawarra Hawks’ import point guard Milton Doyle faces mounting criticism for poor shooting and inconsistent play, putting his role under review as the team struggles early in the campaign.

Dash Daniels is showing marked improvement since his move from Melbourne United to the Phoenix in the ongoing NBL27 season, while Illawarra Hawks’ import point guard Milton Doyle faces increasing scrutiny amid a disappointing start to the campaign.

Daniels, the younger brother of Australian NBA player Dyson Daniels, struggled for consistent minutes and impact while with Melbourne United. However, since joining the Phoenix, his performance metrics have risen significantly. His averages have increased across several categories, including points (from 4.2 to 12.6), rebounds (2.3 to 5.3), assists (0.8 to 2.0), and steals (0.6 to 0.9) per game. Additionally, his playing time has grown from an average of 14.2 minutes to 23.2 minutes per game. Daniels delivered a standout performance in the Phoenix’s recent decisive victory over Adelaide, scoring 18 points on six of 10 shooting.

In contrast, Illawarra Hawks’ American import Milton Doyle finds himself under pressure due to a series of underwhelming performances. Doyle, brought in to lead the Hawks at point guard, has not met expectations, with averages of 11.7 points, 5.6 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game. His shooting efficiency has been notably low, hitting just 37 percent from the field and 24.1 percent from beyond the arc. His struggles were highlighted in the Hawks’ recent home loss to Brisbane, where he made just three of 12 field goals and one of seven three-point attempts.

Doyle’s fit within the Hawks lineup has been widely questioned both within the team and across the league, with calls mounting for a change if his form does not improve. While Doyle’s previous championship-winning experience with the Tasmania JackJumpers in NBL24 affirms his capabilities at this level, his tenure with Illawarra has yet to produce the anticipated results. Fellow Illawarra import Kelan Martin also underperformed in the same loss to Brisbane, managing only two points on one of four shooting attempts.

The Hawks have not yet made any official moves regarding Doyle’s status, but the growing pressure highlights the challenges they face in establishing a winning formula early in the season. Meanwhile, Daniels' upward trajectory at the Phoenix underscores the potential impact of a change in environment and opportunity for developing players in the NBL.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.