Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum stormed out of practice on Sunday after apparently getting into a scuffle with rookie teammate Miye Oni.
Oni fouled Exum during a 2-on-2 matchup and things escalated quickly from thereon, according to Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune.
2-on-2 game at practice today, Miye Oni and Kyle Collinsworth vs. Dante Exum and Jarrell Brantley. Really good battle, but it just broke up when Exum drove to the rim, was fouled by Oni, and Exum went to the ground. Exum got back up and was furious at Miye, stormed off the court.
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) October 13, 2019
Larsen notes that Exum was visibly frustrated throughout the course of the scrimmage, and it was clear the Jazz point guard was not at his 100 percent.
To be clear, I don't think Exum got hurt on the play. Would say Oni/Collinsworth had the significant advantage over Exum/Brantley in the 5-10 mins we watched them play. Oni's so athletic, Collinsworth a very good defender. Exum looked tired, though still showed flashes of burst.
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) October 13, 2019
Exum averaged 6.9 points and 2.6 assists in just under 16 minutes per game for the Jazz last season.
The fifth overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Exum has failed to live up to expectations during his time in Utah. He entered the league as a point guard with good size and length, but he has not been much of a playmaker. Moreover, his inability to shoot from the perimeter dooms Utah's spacing concept when he is on the floor.
Exum also tore his ACL during an exhibition with the Australian national team in the summer of 2015, a road block that seems to have stunted his career.
For his part, Oni actually mentioned Exum as one of his veteran mentors, via Tony Jones of The Athletic.
“I asked him when would all of this start clicking,” Oni said. “So, we talked about the offense, and just some of the counters within the offense. It’s been really helpful having someone to talk to. Dante’s always helping me, and always encouraging me. He’s been great for me.”
Oni was drafted at the end of the 2019 NBA Draft out of Yale, and he earned a roster spot when he signed a three-year deal with the Jazz this summer.
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