Australian men’s basketball coach Andrej Lemanis has warned Dante Exum’s new agent to be mindful of the young star’s desire to play for the national team when negotiating deals with NBA clubs.
The teenage prodigy last week decided to bypass the US college system and head straight to the professional bigtime in the NBA, signing with the same agency that represents superstar Kobe Bryant.
He is now a projected top-four pick for June’s draft – earning him a potential $US5 million ($A5.71 million) first-year rookie contract.
But the 18-year-old has told Lemanis he is committed to playing for Australia whatever the outcome.
And it’s a message the Boomers mentor was quick to relay to Landmark Sports Agency’s Rob Pelinka.
“Dante’s conveyed that to me and I’ve spoken to his agent as well,” Lemanis told AAP.
“He’s made it very clear that he wants to be available for the Boomers and that the national team is very important to him.
“So his agent needs to be mindful of that when dealing with the NBA clubs.
“He’s stated his position quite strongly, which is great for us.
“But we’ll just see how that plays out.”
Exum made his debut for the Boomers against New Zealand at the Oceania Championships last August, playing 11 minutes for four points in two matches.
Lemanis suggested the young guard is a chance of making the squad for this year’s World Cup, alongside NBA stars Andrew Bogut and Patty Mills – whose selection will depend on their fitness and availability.
The Boomers are scheduled to play a series against China in May, before Lemanis names a 16-player squad for a five-day camp beginning on July 23 in Canberra.
That will be cut down to 12 before the team leaves for Europe on August 6 for several World Cup warm-up matches.
“Obviously (Dante’s) going to go through that draft process and who knows what happens at the other end of it,” he said.
“But he has been fantastic.”
Build your own ultimate team! Pick your key players and take a shot at big cash prizes every day with Draftstars. For great odds on NBA games every day head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Michael Malone was not a happy man after Denver blew a record lead to lose Game 7, and the series, to the Timberwolves.
The Celtics count success in terms of trophies, not Eastern Conference finals appearances. Boston have now racked up six in the space of seven…
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points as Oklahoma overcame a Dallas franchise playoff-record 13 blocks, rallying for a 100-96 victory to even their NBA Western…
As much as fans of the other franchises hate to admit it, there is magic in the NBA air when the New York Knicks…
Corey Williams is being remembered as a one-of-a-kind NBL figure after the former MVP and outspoken commentator lost his fight with cancer. A New…
Sadly, on Thursday the owners of WNBL club the Melbourne Boomers handed back their license which has been transferred to a Geelong-based consortium. The…
