NBA 2014 Draft - Dante Exum Declares For The Draft As Dark Horse For Top Overall Pick; Aussie Hoops Phenom Skips College To Fulfill Hoop Dreams

The NBA 2014 Draft has one of the big names guaranteed. Dante Exum, the Australian phenomenon that led the a gallant stand by the U19 boys from down under against a powerhouse Team USA, will skip college and join the pros.

Exum also hired agents Rob Pelinka and Brandon Rosenthal of Landmark Sports Agency. The breaking news came from Chad Ford of ESPN. The official statement from Exum and his parents was also released by the sports network: "We are excited to be working with Landmark Sports. 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."

As an NBA rule, when players hire agents, that means they cannot back out of the draft anymore. Thus, Dante Exum is a sure thing for June. New agent Rob Pelinka also aired his statement:  "We are thrilled and honored to be working with Dante and his family. As the NBA continues to expand its brand around the world, we feel like Dante's international story comes at a perfect time. We also believe that, with continued hard work and focus, Dante is destined to be a 'franchise' point guard in this next generation of great NBA players."

How high can he go? Is he really a 'franchise' point guard? From Sporting News, one NBA executive shared: "He can play the point at his size, but he has the quickness and athleticism to play off the ball. He does everything. When it comes to guard in this draft, he has moved ahead of a guy like (Oklahoma State's) Marcus Smart. By the time all is said and done, he will be in the mix for the No. 1 spot."

Marcus Smart skipped last year's draft and is considered the top prospect at the 'one' spot. Some weaknesses in his game were noted by NBA scouts. Exum, on the other hand, is training by himself. Some GMs consider him as a risk as they have not seen him play as yet. However, his size and 'upside' are too tempting to resist.