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Dante Exum NBA Draft 2014 Rumors: Australian PG Only Interviews at Combine, Still Impresses Evaluators

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Dante Exum could be the lone international player taken toward the top of a very deep NBA Draft class coming out of college this year, so what makes him special?

SB Nation noted scouts agree he is a "nice kid," but he also said he intends to play point guard even though his six-foot-six frame could be better suited for a swingman. Exum said he enjoys the leadership role, but was not ready for a transition to the NBA until this year.

"Around this time (last year) I didn't think I could go into the NBA Draft," he told reporters during the NBA Draft combine interview portion. "After my world championship and having coaches advise me and saying I was in the projected top five, it kind of made me realize I've got a good chance to be in a great draft class and get to my dream straight away."

This year, Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker and Joel Embiid - possibly the top three players in the draft - skipped the combine altogether. Like Julius Randle, Exum attended, but did not participate in workouts.

"I'm ready for this situation and that's why I'm here. I've been away from home since I was 15 at a campus. It's kind of like college in a way. That taught me how to be a professional and how to handle myself in situations like this," Exum said. "The most important thing I've learned is what on the court gets you in the NBA and what off the court keeps you in the NBA. That's one thing I've taken very seriously. How I prepare for games, prepare for my workouts."

Exum was born and raised in Australia and NBADraft.net ranks him a 95 overall with no true weaknesses in his game. Comparatively, Wiggins and Parker each have a 99 rating and are considered "can't-miss" prospects by most evaluators.

In today's NBA, Exum's size could allow him to play at least three positions, point guard, shooting guard and small forward. His natural position is point guard and his size makes him an interesting prospect. Since he declared for the draft, ESPN's Chad Ford, an NBA insider, has kept Exum in the first five selections.

"I'm a point guard," Exum told reporters. "I like to lead a team. I've been put into position on all the teams I've been (on) to lead by example, on and off the floor. I'm a player that likes to beat a man off the dribble and make the defense have to help and open up players. I think that's where I excel in my game."

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