Australian In The NBA Update: Dante Exum Continue Good Showing

Dante Exum of Australia turned in a respectable effort during his first week in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Even though his team, the Utah Jazz, won just one of four games to start the 2014-2015 NBA Season, Exum’s performance was one of the few good signs for the young ball club.

He averaged just 6.0 points per game but was given 16 minutes per outing— not bad for a 19-year-old who was making his season debut in pro sports. Exum has since maintained those averages and more.

The Australian played five games this week (Nov.5 to Nov. 12, 2014) and logged in 5.6 points per game but more importantly is getting more involved in the Jazz’s offence. He averaged 3.4 assists in the last five including three straight with 5 dimes apiece.

Exum vs. LeBron James and Cleveland Cavaliers (Nov. 5, 2014)

Scoring was off for the Australian in this particular game but he ran the offence well by dishing out five assists. The Jazz upset the Cavaliers, 102-100 courtesy of a buzzer-beater from teammate Gordon Hayward. Exum missed four of five shots but still got major playing time with 25 minutes.

Exum vs. Dallas Mavericks (Nov. 7, 2014)

Two days after turning in a bad shooting night, Exum responded by making 4-of-7 shots against the Dallas Mavericks for 11 points. Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs won via a blowout, 105-82 but the Australian logged in a career-high 27 minutes and also added 5 assists.

Exum vs. Detroit Pistons (Nov. 9, 2014)

Exum followed up his good game against Dallas with a 9-point performance against the lowly Detroit Pistons. He played another 20+ minutes and also dished out another 5 assists. Hayward was the hero once again as the Jazz came back from an 8-point deficit in the middle of the final quarter. Exum played in crunchtime and had a few nice assists to Hayward late in the game.

Exum vs. Indiana Pacers (Nov. 10, 2014), vs. Atlanta Hawks (Nov. 12, 2014)

After three straight respectable games, Exum crashed back to earth struggling in losses to the Indiana Pacers, 97-86 and Atlanta Hawks, 100-97. He only had 3 and 2 points, respectively in the last two and shot a combined 2-of-10 from the field.

Make sure to check IBT Sports for more Australians in the NBA news and Dante Exum updates in the NBA this season.