Australia's basketball stars have been in high demand during the NBA's free agency period with Patty Mills, Joe Ingles and Aron Baynes both inking new multi-million dollar deals.
For Dante Exum, one of the seven Australian's currently playing in the top competition in the world - there's a belief the Boomers are ready to shine on the biggest stage after just missing out on a medal at last year’s Rio Olympics.
"I think it just woke up the world to the fact that Australians are good. I think people aren't going to take us lightly in the next world championships and Olympics," Exum said.
The 21-year old, who inked a multi-million dollar deal to ply his trade as a rookie in Utah in 2014, has lofty ambitions for what he can achieve next season.
The point guard is eager to trace the footsteps of some of his national teammates like Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Mills and Aron Baynes, who have celebrated success with an NBA Championship.
"Anyone in the NBA not trying to win a title in the sport is crazy, that is the ultimate goal," Exum said.
"It’s all about winning the championships. Getting a taste and playing playoffs this year just drove that hunger even more."
"Anyone in the NBA not trying to win a title in the sport is crazy," says Dante Exum in Australia training the next gen basketball stars. Source: SBS World News
Like father, like son
The Melbourne born product, whose father played college basketball in North Carolina in a Tar Heels side boasting the great Michael Jordan has been lucky enough to learn from some of the greatest names in basketball.
A highlight of Exum's training regime, the closed door early morning session with LA Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.
"I got there at 5am and I was warming up and he arrived and he was straight on the court. The thing I remember the most was that everything was so detailed. Something that was a little sloppy he was like: "No in a game someone is stealing that, you need to practice how you play and play to the rhythm of the game", and it was just such an intense experience," Exum said.
The fifth pick in the 2014 draft has found the challenge of expectation and a season ending knee injury hard to manage.
But he believes it has made him a more complete player.
"There is nothing like being at home getting those home cooked meals night in and night out. I haven't been back home in a year now, but you have to make sacrifices if you want something. So that is why I have stayed over there and tried to work out as much as possible so that when I do get home I can kind of take a bit of a breather," Exum said.
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