The return of Dante Exum in the NBA is one of the good surprises of the offseason. The move was signed by the Mavs where Dennis Lindsey, the one who recruited him to Utah in 2014 with the 5th choice, is now playing as a manager.
After injuries, to the knee then to the shoulder, and finally an exile in Europe for the last two seasons, the Australian leader is relishing his return to the league for all it’s worth.
“I think for me it’s been a long journey. Of course, I have already played in the NBA, and I have had to deal with many injuries. But I thought I had what it took to be here. Proving that I was healthy was a bit of the problem.”, he confided.
An enriching experience
Even when pushed out of the league, Dante Exum held on and delivered two excellent seasons at FC Barcelona and then at Partizan Belgrade. Two adventures across the Atlantic which helped him gain experience and confidence on both sides of the field.
“Going to Europe and spending the last two seasons there helped me a lot to learn their game, the way they play, and the importance of possessions.”he added. “I’m happy I was able to fight to come back here. Now it’s about staying the course, staying healthy, making sure I work every day on my game and in the areas that haven’t been my strong points to make it a strong point today.”
Dante Exum ready to develop fast game
The point guard also revealed that several NBA teams came forward this summer to get him. But the prospect of playing behind Doncic-Irving won out. Coming off the bench, he hopes to bring his defense and his quality to the transition game.
“My strengths are counter-attacking play and speed. Being a tall point guard will also help me, that’s why I like the Mavs.” he continued. “I’ve always tried to be an energetic guy. I want to bring that energy when I get on the field. I like to push the transition, play fast. I know the coaches have talked about that a little bit this year, playing faster, getting more open play transitions. That’s what I’m going to try to do as best I can.”
| Dante Exum | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2014-15 | UTH | 82 | 22 | 34.9 | 31.4 | 62.5 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 4.8 |
| 2016-17 | UTH | 66 | 19 | 42.7 | 29.5 | 79.5 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 6.2 |
| 2017-18 | UTH | 14 | 17 | 48.3 | 27.8 | 80.6 | 0.3 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 8.1 |
| 2018-19 | UTH | 42 | 16 | 41.9 | 29.0 | 79.1 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 2.6 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 6.9 |
| 2019-20 * | All Teams | 35 | 14 | 47.1 | 34.9 | 74.4 | 0.3 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 4.5 |
| 2019-20 * | KEY | 24 | 17 | 47.9 | 35.1 | 73.2 | 0.4 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 5.6 |
| 2019-20 * | UTH | 11 | 8 | 43.5 | 33.3 | 100.0 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 2.2 |
| 2020-21 | KEY | 6 | 19 | 38.5 | 18.2 | 50.0 | 0.3 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 2.2 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 3.8 |
| Total | 245 | 19 | 40.7 | 30.5 | 76.4 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 5.7 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
