Boomers coach Brian Goorjian has given Dante Exum a glowing endorsement as his NBA career hangs in the balance.
Exum, 26, was waived by the Houston Rockets on the eve of the 2021/2022 season after signing a non-guaranteed contract in September.
The No.5 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft impressed for the Boomers in their historic bronze medal campaign at the Tokyo Olympics, averaging nine points and 2.8 assists a game.
Goorjian is “100 per cent” convinced Exum belongs on an NBA roster.
“That’s where the Boomers have got to, you’re in a group where these guys are not only NBA players, but mainstream players, highly respected and key fits like a glove,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“Matisse Thybulle, Josh Green, Joe Ingles, Patty Mills, Aron Baynes, I’ve got all those guys running around on the court, he (Exum) stands out in that.
“There is no doubt in my mind he’s an NBA player.
“When you look at the thing about our team, I don’t know what the others think, but there’s a thing about culture and mateship … the addition of him, he was a tremendous teammate.
“Here’s a guy coming in, uncontracted, he’s been injured for a long period of time and for his country, he played fearless. We get the medal, he’s instrumental in the last two games doing nothing but getting better, he’s healthy.
“There are teams that need different things. If he finds the right situation and given the right opportunity, he’s healthy, he’s motivated and he’s an NBA player.
“Fingers crossed this next step is the right one and he gets that opportunity.”
Exum made six appearances with the Cleveland Cavaliers before he was traded to the Rockets in January.
The Aussie guard didn’t play a game for Houston due to a calf strain.