Official Dante Exum Thread

Hey guys,

I thought I would show off something nice I picked up on the weekend.
1 of many things actually...:)

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Exum, in Canberra on an AIS scholarship, says he will decide by February whether to do so, a move that would make him an instant millionaire. NBA draft experts, and leading US sports website ESPN, believe he would be a top-four selection and could even go No. 1 should he not want to spend at least one year developing at college level. ''To be honest, I haven't been thinking about it too much,'' Exum said. ''I am back home but my mum is still in Singapore, so she is going to head back soon. After that I will make my decision with my whole family. ''I want to get it done by February. It shouldn't be too hard [a decision] to make. But I just want to make sure I use my time right so I make the right decision.'' Sydney Morning Herald - See more at: http://hoopshype.com/rumors.htm#sthash.QtZIVFCP.dpuf
 
Dante Exum, one of the best amateur players in the world, is setting up meetings with several prominent agents over the next month in Australia to discuss representation for the 2014 NBA draft, sources told Yahoo Sports. Exum, a 6-foot-6 guard, and his family will host agents from most of the major North American firms in December and early January in Sydney, sources told Yahoo.
Several agents involved in the process believe that Exum, 18, will turn pro, and expect he'll come over to the United States in February to start working out for the June draft. His father, Cecil, played at the University of North Carolina and in the National Basketball League of Australia.
 
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Anyone on here know Grantley Bernard? Been covering ball for the Herald Sun for a long time and all round nice guy... I was talking to him today (he's one of our tenants) and he just yesterday talked to Dantes dad Cecil, who played on same North Carolina team as Jordan, Worthy, Perkins etc and he said that he wants Dante to have as normal an upbringing as possible and wants him to be a kid and knows that money fame etc can change ppl - if he goes to college it will be for one yr and thats it - watch this space i guess

I reckon he goes to the nba... the only way his stock can go, is down, if he chooses to play college ball and things dont quite go to plan. As it stands hes a potential top 5 pick - with the other 4 guys being jabari parker, andrew wiggins, julius randle and marcus smart - pretty impressive company for the young aussie to be mentioned with.

Random - Other veteran basketball guys John Dorge & Warrick Giddey also both live in Yarraville and Chris Anstey used to come into our office from time to time when him and his wife were looking for a place around Melbourne's Inner West - i think he ended up settling elsewhere though
 
Could Exum Force His Way To Lakers Like Bryant?
  • By Jabari Davis | NBA Writer and Columnist

    • Tweet387 Share95 Reddit0 Share546
  • Updated: February 3, 2014
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In a recent interview with Bleacher Report’s Jared Zwerling, 18-year-old phenom Dante Exum stated he’d like to be drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers.
Normally, rumors of this nature are spurred on by success-thirsty fan bases that can be amusing, as they generally have the same immediate reaction of *insert player X* as a “future Laker” regardless of realities like cap space and things like draft position. This, eerily similar to a situation just about two decades ago, is something entirely different.
“Definitely L.A. is one option,” Exum told Bleacher Report. “I’ve been to L.A. many times and I love the city, and it is a great city. If I get the opportunity to go to L.A. and play for the Lakers, I know I’ll have love for the city. And their fans are loyal and they have the rivalry with the Clippers. But just to be in an environment where you have a great player like Kobe, where you have a mentor in a way as a rookie, I think that would be the best option.”
»In Related: Why Dante Exum is a Top Draft Prospect
While Exum may not be receiving quite the fanfare of presumed top picks Andrew Wiggins, Joel Embiid and Jabari Parker, he has managed to capture the attention of NBA scouts, coaches and even players without the immediate accessibility and constant attention from the cameras since he’s in Australia.
Depending upon where the 16-31 Lakers (currently tied for the sixth-worst record) wind up in terms of draft position, Exum could conceivably force his way to Los Angeles, using the threat of signing overseas to give him leverage.
Exum signed with Rob Pelinka, who also represents Kobe Bryant, and while this could be seen as a coincidence, the more you look into his story, the more you realize just how serious he is about being a Laker someday. While Bryant wasn’t Pelinka’s client at the time of the 1996 NBA Draft, the two of them do have more than a decade-long relationship at this point.
There were plenty of paralleling stories surrounding Lakers’ eventual draft-day acquisition of the then-17-year-old Bryant, but the most intriguing storylines include reports of Bryant’s representatives essentially warning other teams they would regret drafting him if they chose to, and the rumor of former Lakers GM Jerry West reportedly telling select people he felt Bryant could end up being the “best player to ever play” the game based upon his pre-draft workout.
»In Related: 2014 NBA Mock Draft 1/31/14
One of the main reasons that Exum signed with Pelinka is because he wants to develop a relationship with Bryant to pick his brain. He’s jumping to the NBA straight out of high school and wants advice from Bryant. He also wants to know how Bryant has managed to have such a successful career.
“I just want to know his work ethic, what he’s done to be where he is at the moment, because he’s definitely in the talk of one of the greatest of all-time,” Exum said of Bryant. “So I want to just pick his brain, what he’s done, how he’s adapted over the years and still been able to average over 20 points in the league.”
It’s easy to see what NBA decision-makers are excited about with Exum when watching scouting videos like this:
As the scouting report video shows, courtesy of the great team at DraftExpress.com, Exum’s game is still understandably raw (given his age), but shows signs of great potential and the type of dedication and focus NBA teams would move mountains in order to obtain.
»In Related: Executives in Love with Joel Embiid
Exum also mentioned the Orlando Magic as a good fit, but he made it clear that the Lakers were “the best option” for him.
We are still months away from the 2014 NBA Draft (Thursday, June 26) and so much can (and likely will) change between now and then, so we’ll have to wait and see how things shape up. That said, for Lakers fans, and perhaps even in a small way for the Lakers’ organization, it must be nice to hear these types of statements from an up-and-coming prospect.
 
Lakers News: Dante Exum Says Lakers Would Be His ‘Best Option’
Posted by: Ryan Ward Posted date: February 04, 2014 In: News | comment : 7 Comments

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Jared Zwerling of Bleacher Report
Heading into the 2014 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers might have their sights set on Australian phenom Dante Exum. Even though Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker might be available for the taking, Exum might be the player the Lakers go with and the interest appears to be mutual.
Exum recently signed with agent Rob Pelinka and is a big admirer of superstar Kobe Bryant. The Australian basketball star signed with Pelinka mainly due to the fact that he’s Bryant’s agent and could bring to the two closer in order for the promising prospect to get some much needed advice from Bryant.
Apparently, not only is Exum intrigued at the prospect of playing alongside Bryant and learning from the future Hall of Famer, but he also loves the city of Los Angeles according to Jared Zwerling of Bleacher Report:
“Definitely L.A. is one option,” he said. “I’ve been to L.A. many times and I love the city, and it is a great city. If I get the opportunity to go to L.A. and play for the Lakers, I know I’ll have love for the city. And their fans are loyal and they have the rivalry with the Clippers. But just to be in an environment where you have a great player like Kobe, where you have a mentor in a way as a rookie, I think that would be the best option.”
At this point in time, there’s no telling what picks the Lakers will have in the upcoming draft. With the way things are going, it seems inevitable that the Lakers will have a high draft pick and may be able to acquire another if able to trade Pau Gasol to the Phoenix Suns.
It’ll be interesting to see if Exum remains one of the most promising prospects in the 2014 NBA Draft and continues to peak the interest of the Lakers. Although anything can happen between now and the draft, the Lakers selecting Exum appears to be highly likely if he’s available once the team is on the clock.
 
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