Dante Exum training with the Victorian under-18 squad. 75953 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
BY MICHAEL ESPOSITO
DANTE Exum’s schedule over the next few months is daunting.
It includes training with the Victorian under-18s basketball team in the lead-up to the April nationals in Perth, try-outs for the under-17 and under-19 Australian basketball side, and a tour of China with the Australian Institute of Sport next month.
Exum was captain of the Australian under-17 side during the FIBA Oceania Championships last year, in which the team qualified for the FIBA world championships in Lithuania in June. He was the leading scorer during the series.
He is expected to be selected again.
The 16-year-old recently returned from an Australian under-19 selection camp, and if he is selected, will compete in a qualifying series in New Zealand in September, where Australia will be looking for a 2013 World under-19 championships berth.
Exum’s status as one of the most promising young basketballers in Australia has earned him his second Don Deeble Rising Star Award nomination.
The award, run by Sunshine and Western Region Sports Club in conjunction with Yarraville Cricket Club and Star News Group, rewards each monthly nominee with $1000, a six-month membership to Sunshine World Gym, and a voucher for New Balance runners. The annual winner, announced in June, will receive $5000 plus other prizes.
The Seabrook resident, who represents Keilor Basketball Club locally, said there’s still a lot about his game which he can work on, and he realised just how much he needed to sharpen his skills and understanding of the game after being invited to the Australian Boomers camp in June last year.
He was the youngest player ever to be invited to the senior team’s camp.
“It was a really good experience, it gave me the chance to understand what the Boomers are about and what I need to do now to make the Boomers squad and team,” he said.
“It was an eye-opener with how I need to be at training to play at an international level.”
He said he identified his shooting and defence and two aspects of his game he needed to improve.
Exum said it was a challenge keeping up his hectic and punishing schedule.
“Whenever I get recovery time, I have to really use it, if it’s doing ice baths or hot and cold showers, so I can perform the next day.”
To nominate for the Don Deeble Rising Star Ward, contact Star’s sports department on 9933 4810 or starsport@starnewsgroup.com.au.
