It was the bodyslam heard around the basketball world, but Dante Exum has thankfully avoided serious injury, with scans revealing that the Aussie had not suffered the ruptured toe tendon injury that was initially feared, according to Telegraf.
Exum was slammed to the floor by Guerschon Yabusele during a violent brawl between Euroleague teams KK Partizan and Real Madrid, with Exum bearing the brunt of the clash.
Former Boston Celtic Guerschon Yabusele slams Dante Exum to the ground during a brawl between Real Madrid and Partizan!
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) April 27, 2023
(Via @BasketNews_com) pic.twitter.com/5OVxoFUoRy
This is good news not just for Exum and Partizan, but for Australian basketball fans, who are banking on him playing a significant role in the Boomers' upcoming FIBA World Cup campaign.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Boomers head coach Brian Goorjian said that the Boomers are counting on Exum to be healthy in time for the World Cup.
“(The body slam) was horrible,” Goorjian said.
“I hope his injury isn’t serious.
“All the Boomers support Dante, he is a major piece for our World Cup campaign.”
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While he may have avoided serious toe injury, he still left the arena worse for wear, suffering a cut lip and chipped teeth, and left the arena on crutches.
The fallout extends beyond Exum as well; the Euroleague's independent judiciary opting to fine both teams 50,000 Euro and suspending four players for their role in the incident, including Exum's assailant Yabusele suspended for five games.
Yabusele took to Instagram in the wake of the brawl, apologising to Exum, both teams and their fans.
"I deeply regret my behavior at last night’s game," Yabusele said.
"Basketball is about sportsmanship and friendship. My sincere apologies to Partizan, a club with which we have always had a great relationship, to Dante Exum and his family, to my teammates, my club, and all the fans."
It won't be long until these teams face off again, with Real Madrid traveling to Belgrade to take on Partizan this Wednesday.
