Australian basketballer Dante Exum has signed a three-month deal with Barcelona in the Liga ACB and the Euroleague.
The signing comes after Exum was waived by the Houston Rockets in the NBA earlier this year, but has found a home for the next three months with the Spanish giants.
The 26-year-old is coming off an impressive Olympic campaign with the Boomers, playing a vital role off the bench, averaging nine points and 2.8 assists in what led to a bronze medal for the Boomers, their first medal in Olympic history.
๐@daanteee, a reinforcement for the perimeter
โ 26-year-old Australian guard signs until February 28
๐https://t.co/DXtxaK3VOy pic.twitter.com/hcfGCoJ0yA
— Barรงa Basket (@FCBbasket) December 7, 2021
The Melbourne native chose to bypass college in America and was picked up with pick five by the Utah Jazz in the 2014 NBA draft.
Since his rookie season in 2014, Exum has been plagued by injuries which have held back his NBA potential.
In 2019, Exum was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers and was then traded to the Houston Rockets in January 2021 as part of the James Harden trade, but did not play any games due to injury before being waived in October.
Exum will look to cover the loss of Barca guards Nick Calathes and Cory Higgins, who have both been ruled out with injury until early next year.
๐๐ @daanteee: โIโm excited, itโs a great opportunityโ pic.twitter.com/VOkQxqz1d0
— Barรงa Basket (@FCBbasket) December 7, 2021
Barcelona are the reigning champions in the Liga ACB and are going for their 17th title, with Exum looking to help the team go back-to-back.
The Aussie point guard will still have an opportunity to return to the NBA as teams will be able to finalise their rosters before the playoffs begin.
Throughout his 245 games in the NBA, Exum averaged 5.7 points, 2.1 assists and 1.8 assists whilst playing 18.6 minutes per game.