NBA Draft 2014 News Update: Dante Exum, Australian Star, Could Be No.1 Overall Pick in Draft

Australian hoops wunderkind Dante Exum has steadily boosted his draft stock, putting him perhaps in position to be picked first overall in next year's NBA Draft. In fact, one general manager is very much interested to snub several college basketball prospects for a shot at Exum, whom he considered a once in a generation star.

College Basketball one-and-done freshmen Andrew Wiggins, Jabbari Parker and Julius Randle are the cream of the crop in next year's draft, but the 18-year old phenom from Canberra is making his case down under.

Exum, who is listed as a 6-foot-6, 188-pound point guard, has already drawn the fancy of several NBA scouts because of his outstanding play in high-school level competition in Australia and at last summer's FIBA Under-19 World Championships.

With the entire Australian national team on his back, Exum averaged at least 18 points and three assists through nine games at the FIBA Championships. Recently, Exum dropped 32 points to lead his team, Lake Ginninderra, to a six-point win on Monday.

When asked if Monday's huge ballgame is a statement that he's ready to play on another level, Exum said he's going to take things one step at a time and promised to announce his decision whether he would be joining the 2014 NBA Draft by February.

'To be honest, I haven't been thinking about it too much,'' Exum said. ''I am back home but my mum is still in Singapore, so she is going to head back soon. After that I will make my decision with my whole family," Exum told Sydney Morning Herald.

''I want to get it done by February. It shouldn't be too hard [a decision] to make. But I just want to make sure I use my time right so I make the right decision,'' he added.

First Overall Pick in the Making

According to ESPN NBA insider Chad Form, Exum seems to be a raw talent at present, but the ceiling is high for the Aussie boy because of his skills set and the physical tools he possesses.

One general manager is also willing to ignore Wiggins and company in order to land Exum, considered a crafty young player with unique talent.

"I know everyone is so excited to see Jabari and those guys dominate," one GM told ESPN. "I know the old guard is going to play it safe. But maybe I'm young and foolish, but I think Exum ends up being the guy everyone wishes they took in a few years.

"All of them are going to be great, but when you watch Exum, you see the ability to be a generational talent. My owner might kill me, but I think you take Exum, regardless of what the other guys do this year. Exum's already proved it to me." the GM told ESPN via Sports Kings.