Aussies in NBA: Exum suffers possible ACL injury in Slovenia
This might be the most unwelcome news yet. Dante Exum went down with a knee injury while playing against Slovenia, and will return to Salt Lake City.
The injury to Exum's left knee happened on a non-contact drive to the hoop. He drove in, planted his feet presumably to get a floater off, and the left knee gave way.
https://vine.co/v/eHUJpdMhWFg
Whilst watching the replay above, one can't help but have recollections of Chicago superstar Derrick Rose's ACL injury back in 2012.
Exum's injury was promptly attended to by Basketball Australia medical staff. The guard had his knee taped, and was provided with the use of crutches after.
https://twitter.com/MrDee25/status/628657700721815553
Utah Jazz PR has issued a medical update on Exum's status, describing it as a "left knee injury" and confirming that further medical evaluation will be done by medical staff from the Jazz and University of Utah Health Care.
Basketball Australia has issued a media release, confirming that Boomers head coach Andrej Lemanis will make adjustments to the team in preparation for the FIBA Oceania Championships. A press conference will be held on Friday morning upon the Boomers' return.
To have an injury like this strike one of Australia's rising basketball stars is certainly a blow not only to the Boomers' journey to Rio 2016, but also to the Utah Jazz. Let us sit tight and hope for the best, that this will not be an ACL injury, but something less severe.