Australian wonderkid Dante Exum to bypass college
By Joe Nardone
Jun 27, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; NBA commissioner David Stern (right) and deputy commissioner Adam Silver speak after the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Overseas players are not nearly the rage they used to be, but that doesn’t mean NBA teams are not going to take a flyer out on a talented import if they think they are worthy. A current good example of that will be the draft stock of Dante Exum — as Chad Ford of ESPN has reported that he is going to bypass college, do not collect 200 dollars (millions on the other hand, though) and go directly to the NBA.
Exum is a really neat prospect. A 6’6″ guard, he is skilled enough with the ball as a playmaker to play the one. He is also a versatile, dangerous enough scorer to play the two. Really, the free-world thinks the world of the Australian wonderkid.
The connection to college basketball? Some thought he might go to college for at least a year because his old man played ball for the North Carolina Tar Heels. But because of Exum’s extremely awesome abilities — that were showcased in the U-19 World Championships a few months ago — his stock is higher than any character in a Cheech and Chong movie.
No real drawbacks as far as his draft stock, either. Outside of some scouts wishing they had more film on the kid, Dante Exum is likely a top-four or five 2014 NBA Draft pick.