i just hope no one dunks on him

Martin backs teen Boomer Exum

Martin said despite his youth, Martin says Exum has a big future.

"Another two, three, four years down the track and he's going to be a solid player amongst this mix.

"He's got all the talent in the world already.

"The coach has brought him in for a reason and it's going to be a learning curve more than anything and he's taken it all on board and is holding it like a 20, 21-year-old."

All very well to say LC, but you know A Bogut and J Khazzouh were not invited to the Boomer at this age and were not in state teams either but they have proven themselves to be some of the best bb players in the world. The coach is not alway right

Has Andrew Gaze got a son?
Would love to see that match up Gaze v Exum.

Andrew does have a son, but he's only about 10.

Brown "OK Dante you stand under the bucket, yeah thats it right there. OK Everyone else grab a ball. What we are going to do now is practice finishing strong at the rim. When i blow this whistle every one run in and dunk the ball.

Dante you know what to do right? yeah thats right you just stand there."

IMO - he shouldnt make the team cos at the moment he is still not physically strong enough.
He still doesnt have a controlled left dribble and in all honesty is a fast break player only.......
In a tight situation he isnt able to get the job done, - re last years Nationals GF

Still has HUGE potential but needs another 1 maybe 2 years to bulk out

Great to give him a chance to work out with the squad.

I don't see him playing for another 2/3 years, but the experience should be positive and make him a better player in the future.

This then makes the Boomers a better team in the future, I don't see what is wrong with it.

ANON -He is the best in the country for the position he plays - I can not see him as a no. 5 Big man LOL.

Been trying to find out what his height is?

Anyone got any idea?
He looks like he has a wide wingspan (long arms)

I say the best of luck to him, anyone who gets a call up to train with the Boomers at 15 has got to be good or huge potential value.

6'4 - 6'5 H and yes slighter better than norm wing span

MACDUB, I didn't say anything, I only reported what was stated in the article.

FWIW, I don't think he should have been invited to the camp, but then again I don't think a lot of the other players there should have either.

From the BA website FYI:

Rising talent Dante Exum, 15, shines at Boomers camp

The youngest player on record to be invited to a Boomers camp - Andrew Gaze was 16 years of age when he first made a Boomers squad...

The Golden Star Boomers team is expected to be named tomorrow, before the scheduled press conference at 12 noon local time (2.00pm AEDT).

Basketball on tv. Yipee!

I agree, ease up on the kid. He only helping out at training and getting some terrific experience.

Congrat's to him!

My oh my....what a disgrace!!! Australia's biggest basketball fans mocking and putting down a 16 year old kid who clearly is the future of Boomers Basketball.

As his coach last year at Keilor, I feel it necessary to defend Dante - He's a great kid, highly coachable and will charm the pants off you all when given the opportunity. Dante has much more to his game than a fast break - do your research! He just hit a 3 pt basket to send a game against the US into OT on route to scoring 34 points against the US team. He's a good shooter and has the necessary work ethic to become a great shooter, he's defense is outstanding and he passes more than most scorers. He's very emotive and possesses great desire to win.

This forum has clear guidelines on this sort of talk about junior players and the fact Dante is Cecil Exum's son seems to make you all feel you can say as you like. Just remember Dante is 16 and 16 year olds spend alot of time on the net - I for one want to see Dante playing in a Boomers jersey sooner rather than later and I'm confident you all will too in the coming years.

Go Dante!!!

The Perth game is also being replayed from 8-10am Saturday, and the Singapore game from 6-8am Tuesday (last time I checked!).

Well Dante if it is true that you spend a lot of time on the net and you are reading this, can you tell us whether you dunk on your dad like Andrew Gaze used to?

flat_eric cannot touch the net, only himself and only on warm days.

perhaps you can tell this guy how your Dad went to college with Michael Jordan and won an NCCA title...

http://www.hoops.com.au/forum/9825-get-your-f2A2Aking-facts-correct/

flat_eric - some context on the above Gaze-related posts. This will NEVER stop being funny.

Think AFL pre-season games where quite a few 1st and second year players get a game, to see how they cope with the greater pressure. Not a bad idea to blood a few basketball youngsters in a Boomers squad or even sit on the bench for a few friendlies.

Ricky Rubio was 17 when he represented Spain in Beijing.

Hands up if you want Kyrie Irving? Only 3 years older than Exum and likely (if given the chance) to choose the USA over Australia at the earliest opportunity.

If he bleeds green and gold (so to speak)and shows great potential then he should get the exposure, just like the 3 eighteen year olds who represented Australia in friendlies back in 1987 against the might of then international powerhouse USSR (that's the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for those under the age of 20 - Google it and while your at it try to guess the three young Australians!).

Gaze,Bratke,Longley?

Vlahov, Bradke and Longley

Gaze and Vlahov would be my first two guesses, but I don't recall Longley or Bradtke playing in this series. So would think the third player would be either Damian Keogh or Larry Sengstock?

Vlahov, Bradtke, Longley.

I have had moments of Mad Cow so my memory can make a fool of me sometimes but I recall being excited as all hell because a young 6'10 kid who lived down the road was selected to play against the USSR without even having played an NBL game (along with some other big kid with big red hair and some kid from WA who sounded Russian).

I'm pretty certain they played against the USSR but I can accept being wrong.

Oh and FYI Gaze was 22 at the time. Don't know how old Keogh was but he would have been in the frame because Wayne Carroll was reaching the end of his international career.

What about Rhys Martin , a Boomer ,averaged 3to 4 point per game last year.
Not good at any level and too small with limited skills.

I've coached against Dante and his brother recently and let me say the kid is NBA bound.

Unbelievable effortless gracefullness.. best prospect we've ever had.

Dante was captain and a key player in the Australian U17 3 game sweep over New Zealand recently. The kid is progressing very very well and has a big future in the sport.

Wonder if UNC are looking at signing him????

TV piece on Dante from last week's "Contact Sport":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyrV5YxOeVg

dante is great u haters are just jealous because your not 6'4 and u cant dunk. malcolm osafo

Go Boomers