Australian men's basketball coach Andrej Lemanis has warned Dante Exum's new agent to be mindful of the young star's desire to play for the national team when negotiating deals with NBA clubs.
The teenage prodigy last week decided to bypass the US college system and head straight to the professional bigtime in the NBA, signing with the same agency that represents superstar Kobe Bryant.
He is now a projected top-four pick for June's draft - earning him a potential $US5 million ($A5.71 million) first-year rookie contract.
But the 18-year-old has told Lemanis he is committed to playing for Australia whatever the outcome.
And it's a message the Boomers mentor was quick to relay to Landmark Sports Agency's Rob Pelinka.
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"Dante's conveyed that to me and I've spoken to his agent as well," Lemanis told AAP.
"He's made it very clear that he wants to be available for the Boomers and that the national team is very important to him.
"So his agent needs to be mindful of that when dealing with the NBA clubs.
"He's stated his position quite strongly, which is great for us.
"But we'll just see how that plays out."
Exum made his debut for the Boomers against New Zealand at the Oceania Championships last August, playing 11 minutes for four points in two matches.
Lemanis suggested the young guard is a chance of making the squad for this year's World Cup, alongside NBA stars Andrew Bogut and Patty Mills - whose selection will depend on their fitness and availability.
The Boomers are scheduled to play a series against China in May, before Lemanis names a 16-player squad for a five-day camp beginning on July 23 in Canberra.
That will be cut down to 12 before the team leaves for Europe on August 6 for several World Cup warm-up matches.
"Obviously (Dante's) going to go through that draft process and who knows what happens at the other end of it," he said.
"But he has been fantastic."
