Former Jazz Lottery Pick Dante Exum Center of Massive EuroLeague Brawl

Some former NBA players got into a scuffle during the Euroleague playoffs, one being a former member of the Utah Jazz. That Jazz player was the 2014 lottery pick, Dante Exum. He, along with the former Boston Celtics' 2016 first-round pick, Guerschon Yabusele, were the two main factors in the brawl.

Concerns for Australian basketball star Dante Exum after an ugly brawl broke out between Real Madrid and Partizan.

Exum left the stadium on crutches after the incident.

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The part of this altercation that really got people (and social media) talking was the choke and the slam by Yabusele, and rightfully so. Exum even suffered an injury as a result of the slam, putting him on crutches on his way out of the arena. The injury he sustained was later revealed to be a ruptured toe tendon.

Both players released statements after the altercation on social media. Here's what Exum had to say:

"It's been a crazy 24 hours, but the team of doctors here are doing everything they can to treat the injury I suffered during the altercation. My focus is to do whatever it takes to get back and continue this journey to bring Belgrade and its fans the Euroleague title it deserves!" - Dante Exum via Instagram

Yabusele also released an apology on his Instagram:

"I deeply regret my behavior at last night's game. 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." - Guerschon Yabusele via Instagram.

Before the altercation occurred, Exum was having a stellar game, putting up a game-high 19 points before Yabusele decided to slam him into the hardwood and end his night prematurely. In his 35 games played so far this EuroLeague season, the 27-year-old guard is averaging 13.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game.

Exum was a long-time guard for the Jazz from 2014-2020, coming into the league with some lofty expectations to be one of the next great point guards in Jazz history. With a lanky build, standing 6'5 has a prototypical size for a modern NBA guard. Combined with the upside he had as a defender and playmaker, Exum had the tools to be a productive player at the next level.

However, Exum never was able to get his footing in the league for the Jazz. He suffered a knee injury that kept him out of the 2015-16 season, never shot the ball at an efficient rate, and was never able to develop his playmaking; averaging 2.2 assists and 1.3 turnovers across his Jazz career.

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