Jazz select Dante Exum at No. 5, Rodney Hood at No. 23


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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Jazz selected Dante Exum with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft.

Exum comes from Australia averaging 18.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.

In high school, Exum lead his team to the 2013 Australian School Championship, in addition to helping the U19 Australian National Team advance to the semifinals in the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship. He was named to the All-Tournament Team in the 2013 U19 World Championships.

"It's an unbelievable experience to be drafted. It's just a crazy feeling. I can't wait to get to Utah," Exum said.

Dante Exum Profile


Exum was projected to go in the top four of the draft, but slid down to the Jazz at the fifth pick. Despite the small slide, Exum said he was not disappointed.

"I wasn't disappointed," he said. "I was like ‘I'm going to a place with a rich history and a good team culture.' "

Describing himself, Exum said: "I'm just a kid from Melbourne, Australia looking to come into the program to work hard. I'm here for a reason and I'm ready to get the job done. I'm here to win."

Exum is an explosive combo guard that should work well with Trey Burke in the back court. His explosiveness and ability to finish at the rim should make Exum a viable franchise-building player for the Jazz.

The Jazz then drafted Duke's Rodney Hood with the No. 23 overall pick. Hood averaged 16.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Hood is a decent forward that can get his shot off well.

Hood was named to the 2014 All-ACC Second Team by the coaches and media.

With the 35th pick in the draft the Jazz selected Tennessee's Jarnell Stokes, but was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies for a second round pick in the 2016 draft. Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey said the organization really liked Stokes, but felt trading him was a better option.

Despite rumors prior to the draft that Cleveland may trade the No. 1 overall pick, the Cavaliers decided to stay and select Kansas' Andrew Wiggins. Also selected before the Jazz drafted at No. 5 were: Duke's Jabari Parker at No. 2 for the Milwaukee Buck, Kansas' Joel Embiid at No. 3 for the Philadelphia 76ers, and Arizona's Aaron Gordon at No. 4 for the Orlando Magic.

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