NBA Australia Watch: Dante Exum Earning His Minutes Early With Utah Jazz
It’s not much but for a 19-year-old who is playing in the first week of the first year his professional basketball career, Dante Exum’s minutes and production with his team, the Utah Jazz can be considered, at the very least, respectable. The Australian made his National Basketball Association (NBA) debut last Oct. 29 and has since played in four games in the 2014-2015 NBA Season.
Exum’s NBA Debut (vs. Houston Rockets, Oct 29, 2014)
In his first NBA game, Exum faced one of the highest scoring teams in the league in the Houston Rockets. He accounted well for himself despite playing just 10 minutes by making 2-of-3 field goal attempts for 5 points and adding a rebound and a steal. Rockets beat Jazz, 104-93.
Exum’s First Struggle (vs. Dallas Mavericks, Oct. 30, 2014)
Playing in the back-end of a back-to-back, Exum’s minutes increased to 19 minutes against the Dallas Mavericks. The Australian youngster did not respond well missing 3-of-4 shots from the field— and all missed from the three-point land. Exum finished with just 2 points and 2 turnovers as the Mavericks beat the Jazz, 120-102,
Exum’s First Win (vs. Phoenix Suns, Nov. 1, 2014)
The Utah Jazz pulled off their first surprise of the year by beating the Suns handily 118-91 in their third game. Exum had a good effort off the bench finishing with 10 points (easily the NBA career-high), 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 blocked shot. Exum was sizzling from behind the arc (3/4 three-point FG) and could have had more if he took care of the freebies (1/4 FTs).
Watch Exum vs. Phoenix below:
(YouTube/Aussies In The NBA)
Exum Contributes In Close Loss (vs. Los Angeles Clippers, Nov. 3, 2014)
Exum struggled to get a make from the rainbow area (0/3 3FG) but made all of his shots inside to finish 3-of-6 overall from the field for 7 points. He played in 17 minutes and added 1 rebound, 2 assists and 1 blocked shots in the close 107-101 loss to one of the top teams in the Western Conference, Los Angeles Clippers.
Make sure to check IBT Sports for more Australians in the NBA news and Dante Exum updates in the NBA this season.