Dante Exum: From Australia to the Big Apple
Dante Exum took the train up from Philadelphia on Monday night, to kick off a whirlwind 72-hour run through New York City in which he'd meet the mayor, take in Times Square ("It's not as big as it looks in Spider-Man") and, of course, attend the 2014 NBA Draft, where he'd be chosen fifth overall by the Utah Jazz.
It was the first time the Australian sensation had ever been to the Big Apple, and Rolling Stone rode along with Exum and his family as they experienced everything NYC had to offer…starting with the Statue of Liberty.
"This is my first time in New York," Dante says. "So I asked 'What's the most touristy thing we can do?'" By James Montgomery
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All in the Family
Exum poses for a pic with his brother Jamaar, dad Cecil (who played ball with Michael Jordan at the University of North Carolina) and twin sister Tierra. Dante knew from an early age that he wanted to play professionally, but his parents preached the benefits of a college education. Guess who won out in the end?
"They wanted me to go to college, but they always knew it was my decision," Dante says. "Because the ultimate goal is the NBA."
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‘Designer’ Shades at Discount Prices
In Battery Park, a streetwise salesman attempts to sell the Exums knockoff sunglasses. He thinks they're easy prey, but Dante's mom Desiree proves otherwise. He's asking for $25 a pair, she counters with an offer of $15, and, after some haggling, the deal is struck, and the soon-to-be NBA lottery pick has a brand-new pair of bootleg Ray-Bans to call his own.
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Up Close and Personal With Lady Liberty
Dante takes a photo of the Statue of Liberty. This may be the first time he's been to New York City, but, like all tourists, he's seen Lady Liberty on film. His take on the actual thing?
"I thought it would be bigger," he laughs. "It's not that it's not big, it just looks bigger in the movies."
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Momma’s Boy
Dante jokes with his mom, Desiree. A former high school track star, she's not only responsible for some of his athletic prowess, but, as his close adviser, she's helping build a mini empire. Exum currently has endorsement deals with Adidas, Red Bull and trading-card company Panini, and mom is always on hand to make sure his portfolio only continues to grow.
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First Autograph of the Day
In one of his new Adidas commercials, Dante is mocked for "practicing his autograph." Here, he puts that practice to good use, signing for a NYC Parks employee who wished him good luck in the draft, then added "Come to the Knicks!" Too bad they didn't have a first-round pick.
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All Together Now
The entire Exum clan poses for a picture aboard a ferry bound for the Statue of Liberty. They'll be with him throughout the week, and will be the first people he embraces after being drafted by the Jazz. The guy shooting the pic? He's a rep for Red Bull, there to make sure no matter what he does, Dante remains on brand.
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Same Subject, Different Angles
Cecil Exum and his son take two different approaches to shooting the Statue of Liberty. The eldest Exum was drafted by the Denver Nuggets, but became a star playing for several teams in Australia. Did Cecil want his son to follow in his footsteps at the University of North Carolina?
"That was the initial goal, but when this came about, we decided 'Why not strike why the iron was hot?'" he says. "We think he's made the best decision. The league is getting younger in all aspects, and he's ready to play professionally."
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Next Stop: New Jersey
After meeting Lady Liberty, the Exums embark on a trip to New Jersey, traveling to Red Bull Arena where Dante will meet another friend of the brand, soccer great Thierry Henry. Turns out, Dante's not only an avid soccer fan, but he's skilled at the FIFA '14 video game, too.
"I play Call of Duty, Titanfall, and I love FIFA. I've been beating my brother Jamaar at that," he laughs. "Make sure to put that in there. I beat my brother at FIFA."
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Backstage at Barclays
Exum laughs with an NBA rep minutes after he is drafted by the Utah Jazz. He'd spend most of the night meeting team reps and doing interviews, but he did find the occasional moment to reflect on his newfound professional status.
"It's unbelievable, a dream come true. The five minutes in-between picks were the longest of my life," he says. "As soon as I heard my name called, all I could think was 'Don't trip.'"
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Getting Ready to Meet the Media
Exum's professional career began just after 8 p.m., but his initiation lasted for several hours. Here, he prepares for the first stop on his post-draft press tour: a conference room filled with leading NBA journalists. Before entering the fray, he's briefed by a representative for his new team, who offers pointers like "Remember, we have a new coach."