Dante Exum
Oct 21, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum (11) handles the ball while being guarded by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Sebastian Telfair (31) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. REUTERS/Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Utah Jazz confirmed Aussie point guard Dante Exum has a torn ACL on his left knee, according to MRI results. Exum, a second year guard for the Jazz, suffered the knee injury during Australia’s friendly game against Slovenia on Wednesday.

Exum is part of the Jazz’s core of young talents alongside Trey Burke, Alec Burks, Gordon Hayward and Rudy Gobert. After a promising finish last season, the Jazz had been hoping for a strong play-off push in the Western Conference. However, general manager Dennis Lindsey said that the team’s focus at the moment is Exum’s recovery and long-term health.

"We are continuing to work closely with our medical staff, Dante and his representation in order to reach an accurate diagnosis and recommended treatment so that we can provide him with the best possible care. We all know how hard he will work to make a full recovery and look forward to his return to play,” Lindsey said, reports ESPN.

Exum suffered the knee injury during the second period of Australia’s tune-up game in Ljubljana. The Australian youngster’s left knee buckled after a non-contact drive to the basket. Exum needed help to leave the court and did not return to the game. He went back to the Boomers’ bench late in the fourth quarter with his knees strapped and on crutches. Utah radio host Tim Montemayor claimed on Twitter yesterday that Exum was initially diagnosed with a torn ACL before heading to Utah for further medical evaluation.

Despite a lackluster debut in his rookie season, Utah is confident Exum would blossom in his second year with the team. However, after a torn ACL was confirmed, the 20-year-old guard’s development with Jazz would likely be delayed until next year.

Exum is expected to not only miss Boomers’ FIBA Oceania Championship campaign, but presumably the upcoming NBA season as well, with a torn ACL typically requiring a lengthy recovery process. Exum also suffered an ankle injury during the NBA Summer League in June. The Jazz drafted Exum in 2014 as the No. 5 pick overall. He averaged 4.8 points and 2.4 assists, while starting 41 regular season games.

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