The rising star, who is on the Border this week representing the Victorian Goldminers under-18 boys at the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup, attended last year's NBA Global Camp alongside a number of top prospects outside the US and was watched closely by NBA talent scouts.

Daniels, who hails from Bendigo, recently joined the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra and also landed a spot on the Bendigo Braves' roster in the inaugural NBL1 season last year.

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He's hoping he can follow in the footsteps of fellow Victorians Ben Simmons and Dante Exum, who both grew up in Melbourne and worked their way up to the NBA.

Daniels' father, Ricky, is the biggest influence on his career, having played college basketball for North Carolina State University before going on to become a legend of the Bendigo Braves.

It's the third year Daniels has lined up at the Country Cup and he always enjoys getting back.

The athletic guard turned the game on its head for the Goldminers on Tuesday morning with nine points in the final quarter to set up a 78-62 victory against NSW Waratahs.

"I like being able to help others and bring some of the skills I've learnt at the AIS back here," Daniels said.

"I'd like to stay at the AIS a bit longer and I've had a few college offers, so hopefully I get a few more of them.

"I went to the AIS about six months ago and I was a horrible shooter, so I've been working really hard on being able to knock down the three ball.

"Country Victoria has a great program and a lot of great coaches that have put time into me.

"It's great to play with mates (at the Country Cup) and also see the other talent that is coming through."

Daniels knows it will take plenty more hard work for him to realise his NBA dream.

Meanwhile, Albury-Wodonga's representative sides made an impressive start to the week with the under-14 girls upstaging NSW Kookaburras, 68-44, in their opening game on Monday.

Both Tasmania Devils (38-70) and South Australia Sharks (65-92) proved too strong on Tuesday.

Not to be outdone, the Border's under-16 boys team stunned NSW Kookaburras, 73-70, in a thrilling contest, but narrowly went down to Tasmania Tigers, 65-62, on Tuesday.