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Dante Exum has just completed his rookie season with the Utah Jazz and shown glimpses of the talent that saw him get selected in the 2014 draft’s top five.
The son of former NCAA basketball championship winner Cecil Exum, who played on the 1982 championship team alongside NBA greats Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls) and James Worthy (Los Angeles Lakers), Dante grew up in Melbourne and played his junior basketball at Keilor.
As Exum’s junior development progressed, he moved to Canberra to join the AIS. In 2013, Exum was selected for the world team where he impressed and sparked interest in the American college system, however he declined college ball.
Taken fifth in the 2014 NBA draft, Exum was not as familiar as other prospects because he had played all of his basketball in Australia and when his first season did not exactly take the competition by storm, critics raised the question of whether Exum was worth such a high pick.
But despite a slow start to his NBA career, Exum has given the world a few surprises.
Being a point guard, Exum displayed his ability to share the ball with teammates, especially big man Rudy Gobert, as their alley-oop combinations made many a highlight reel.
Exum’s defensive talent came as a surprise, pressuring many opponents into taking difficult shots. He was even able to match it with some of the best guards in the competition, showing he has the capability to be something special.
The 19-year-old guard’s scoring was respectable for a rookie, shooting at 34.9 per cent for the year, with most of his shots coming from downtown. Exum’s best scoring night came in January against Milwaukee, dropping 15 points in a Utah victory.
Although there is room for improvement, there are definitely promising signs for the young Australian. Exum has great character on and off the court and a great love for the game, which is important for success.
It takes time for rookies to find their feet on the big stage in any sport, Exum just needs a little more time to reach his full potential in the NBA and become the great player he is destined to be.
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