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Dani Díez
2023-01-05 ALBA Berlin gegen Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (EuroLeague 2022-23) by Sandro Halank–013.jpg
Díez in 2023
No. 11 – San Pablo Burgos
Small forward
Personal information
Born (1993-05-17) 17 May 1993 (age 32)
Madrid, Spain
Listed height 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight 220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
NBA Draft 2015 / Round: 2 / Pick: 54th overall
Selected by the Utah Jazz
Pro career 2010–present
League Primera FEB
Career history
2010–2015 Real Madrid
2010–2012 → Real Madrid B
2012–2013 → Gipuzkoa
2014–2015 → Gipuzkoa
2015–2019 Unicaja Málaga
2019–2021 CB Canarias
2021–2022 Hereda San Pablo Burgos
2022–2024 Saski Baskonia
2024–present Longevida San Pablo Burgos
Career highlights and awards
  • EuroCup champion (2017)
  • FIBA Intercontinental Cup champion (2020)
  • Spanish Cup winner (2012)
  • Spanish Supercup (2013)
  • ACB Best Young Player Award (2015)
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Spain
U20 European Championship
Bronze 2013 Estonia U20 Team
Bronze 2012 Slovenia U20 Team
U18 European Championship
Gold 2011 Poland U18 Team
U16 European Championship
Gold 2009 Lithuania U16 Team

Daniel "Dani" Díez de la Faya (born on May 17, 1993) is a Spanish professional basketball player. He plays for Longevida San Pablo Burgos in Spain's Primera FEB league. Dani also plays for the Spanish national team. In 2015, he was chosen by the Utah Jazz in the 2015 NBA Draft.

Dani's Basketball Journey

Starting in Spain

Dani Díez began his basketball career in 2005 with the U-14 Adecco Estudiantes team. In 2009, he moved to the U-18 Real Madrid Baloncesto team.

The next season, 2009–10, he started playing for the Real Madrid Baloncesto B team. This team was in the LEB Plata League.

During the 2011–12 season, Dani became a key player for Real Madrid B. He also started practicing and traveling with the main Real Madrid team. Dani played his first game in the top Spanish league, the ACB League, on December 18, 2011.

In June 2012, Dani was invited to the Adidas Eurocamp in Italy. This event is a special showcase for talented young players in Europe. He played very well, scoring 16 points in the final game. He was named the best small forward at the Eurocamp.

Playing for Different Teams

For the 2012–13 season, Dani played for Lagun Aro GBC in the ACB League. He was one of the best players on his new team during the preseason. He scored about 10.2 points and grabbed 4 rebounds per game. In one game, he scored his personal best of 17 points.

In the summer of 2013, Dani returned to Real Madrid. He became a regular player on the team. That season, Real Madrid won the Spanish League championship. They also finished second in the 2012–13 Euroleague. On October 5, Real Madrid won the Spanish Supercup. They beat Barcelona 83–79 in the final.

In September 2014, Dani was loaned again to Gipuzkoa Basket. He was named the best player of week 20 in the 2014–15 ACB season. This was after he scored 32 points against Andorra. He was also chosen for the best team of the season in weeks 15, 20, and 31.

On May 19, 2015, Dani was named the Best Young Player in the league. He averaged 12.6 points and 7.0 rebounds per game that year.

On July 8, 2015, Dani signed a two-year contract with Unicaja. In April 2017, Dani and Unicaja won the EuroCup. They beat Valencia BC in the Finals.

On July 5, 2019, Dani signed a two-year deal with Iberostar Tenerife. This team also plays in the Liga ACB. He extended his contract with them until 2023.

On July 19, 2021, Dani signed a one-year deal with San Pablo Burgos. This team plays in the Spanish Liga ACB and the Basketball Champions League.

On August 3, 2022, Dani signed with Saski Baskonia of the Spanish Liga ACB. He renewed his contract with them on July 5, 2023.

On July 4, 2024, Dani signed with Longevida San Pablo Burgos. This team is in the Spanish Primera FEB.

NBA Draft Experience

On June 25, 2015, Dani Díez was chosen as the 54th pick in the 2015 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz. His draft rights were later traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. This means the Trail Blazers got the chance to sign him if he ever decided to play in the NBA.

On February 9, 2023, Dani's draft rights were traded again. This time, they went to the New York Knicks as part of a big trade involving four teams.

On June 27, 2024, Dani's rights were traded back to the Portland Trail Blazers. This was part of a trade for another player named Tyler Kolek.

Playing for Spain's National Team

Dani Díez has also played for Spain's national basketball teams.

In 2009, he won a gold medal with the Spain U-16 national team. This was at the 2009 FIBA U16 European Championship.

In July 2010, he played in the 2010 FIBA Under-17 World Cup. He was the top scorer and rebounder for Spain in that tournament.

In the summer of 2011, he won another gold medal. This was at the 2011 FIBA U18 European Championship. He was also chosen for the All-Tournament Team.

In July 2012, he played with the Spain U-20 national team. They won a bronze medal at the 2012 FIBA U20 European Championship. Even though he was only 19, he was selected for the All-Tournament Team.

In the summer of 2013, he won another bronze medal. This was at the 2013 FIBA U20 European Championship. Dani was chosen for the All-Tournament Team for the third year in a row. He was the top scorer of the tournament.

Dani Díez has played 9 times with the main Spain national team.

Awards and Honors

Dani Díez has received several awards for his great playing:

  • 2011 FIBA U18 European Championship: All Tournament Team
  • 2012 FIBA U20 European Championship: All Tournament Team
  • 2013 FIBA U20 European Championship: All Tournament Team
  • ACB Best Young Player Award: 2015

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Dani Díez para niños

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