Daishen Nix
{{short description|American basketball player (born 2002)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Daishen Nix
| image = 1_daishen_nix.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Nix with the Houston Rockets in 2023
| position = Point guard
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lbs = 238
| league = NBA G League
| team = Rio Grande Valley Vipers
| number = 11
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|2|13}}
| birth_place = Fairbanks, Alaska, U.S.
| high_school = Trinity International
(Las Vegas, Nevada)
| draft_year = 2021
| career_start = 2020
| career_end =
| years1 = 2020–2021
| team1 = NBA G League Ignite
| years2 = {{nbay|2021|start}}–{{nbay|2022|end}}
| team2 = Houston Rockets
| years3 = 2021–2022
| team3 = →Rio Grande Valley Vipers
| years4 = {{nbay|2023|start}}–{{nbay|2024|end}}
| team4 = Minnesota Timberwolves
| team5 = →Iowa Wolves
| years6 = 2025–present
| team6 = Rio Grande Valley Vipers
| highlights =
- NBA G League champion (2022)
- McDonald's All-American (2020)
}}
Daishen Feao Nix ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|d|eɪ|ʃ|ən|_|ˈ|n|ɪ|k|s}} {{respell|DAY|shən|_|NIKS}};{{cite press release|title=2023-24 start of season NBA pronunciation guide|url=https://www.nba.com/news/2023-24-start-of-season-nba-pronunciation-guide|website=NBA.com|date=October 24, 2023|access-date=May 18, 2024}} born February 13, 2002) is an American professional basketball player for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA G League. He was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the best point guards in the 2020 class. A former UCLA signee, Nix bypassed playing college basketball and joined the NBA G League Ignite. At the high school level, he competed for Trinity International School in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Early life
Nix was born in Fairbanks, Alaska and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. He played basketball for Mears Middle School in Anchorage. After eighth grade, at age 13, Nix moved to Las Vegas, upon his mother's advice, to gain more basketball exposure and to live closer to his extended family.{{cite web|first=Beth|last=Bragg|title=Daishen Nix, Alaska's hottest high school basketball player, will finally play in Alaska|url=https://www.adn.com/sports/high-school-sports/2019/12/18/alaskas-hottest-high-school-basketball-player-will-finally-play-in-alaska/|work=Anchorage Daily News|date=December 18, 2019|access-date=April 28, 2020}}{{cite news|first=Joey|last=Carreon|title=Daishen Nix is on course to be the next Alaska-bred basketball phenom|url=http://www.adn.com/sports/2019/04/21/meet-daishen-nix-whos-on-course-to-be-the-next-alaska-bred-hoops-phenom/|work=Anchorage Daily News|date=April 21, 2019|access-date=August 21, 2019}}
In high school, Nix played for Trinity International School in Las Vegas.{{cite web|first=Sam|last=Gordon|title=Las Vegas point guard Daishen Nix ready to blossom|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/basketball/las-vegas-point-guard-daishen-nix-ready-to-blossom/|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=July 24, 2018|access-date=April 28, 2020}} As a junior, Nix averaged 19.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game, leading his team to its second straight National Christian School Athletic Association (NCSAA) Division I title.{{cite web|first=Tracy|last=Pierson|title=No. 1 Point Guard Daishen Nix Signs With UCLA|url=https://247sports.com/college/ucla/Article/UCLA-Bruins-Basketball-No-1-Point-Guard-Daishen-Nix-Signs-With-UCLA-138528070/|website=247Sports.com|publisher=247Sports|date=November 13, 2019|access-date=April 28, 2020}} He finished his junior season as NCSAA Player of the Year and as his team's all-time leader in points, rebounds and assists.{{cite web|first=Jason|last=Orts|title=Trinity's Nix receives McDonald's All-American jersey|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/nevada-preps/np-basketball/boys-basketball/trinitys-nix-receives-mcdonalds-all-american-jersey-1965214/|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=February 24, 2020|access-date=April 28, 2020}} On October 15, 2019, as a senior, Nix registered a triple-double of 45 points, 11 assists and 10 steals in a win over PHH Prep.{{cite web|first=Dana|last=Scott|title=Top high school, JUCO basketball players make their mark at Phoenix's Prep Showcase in the Desert|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/high-school/2019/10/15/phoenixs-prep-showcase-desert-features-top-hs-juco-players/3969223002/|work=The Arizona Republic|date=October 15, 2019|access-date=April 28, 2020}} In March 2020, he shared Grind Session most valuable player honors with Jalen Green.