Over the years, many international players have become legends at the Dallas Mavericks. Even if you aren’t a Mavs fan, you probably know all about Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic. One player who has a shot at being mentioned in the same breath as Dirk and Luka is Dante Exum.

Exum joined Dallas back in 2023, and he’s been a great role player for them so far. Ever since he joined the Mavs, a lot of us have wondered about the star’s origins. After all, with a resume as diverse as his, having played in the EuroLeague for Barcelona after leaving the Cavs, it’s hard not to let our minds wander. So, let’s waste no time in trying to satiate our curiosity.

Where is Dante Exum from? What’s the Mavericks star’s nationality?

Dante Exum comes from a place where Christmas means beach trips instead of snowstorms, where kangaroos might outnumber people, and where the sun blazes high while much of the world bundles up for winter. If that hasn’t given it away yet—yes, the Mavs star is proudly Australian. 

He was born in Melbourne, where he also grew up. But you may be surprised to learn that he’s ethnically an American. His parents originally hailed from the States. Although, somewhat ironically, he was a key player in the World Select Team that thrashed Team USA at the Nike Hoop Summit back in 2013.

However, with his growing talents, soon Australia no longer had a place that could accommodate him. Which is when he made a decision that would forever change his life.

What is Dante Exum’s Religion? Who are his parents?

While Dante Exum’s Australian roots and American lineage are well known, the topic of his religious beliefs is one he’s kept close to the chest. Exum has never publicly shared much—if anything—about his faith or spiritual leanings. In an era where many athletes are open about their religious affiliations, Exum chooses privacy, letting his game speak louder than his personal life.

Dante Exum’s athletic genes definitely run deep. His father, Cecil Exum, not only played alongside Michael Jordan and James Worthy at UNC, but also carved out a solid professional career in Australia’s NBL, which eventually became home for the family. Cecil’s influence on Dante’s basketball path can’t be overstated—his move to Australia essentially set the stage for Dante’s international rise.

On the other hand, his mother, Desiree Exum, brought the speed to the family. A former track star at UNC, she has since built a professional life outside of sports, working for IBM and currently residing in Singapore. That global upbringing probably helped shape Dante’s cool, composed demeanor both on and off the court.

Together, Cecil and Desiree hold dual American and Australian citizenship, which Dante also inherited, giving him a unique cultural blend that reflects in how he carries himself as a player and a person.

Did Dante Exum attend college? When was he drafted in the NBA?

Exum graduated from Lake Ginninderra Secondary College in 2013 after helping the school win a national championship. It was evident that he was among the best hoopers in the country, someone who was ready to test his mettle against the best in the world. This is why Dante decided that it was best he took his talents to America. To that end, he signed with Landmark Sports, declaring for the 2014 NBA Draft.

The Utah Jazz selecting him as the 5th pick overall only vindicated his decision. Exum was now standing among giants in the sport, both literally and figuratively. And it was now time for him to show America the dominance he’d shown in the land down under.

However, his career in the NBA didn’t get off to the start he’d have liked. He ended his first season with 4.8 ppg in 41 starts—not the numbers you’d want for someone you picked so early in the Draft. You’d expect this would be a wake-up call for Dante to work on his production. Rather disappointingly, though, he’s still yet to cross the 10 ppg mark in an NBA season. This is the case even in his latest season as a Mavs player.

However, we can’t simply blame Dante for this. Injuries have plagued the 29-year-old’s NBA career so far. Remember the separated shoulder he suffered in 2017/18 that ruled him out for 68 games? He’s battled through adversity every time to come back on to the court stronger. But it feels like he’s cursed after

It hasn’t been an easy career for Dante. So far, the insane potential we saw in his early career remains yet unfulfilled. However, we still hold out hope that he can bounce back from his injury and come back stronger than ever for the Dallas Mavericks!