Given its proximity to the AIS, Lake Ginninderra College’s sporting alumni has included some of Australia’s biggest hitters.

Students have included Socceroos superstars Lucas Neill, Mark Viduka and Brett Emerton, swimming golden girl Petria Thomas and tennis legend Todd Woodbridge.

There’s even been Australian basketball royalty such as Luc Longley, Shane Heal, Andrew Bogut and Lauren Jackson.

But Lake Ginninderra’s basketball coach Jason Denley said the buzz engulfing the NBA-bound youngster is a whole new level.

‘‘I’m cautious to say Dante’s the best player I’ve coached because I’ve coached Patty [Mills] and some great players, but there has never been this much focus or excitement around one particular player,’’ Denley said.

It’s difficult to predict how good the 18-year-old will be, as his journey to the world’s best league is so unusual.

High schoolers being drafted straight into the NBA is rare. American-born players have been banned from doing so since 2006.

Even Bogut, Australia’s highest-paid athlete and the NBA’s No.1 draft pick in 2005, spent two years in US college learning his trade.

The AIS has sent scholarship holders to the school since its inception in 1987.

Exum is the latest graduate in a star-studded production line which shows no signs of slowing down.

‘‘Probably our best basketballers are Bogut, Jackson and Patrick Mills, and I’m sure Dante will be there very soon,’’ Lake Ginninderra’s physical education and AIS liaison Steve Walding said.

‘‘Even Bogut went to college for a few years to develop his game, but Dante seems like he’s ready-made.

‘‘One thing they all have is a good work ethic, they know hard work and success go together.’’

Having guided Lake Ginninderra to the national schoolboys title last year, Exum will become an instant millionaire if he’s snapped up as a top-10 draft pick as expected.

Denley said Exum’s off-court traits have him well positioned to avoid getting caught up in the hype.

‘‘The high quality and character he has reminds me of Patty Mills and others who have gone on to represent Australia with great pride,’’ Denley said.

‘‘I think he’s at that level already.

‘‘There’s no tall poppy syndrome with Dante Exum, you’d have to go a long way to find someone who’d say a bad word about him because of how hard he plays not only for his country, but his club and school.

‘‘He’ll certainly be pushing for selection for this year’s world championships, and with NBA under his belt he’ll be a significant contributor in Rio [2016 Olympics].’’

Triple Olympic gold medallist Petria Thomas credited the school for helping her get on track after suffering from depression when she first moved from Mullumbimbi to Canberra.

‘‘There was a good understanding between the two organisations about what it took for an athlete to pursue their sporting goals, while making sure they got a good education,’’ she said.

‘‘It’s one thing I tell kids when I talk to them. It’s great to pursue your sporting goals but it’s so vitally important you have something to fall back on.

‘‘In most sports you don’t even compete for even half of your life, maybe one third if you’re lucky.

‘‘There’s a lot of time after you finish where you have to be a productive member of society.’’

Walding, influential in setting up the partnership, believes it will continue long term despite AIS having stopped offering scholarships under the Winning Edge program.

Individual sports now take responsibility for their own funding and development. But Walding is confident it won’t spell the end of a proven successful formula.

Many sports still base their programs at the AIS including soccer and basketball, and the Australian under-17 soccer squad, the Joeys, are attending Lake Ginninderra this year.

‘‘You’re not going to kill off the golden goose surely, and not change things too much,’’ Walding said.

‘‘When you look at the Boomers and Opals virtually all of them came through there, and the Socceroos glory days of Viduka, Lucas Neill and Brett Emerton. We have resources whereby teachers can communicate to kids in tournaments or in camps.

‘‘All these processes are put in place to ensure they’re looked after.’’

LAKE GINNINDERRA SPORTS HALL OF FAME (INDUCTED 2012)
Monique Allen (gymnast); Liz Cambage (basketball); Linley Frame (swimming); Heather Garriock (soccer); Ben Hardy (volleyball); Kristi Harrower (basketball); Lauren Jackson (basketball); Daniel Marsden (water polo); Joanne Morgan (netball); Adam Pine (swimming); Philippe Rizzo (gymnastics); Petria Thomas (swimming); David Andersen (basketball); Andrew Bogut (basketball); Tim Cuddihy (archery); Brett Emerton (soccer); Shane Heal (basketball); Craig Moore (soccer); Patrick Mills (basketball); Lucas Neill (soccer); Rennae Stubbs (tennis); Penny Taylor (basketball); Mark Viduka (soccer); Lisa-Marie Vizaniari (athletics); Todd Woodbridge (tennis).