{{cite web|first=Sam|last=Gordon|title=Five-star guard Daishen Nix to sign with NBA's G League|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/basketball/five-star-guard-daishen-nix-to-sign-with-nbas-g-league-2016680/|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=April 28, 2020|access-date=April 28, 2020}} Nix was selected to play in the McDonald's All-American Game, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|first=Jason|last=Jordan|title=McDonald's All American Game Cancelled Amid COVID-19 Concerns|url=https://www.si.com/college/recruiting/basketball/mcdonalds-all-american-covid19-coronavirus-ncaa-tournament|work=Sports Illustrated|date=March 12, 2019|access-date=March 30, 2020}} In addition to his high school basketball, Nix competed for independent team Simply Fundamental, which was owned and operated by his high school coach and legal guardian, Greg Lockridge.{{cite news|first=Matt|last=Norlander|title=Five-star 2020 recruit Daishen Nix backs out of playing at UCLA, will head to NBA's G League instead|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/five-star-2020-recruit-daishen-nix-backs-out-of-playing-at-ucla-will-head-to-nbas-g-league-instead/|work=CBS Sports|date=April 28, 2020|access-date=April 28, 2020}}
On August 20, 2019, Nix committed to playing college basketball for UCLA over offers from Alabama, Kansas, Kentucky and Maryland.{{cite web|first=Jeff|last=Borzello|title=Five-star point guard Nix commits to UCLA|url=http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/27427475|work=ESPN|date=August 20, 2019|access-date=August 21, 2019}} On November 13, 2019, he signed a National Letter of Intent with the Bruins.{{cite web|title=UCLA Signs Daishen Nix to National Letter of Intent|url=https://uclabruins.com/news/2019/11/13/mens-basketball-ucla-signs-daishen-nix-to-national-letter-of-intent.aspx|work=UCLA Athletics|date=November 13, 2019|access-date=April 28, 2020}} On April 28, 2020, Nix decommitted from UCLA and announced that he would forgo his college eligibility to join the NBA G League Ignite.{{cite web|first=Jeff|last=Borzello|title=Five-star PG Daishen Nix decommits from UCLA to join G League|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29108600|work=ESPN|date=April 28, 2020|access-date=April 28, 2020}}
{{College Athlete Recruit Start|40=no|collapse=no|year=2020}}
{{College Athlete Recruit Entry
| recruit = Daishen Nix
| position = PG
| hometown = Anchorage, AK
| highschool = Trinity International (NV)
| feet = 6
| inches = 5
| weight = 205
| 40 =
| commitdate = August 20, 2019
| scout stars =
| rivals stars = 5
| 247 stars = 5
| espn stars = 5
| espn grade = 94
}}
{{College Athlete Recruit End
| 40 =
| year = 2020
| rivals ref title = UCLA 2020 Basketball Commitments
| scout ref title =
| espn ref title = 2020 UCLA Bruins Recruiting Class
| rivals school = ucla
| scout s =
| espn schoolid = 26
| 247 overall = 15
| rivals overall = 15
| espn overall = 21
| accessdate = September 2, 2020
| bball = yes
}}
Professional career
=NBA G League Ignite (2021)=
On April 28, 2020, Nix signed a one-year, $300,000 contract with the NBA G League Ignite, a developmental team affiliated with the NBA G League.{{cite web|first=Adam|last=Zagoria|title=Former UCLA Commit Daishen Nix Latest To Sign With NBA G League|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamzagoria/2020/04/28/former-ucla-commit-daishen-nix-latest-to-sign-with-nba-g-league/#6b30c80ee03c|work=Forbes|date=April 28, 2020|access-date=July 16, 2020}} He explained his decision by saying, "I think it was the right thing for me because it was a family thing and a myself thing. Playing in G League is basically getting me ready for the NBA draft. It's just one step below the NBA." Nix averaged 8.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game.{{cite web|title=Daishen Nix|url=https://gleague.nba.com/player/daishen-nix/|website=NBA.com|access-date=April 24, 2021}}
=Houston Rockets / Rio Grande Valley Vipers (2021–2023)=
After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, Nix joined the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2021 NBA Summer League.{{cite web|first=Sam|last=Gordon|title=Daishen Nix to play Summer League with Philadelphia 76ers|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/basketball/daishen-nix-to-play-summer-league-with-philadelphia-76ers-2410011/|website=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=July 30, 2021|access-date=July 30, 2021}} On August 25, 2021, he signed with the Houston Rockets{{cite web|first=Trevor|last=Patin|title=Rockets Sign Tyler Bey and Daishen Nix|url=https://www.nba.com/rockets/news/rockets-sign-tyler-bey-and-daishen-nix|website=NBA.com|date=August 25, 2021|access-date=August 25, 2021}} and on October 16, they turned his deal into a two-way contract. Under the terms of the deal, he split time between the Rockets and their NBA G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.{{cite tweet|first=Jackson|last=Gatlin|title=The Rockets announced signing Daishen Nix to a two-way contract. They've also waived Marcus Foster.|number=1449129139575865346|user=JTGatlin|date=October 16, 2021|access-date=October 22, 2021}}
On February 15, 2022, the Rockets converted Nix's contract into a standard deal.{{cite web|first=Rahat|last=Huq|title=Daishen Nix Contract Conversion Adds To Houston Rockets’ Young Core|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/rahathuq/2022/02/20/daishen-nix-contract-conversion-adds-to-houston-rockets-young-core|website=Forbes.com|date=February 20, 2022|access-date=June 13, 2023}}
