Dante Exum, born on 13 July 1995, is an Australian professional basketball player currently with the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. His journey in the league began when he chose to forgo college, getting picked by the Utah Jazz as the fifth overall selection in the 2014 NBA draft.
Growing up in the Melbourne suburb of East Melbourne to American parents, Exum played for the Keilor Basketball Association as a junior. Coached by Karish, he attended Lake Ginninderra Secondary College in Canberra in conjunction with the Australian Institute of Sport. In addition to basketball, Exum immersed himself in Australian rules football during his formative years.
In April 2013, Exum showcased his skills in the Nike Hoop Summit for the World Select Team, recording 16 points, three rebounds, and two assists in a 112–98 victory over the USA Junior Select Team. Despite having the option to enroll in college after graduating from Lake Ginninderra in October 2013, Exum opted to declare for the 2014 NBA draft, signing with agents from Landmark Sports in January 2014.
Exum’s professional career took off when the Utah Jazz selected him in the 2014 NBA draft. He made his NBA debut in October 2014, scoring five points off the bench. As a rookie, he played in all 82 games, displaying versatility with 4.8 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. Notably, Exum became the 10th rookie in Jazz history to play in all 82 games.
In August 2015, Exum faced a setback, tearing his left ACL while playing for Australia. After undergoing surgery, he missed the entire 2015–16 season but returned in the 2016–17 season. He continued to make an impact, scoring a career-high 22 points in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on 11 March 2017.
Despite facing injuries, including shoulder surgery in October 2017, Exum persevered. He re-signed with the Jazz in July 2018, contributing with notable performances, including a season-high 20 points in December 2018.
In December 2019, Exum’s journey took a turn as he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Later, in a multi-team deal in January 2021, he moved to the Houston Rockets. After re-signing with the Rockets in September 2021, Exum was waived in October.
Exum then ventured into international basketball, joining FC Barcelona in December 2021 and later moving to Partizan NIS Belgrade in July 2022. During the 2022–23 season, Exum’s impactful contributions helped Partizan win the ABA League championship.
On 14 July 2023, Exum signed with the Dallas Mavericks, making his debut on 25 October 2023, scoring a season-high 26 points in December 2023.
Apart from his NBA career, Exum has represented the Australia national team, winning a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. His international journey began with the junior national team in 2012 and extended to the senior team, showcasing his skills in various FIBA competitions.
In his personal life, Exum is part of a basketball-oriented family, with an older brother, Jamaar, and a twin sister, Tierra. His father, Cecil, played college basketball at the University of North Carolina, and his mother also attended North Carolina. Exum is an avid supporter of the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League, evident in his donning of Essendon-inspired shoes during the 2017 NBA All-Star Weekend.
Dante Exum’s basketball journey is marked by resilience, versatility, and international success, making him a prominent figure in both the NBA and Australian basketball.
