Dante Exum, considered one of the top prospects eligible for the 2014 NBA draft, told ESPN that if he opts to play college basketball, he will not enroll in December.
The 6-foot-6 Australian has rocketed up draft boards recently after strong showings at the Under-19 Championships and the Nike Hoop Summit. ESPN's Chad Ford has him listed as the No. 3 overall prospect behind two freshmen -- Kansas small forward Andrew Wiggins and Kentucky power forward Julius Randle.
Exum will graduate from high school in Australia in October, thus fueling speculation that he could play for a college program in December.
"Schools have been saying I can start in early December and play this season," Exum told ESPN. "But if college is the option, I'll stay in Australia, do workouts with the national team and then go to college next August. Playing this season in college is not an option."
Exum, who turns 19 on July 13, told ESPN that he remains 50-50 on whether to bypass college and go to the NBA.
Exum also disclosed his five finalists to ESPN -- Indiana, North Carolina, Kentucky, Michigan and Oregon -- if he chooses to attend college. He said he plans to take visits to the schools after he graduates from high school.