SYDNEY — Utah Jazz draft pick Dante Exum is among four NBA players picked in an Australian squad that heads to the World Cup of Basketball in Spain next month without injured Andrew Bogut and Patty Mills.
NBA championship-winning San Antonio Spurs point guard Mills underwent shoulder surgery this month and isn't expected to play until next year, while Golden State Warriors center Bogut ruled himself ineligible as he recovers from a fractured rib.
Along with Exum, Australia coach Andrej Lemanis included NBA players Aron Baynes of the Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers' point guard Matthew Dellavedova and Cameron Bairstow, who was drafted by the Chicago Bulls last month.
Also in the 17-man preliminary squad named Tuesday are six players from Australia's National Basketball League and five European-based stars.