A highly anticipated NBL season could be heightened even further if the twelve players listed below can put up an almighty performance at the World Championships in Turkey. Is this the right team to carry Australian basketball back to the glory days?
I have a really good feeling about this group.
The loss of Bogut was huge. If they throw him in this mix than we stand a big chance. Many of the boys chosen have all now had European experience and understand their style of play better than 4 years ago.
Australia is slowly catching up on the world, we are starting to infiltrate the European leagues. I don’t know how happy the Europeans are about that but they are going to have to deal with it. With Anderson and Mills gaining NBA experience throughout last season, the Aussies will have a few go to guys when the game is on the line.
This World Championships is wide open.
The Americans haven’t fielded a great team at all. I strongly feel that they will not win the competition. The Spaniards will definitely be strong but the loss of Pau Gasol hurts them. If you take them out of the equation the Aussies can make a push for a top 4 spot. In a one off game anything can happen and we all know that Aussies love being the underdogs.
I just can’t see basketball taking off if we don’t do well in this tournament. The newspapers will be filled with bad press and that’s exactly what the NBL doesn’t need only a month from tip off. If the results are good, basketball and non basketball fans will want to catch a game during the NBL season. With ONEHD covering the season, AND1 the new clothing sponsor and Spalding getting back on board, things are looking good for the NBL.
I really hope the boys do us proud in Turkey, for Basketball Australia and for the NBL’s sake.
Golden Star Australian Boomers – 2010 FIBA World Championship Team
David ANDERSEN / 212cm / 30 / Centre / Toronto Raptors (NBA) / Frankston Blues (VIC)
David BARLOW / 205cm / 26 / Forward / CAI Zaragoza (Spain) / Sandringham (VIC)
Aron BAYNES / 207cm / 23 / Centre / EWE Baskets Oldenburg (Germany) / Cairns (QLD)
Adam GIBSON / 188cm / 23 / Guard / Gold Coast Blaze / Launceston (TAS)
Joe INGLES / 203cm / 22 / Forward / CB Granada (Spain) / Southern (SA)
Steven MARKOVIC / 190cm / 25 / Guard / KK Crvena Zvezda Beograd (Serbia) / Bankstown (NSW)
Aleks MARIC / 210cm / 25 / Centre / Panathinaikos (Greece) / North Sydney (NSW)
Damian MARTIN / 188cm / 25 / Guard / Perth Wildcats / Gloucester (NSW)
Patrick MILLS / 183cm / 21 / Guard / Portland Trail Blazers (NBA) / Shadows (ACT)
Brad NEWLEY / 198cm / 25 / Guard / Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania) / Forestville (SA)
Matthew NIELSEN / 209cm / 32 / Forward / Olympiacos (Greece) / Penrith (NSW)
Mark WORTHINGTON / 202cm / 27 / Forward / Brose Baskets (Germany) / Bunbury (WA)
betty b
Guest
watched the youth olympic three win silver, beating US but went down to China. Great stuff! How will China fare in Turkey? A follower of big tournaments only, and China always seems to be there.
Emma
Guest
I hope it does take off! i love going to watch the B-Ball. Devastated when they took sydney kings out of the comp. I loved going to the games and cheering on the boys. with Sydney coming back, I will be looking into some Season tickets. Bring out the purple and yellow again! woo
The Fish
Guest
DOGGIES BRO
Adrian Bauk
Roar Guru
Sledgeross, Markovic and Brian Goorjian never really got along. There was much tension between the two. He was invited to many Boomers camp but Goorj never picked him. I've heard many stories about his attitude but after recently catching up with him, he seems really focused now that Brett Brown is the coach.
Mushi
Guest
Yep still doesn't change that non NBA followers don't have a clue about him which si the issue - how does he bring people into the game when they need to be atleast passing followers to know he exists.
sledgeross
Guest
Isnt Markvics lack of chances to do with teh fact he spit the dummy when he was a young fella (from teh Razorbacks?) and ran off to Croatia (where to be fair, he has become a better player).
