Dante Exum has chosen to forego college and declare for the upcoming 2014 NBA draft. The highly-touted Australian is projected to be a top five pick and the first point guard off the board, ESPN reports.
"We are excited to be working with Landmark Sports," Exum and his parents said in a statement to ESPN. "Our family felt The Landmark Team represented our style and manner of treating people, and in doing businesses. We also all shared a common commitment to achieving excellence in all things. The fit is just great and we are really pleased to now begin the work."
Rob Pelinka and Brandon Rosenthal of Landmark Sports will represent the 18-year-old. Pelinka represents big-name clients such as Kobe Bryant, James Harden and Andre Iguodala.
Exum began interviewing agents in December. At the time, he was uncertain if he wanted to attend a college in the United States.
"...He found the recruiting process to be a little distasteful and has (kept) himself fair insulated from recruiting schools," Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld wrote on Dec. 3.
Exum is considered to be the best point guard of the 2014 class. ESPN ranks him No. 4 in its Top 100, and it's possible, depending on which team gets the No. 1 pick, Exum could go ahead of freshmen stars Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker.
Exum's name ascended draft boards after big performances in last year's Nike Hoop Summit and the FIBA U-19 championships.
Chad Ford of ESPN assesses down Exum's skill set:
"Exum can play both guard positions and has the ideal blend of athleticism and skill. However, scouts believe that ultimately he'll be an NBA point guard with elite size (6-foot-6, 188 pounds) as he is very quick with the ball and gets to the rim almost effortlessly.
"His jump shot is still a work in progress - the primary weakness in his game. If he were playing college ball in the U.S., many NBA scouts believe he would be a serious contender for the No. 1 overall pick."
