Dante Exum (Melbourne, Australia, 1995) is living his best moment with Barça after landing last December to help out on the outside with injuries to Higgins and Abrines. Now, after feeling fully integrated and playing at a high level, the end of his temporary contract with Barça is approachingwhich must confirm if it continues until the end of the season or both decide to end their short relationship.
Dante, how is your experience in Barcelona?
So far it’s been amazing! I came without knowing much about the team, but everyone welcomed me like one of their own, teammates, coaching staff, and I felt good from the first day, and wanted to adapt as quickly as possible, which I managed quite well.
Do you have the feeling that your game has won the last few weeks?
I always try to help where I can and I have tried to play my part in different circumstances. Over time, I feel more comfortable and confident and that has also helped my game.
Adapted to Barca
Was it difficult to adapt to Barça when you arrived?
Yes, one of the main differences between the NBA and European basketball is that it is played in the post, with more presence of centers in the game and I tried to adapt to it. The pace is much less frenetic than in the NBA, but I also like this style.
Exum has had to adapt to Barça’s style of play and Saras has not stopped supporting him
| AFP
The public also plays an important role in Europe. It surprised him?
On some tracks, the atmosphere is incredible, and on some of them, like the Red Star, I remember that I couldn’t stop looking everywhere because I wasn’t used to it. Without a doubt, in the NBA games are not followed with such passion in the stands, and I love those intense environments.
Looking back, are you satisfied with the decision to come to Barça?
It was a great decision to come to Barça, enjoy the Endesa League and play matches against rivals like Madrid, a type of rivalry that must be experienced if you play for Barça and Europe.
So far it’s been amazing! I came without knowing much, but the whole team welcomed me as one more, teammates and coaching staff and helped me integrate quickly
Now they meet again this Friday…
Well better! We always like to face the best and Madrid is being our direct rival in Europe and the League. We always feel the pressure to beat Madrid, but every game is important and that doesn’t change it.
The team has put the direct again, right?
Yes. We had a bad time with injuries and then many cases of covid, as happened to me, but the team has found the way again and we reach this stage of the season at a very good time.
Does your good physical condition influence your game?
Definitely. Right now I feel very good, perhaps the best moment in a long time after the injuries that have affected my career. I have been working on my own, very hard, and now I feel great.
You are a very athletic player, who puts on a show and the fans love that…
I always try to show my speed, but that explosiveness in the open field sometimes has to be controlled, but I love it, it’s true.
I always try to show my speed, but sometimes you have to control that explosiveness in the open field, but I love it, it’s true
What aspect of the game are you most comfortable with?
I feel more comfortable defensively, with my old habits, my shooting has also improved and I have been shooting with more confidence. I always try to do the job Saras asks of me and I think I’ve improved a lot in the last few weeks.
A contract that expires in February
His contract with Barça expires at the end of the month. It will continue?
I still have two or three weeks to decide what will happen to my future. I can only say that it is a decision that has not yet been made.
I still have two or three weeks to decide what will happen to my future. I can only say that it is a decision that has not yet been made
Has Barça made you a proposal to extend your contract?
It’s something we’re talking about but I can’t reveal. When the time comes, we will know which way the club and I take.
Returning to the NBA is a priority for you?
If the opportunity arises, I will do it, but it has to be the right bet. I want to see how I feel, but I must first decide my future with Barça
Do you have offers on the table?
It is an issue that my agent is dealing with, and if I decide to go to the NBA this season, then I will value them, but I keep saying that Barça is now first.
If you finally decide to go to the NBA. How will you remember his time in Barcelona?
I love the city, the food, shopping… At the club they treat me wonderfully and I can only say good things about the fans, with their full support, many times they wait for me to take photos. Without a doubt, coming to Barça was the best decision I made at the time and that makes me happy.