Opinion
The 24-man Australian Boomers squad for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics has just been announced.
The squad features NBA players Aron Baynes, Matthew Dellavedova, Dante Exum, Josh Green, Joe Ingles, Thon Maker, Matisse Thybulle, Patty Mills and Ben Simmons.
The line-up also features many ex-NBA talents and G League players such as Ryan Broekhoff, Mitch Creek, William McDowell-White, Will Magnay, Deng Adel and Isaac Humphries.
Notable names not included on the team sheet are NBA free agent and former Indiana Pacer and Philadelphia 76er Jonah Bolden, the Brisbane Bullets’ Nathan Sobey, South-East Melbourne Phoenix guard Cameron Gliddon and Perth Wildcat Todd Blanchfield, who were all a part of the Boomers’ 17-man squad for the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
Philadelphia 76ers two-time All Star and All NBA Defensive Team member Ben Simmons is gearing up to put on the green-and-gold jersey for the first time since Australia’s 2013 gold medal campaign at the FIBA Oceanic Championship.
Simmons’ Philadelphia teammate and 2019-20 NBA steals leader for rookies, Matisse Thybulle, will be representing Australia for the first time. Alongside Thybulle, the likes of Josh Green, Will McDowell-White, Will Magnay and Duop Reath will look to make their international debut as well.
Within the last six months, the Boomers have lost many players to retirement. This includes 2015 NBA champion and 2019 NBL MVP Andrew Bogut, six-time NBL Best Defensive Player Damien Martin and 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medalist and 2017 NBL champion Lucas Walker.
Despite this, veteran NBA players Matthew Dellavedova and Patty Mills will still be in the squad to help inject experience into the roster and to mentor many of the younger players.
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
On top of all the players I’ve mentioned already, also in the Olympic squad is Xavier Cooks (Sydney Kings), Josh Giddey (Adelaide 36ers), Chris Goulding (Melbourne United), Nick Kay (Real Betis), Jock Landale (Melbourne United), Mitch McCarron (Melbourne United), Brock Motum (Galatasaray) and Mitch Norton (Perth Wildcats).
Australia’s squad is a mix of international experience and upcoming local talent who will be looking for Australia’s first ever Olympic medal for basketball, after getting fourth in the tournament on four occasions (1988, 1996, 2000 and 2016).
After reaching the semi-finals in the FIBA World Cup for the first time in 2019, Brian Goorjian’s Boomers team is ready to make a name on the Olympic stage.
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