JVGO
Guest
Isn't Bogut Australia's highest payed sportsman? And he will be an All Star next year almost certainly barring injury.
Hooplah
Guest
Hoops is BACK baby. Give me basketball over that rugby league rubbish.
Midfielder
Guest
In a very jam packed market it will be difficult for basketball to standout unless they find a player of extreme talent.
Adrian Bauk
Roar Guru
I agree with you JVGO.. I think Bogut however will play no matter what really..he has much to prove on the international stage. He has never really done anything special while playing for his country. I think before his career is over he will want to do that, just like the kobes and LeBrons of the USA. I am friends with a few of the boys that you speak of when talking about the golden generation. I can't wait to see them take the reign! The one person I'm Looking forward to watching is Steve Markovic. It's been a long time since Steve has been given a chance! I hope he proves they've been making a mistake for the last few years!
JVGO
Guest
2012-2016 will be our years where we are continually in medal contention in the big championships. That is when the core of our golden generation U19 World champions, Bogut, Maric, Newley will be in their prime, backed up with Mills Ingles Delladova et al. Patty is not ready yet. But 2012 we have a chance. As long as Milwaukee don't become too much of an NBA force necessitating Bogut putting aside national duties. Deep playoff runs will probably make him opt out. Maric will probably be in the NBA soon too. The NBL will be able to hang itself off a genuine NBA star this time around which should be an asset.
Adrian Bauk
Roar Guru
The games are said to be broadcast on FoxSports.
Brian
Guest
Is ONE or anyone else broadcasting the World Cup? Won't create much interest if its 5am games not on TV.
Adrian Bauk
Roar Guru
This is totally correct about the promotion of the game. If I was a non basketball fan I would have no clue the Aussies are about to leave for the World Championships or that the NBL would be tipping off in less than two months. They spent very very little money on promotion last year but have hired a marketing specialist to get things off the ground this year. Also basketball juniors in Australia have always been booming, it's just that next step for the juniors, there just isn't enough spots so kids give up. I know many of my friends who are great basketballers but just don't want to further their career because of the NBL not paying them enough money.
North
Guest
Nice article mate, keep em coming! I think with the team the US has thrown together it will be a very interesting tournament!
Beer?!?
Guest
Dave Anderson playin in the post? When did I see this...warm up drills dont count when they do lay ups!!!! Thats about the only time Anderson steps into the paint..as for Maric...I forgot about him and yes he can play big in the paint if his euro performances are anything to go by...but am yet to see it internationally...I hope he stars.. If Anderson spends less time shooting the most ugliest 3 point shot in the game and using these post moves you speak of then we may be ok with our size.... He should have learnt a thing off one of the most under rated post players in the game Luis Scola while he was at the rockets...hopefully....
murray robertson
Guest
hey , what ever happens its the future of the game back here thats important. if the boys do well great but the NBL has to do a better job of promotion and get the junior ranks fired up again. most of the country dont know a basket ball world cup is even on. so lets focus on the domestic side of the game and get a truely national competition going and then people will take an interest in the international events
Adrian Bauk
Roar Guru
Real Deal I think you are forgetting about David Anderson and Aleks Maric..they can both get it done but the problem is the back up for these guys!
Dylan
Guest
Andersen played huge for the rockets last season!!! Hopefully he can recapture that form
Beer?!?
Guest
Argentina...Spain...that will be the final I can see the aussies doing something in this tournament but without Bogut that is huge.. I believe if he played it would have given us a brilliant chance of medalling in this tournament without a lot of stars for the other teams. Even though Manu is out for the argies I believe they can topple Spain, as much as I believe Spain will probably win it, there's no one that plays harder than the likes of Scola, Delfino and Nocioni come international time when they put on the Light Blue and White of Argentina! I'd love to see us medal but I can't see it happening with only one real post threat In matty nielson...