On June 29, 2023, Nix was waived by the Rockets.{{cite web|title=Daishen Nix: Let go by Houston|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/daishen-nix-let-go-by-houston/amp/|website=CBSSports.com|date=June 29, 2023|access-date=July 1, 2023}}
=Minnesota Timberwolves / Iowa Wolves (2023–2025)=
On September 28, 2023, Nix signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves{{cite web|first=Matt|last=Stanton|title=Timberwolves Announce Training Camp Roster and Information|url=https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/timberwolves-announce-training-camp-roster-and-information-3|website=NBA.com|date=September 28, 2023|access-date=September 28, 2023}} and on October 20, his deal was converted into a two-way contract.{{cite web|title=Timberwolves Convert Daishen Nix to Two-Way Contract|url=https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/timberwolves-convert-daishen-nix-to-two-way-contract|website=NBA.com|date=October 20, 2023|access-date=October 20, 2023}}
On July 11, 2024, Nix signed another two-way contract with the Timberwolves.{{cite web|title=Timberwolves Sign Daishen Nix to Two-Way Contract|url=https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/timberwolves-sign-daishen-nix-to-two-way-contract|website=NBA.com|date=July 11, 2024|access-date=July 18, 2024}} On January 3, 2025, Nix was waived by Minnesota.{{cite web|title=Timberwolves Awarded Tristen Newton Off Waivers|url=https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/timberwolves-awarded-tristen-newton-off-waivers|website=NBA.com|date=January 3, 2025|access-date=January 3, 2025}}
=Second stint with Rio Grande Valley (2025–present)=
On January 11, 2025, Nix joined the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.{{cite tweet|author=RGV Vipers|title=Welcome back, @djfromveg‼️|number=1878092223008408035|user=RGVVipers|date=January 11, 2025|access-date=January 12, 2025}}
On February 8, 2025, Nix signed a 10-day contract with the Sacramento Kings,{{Cite web|title=Kings Sign Daishen Nix To 10-Day Contract|url=https://www.nba.com/kings/news/kings-sign-daishen-nix-to-10-day-contract|access-date=February 13, 2025|website=nba.com|language=en}} but never appeared in a game for the team. He returned to the Vipers following the end of his 10-day contract with the Kings.
Career statistics
{{NBA player statistics legend}}
=NBA=
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2021}}
| style="text-align:left;"| Houston
| 24 || 0 || 10.9 || .403 || .269 || .533 || 1.4 || 1.7 || .6 || .0 || 3.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2022}}
| style="text-align:left;"| Houston
| 57 || 7 || 16.0 || .342 || .286 || .667 || 1.7 || 2.3 || .5 || .1 || 4.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2023}}
| style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota
| 15 || 0 || 3.3 || .375 || .353 || .500 || .2 || .4 || .3 || .0 || 1.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2024}}
| style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota
| 3 || 0 || 4.4 || .000 || .000 || .500 || 1.3 || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || .3
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 99 || 7 || 12.5 || .356 || .288 || .595 || 1.4 || 1.8 || .5 || .1 || 3.3
{{S-end}}
Personal life
Nix is of Samoan descent.{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Van |title=Daishen Nix will headline this week’s Alaska Airlines Classic |url=https://www.adn.com/sports/high-school-sports/2020/01/22/daishen-nix-the-ucla-bound-point-guard-who-got-his-start-in-anchorage-will-headline-this-weeks-alaska-airlines-classic/ |publisher=Anchorage Daily News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122042419/https://www.adn.com/sports/high-school-sports/2020/01/22/daishen-nix-the-ucla-bound-point-guard-who-got-his-start-in-anchorage-will-headline-this-weeks-alaska-airlines-classic/ |archive-date=January 22, 2020}} His mother, Mina Tupuola, played basketball for Lathrop High School in Fairbanks, Alaska and attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks.{{cite web|first=Beth|last=Bragg|title=He's on the path to big-time college basketball, but Daishen Nix and Anchorage haven't forgotten each other|url=https://www.adn.com/sports/high-school-sports/2020/01/26/hes-on-the-path-to-big-time-college-basketball-but-daishen-nix-and-anchorage-havent-forgotten-each-other/|work=Anchorage Daily News|date=January 26, 2020|access-date=April 28, 2020}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://gleague.nba.com/player/daishen-nix/ NBA G League profile]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20190821082300/https://www.usab.com/basketball/players/mens/n/nix-daishen.aspx USA Basketball bio]
{{Rio Grande Valley Vipers current roster}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nix, Daishen}}
Category:21st-century American sportsmen
Category:American men's basketball players
Category:American sportspeople of Samoan descent
Category:Houston Rockets players
Category:McDonald's High School All-Americans
Category:Minnesota Timberwolves players
Category:NBA G League Ignite players
Category:Rio Grande Valley Vipers players
Category:Basketball players from Anchorage, Alaska