(Source) - Australian phenom Dante Exum has decided to declare for the 2014 NBA draft, his family and agent told ESPN.com on Tuesday.
Exum, 18, is widely regarded as a top-five draft pick by NBA scouts and general managers. He is currently ranked No. 4 in ESPN's Top 100, and is ranked as the No. 1 point guard on ESPN.com's Big Board.
Exum's star rose with a terrific Nike Hoop Summit performance in April followed by a big performance last summer at the FIBA U-19 championships, where he averaged 18 points and nearly four assists per game. He had a 33-point game against Spain in the quarterfinals and a 28-point game vs. Lithuania in the bronze-medal game.
Exum returned to Australia this fall to finish his high school career and led his team, Lake Ginninderra, to the national schools basketball title last week. Exum had 15 assists in the championship game.
Exum can play both guard positions and has the ideal blend of athleticism and skill. However, scouts believe that ultimately he'll be an NBA point guard with elite size (6-foot-6, 188 pounds) as he is very quick with the ball and gets to the rim almost effortlessly.
His jump shot is still a work in progress -- the primary weakness in his game. If he were playing college ball in the U.S., many NBA scouts believe he would be a serious contender for the No. 1 overall pick.
If you follow basketball closely then you know who this kid is. Dante Exum is an absolute stud, there's nothing more to say about it than that. Personally I think it's fair to make the argument that Marcus Smart is more NBA ready right now, but that's only because he also happens to be an absolute freak and is a slightly better defender because he's played with better overall competition. But by year three, Exum is going to be the guy. He's 6'6 and as unselfish as Chris Paul with some of the best court vision I've ever seen because of his added height. And he's long enough to defend two and eventually 3 positions, name three other point guards in the league that can do that.
This kid is a dream come true for any NBA franchise. All he needs to do is add a little bulk to his frame and work on his jumper. And as for his jumper being "the primary weakness in his game," it is the primary weakness in his game, but that doesn't mean that it's necessarily a weakness. He shoots a pretty good three ball, but could use a little work on his mid range. But calling it a weakness is an overstatement, because with his length and athleticism he can get looks that most other point guards can. Imagine a smarter Michael Carter-Williams who is more responsible with the ball and has a consistent jumpshot. Two words to describe Dante Exum: Scary. Good.
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