The FIBA World Cup is fast approaching and Australia has one goal in mind — win!
With the extended Boomers team released with stars littered through it, including young sensation Josh Giddey and experienced sharp shooter Patty Mills, the Boomers have their eyes on gold this time around.
Coming off the back of their first podium finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the Boomers are determined to again ride the wave towards the top of the hoops world.
Since their first appearance in a World Cup back in 1970, the Australian Boomers team has struggled to reach that illusive final match; their closest was the semi-finals in 2019.
It certainly won’t be an easy task for the Boomers team however, with Team USA’s side shaping up as a young and ubertalented squad.
A highly anticipated World Cup like no other for the Boomers team could make or break the legacy of the side that could look quite different next time around.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Boomers team heading into the 2023 FIBA World Cup in August.
Boomers team: Squad of 13 announced
Point guards: Dyson Daniels, Dante Exum, Josh Giddey
Shooting guards: Chris Goulding, Patty Mills
Small forwards: Josh Green, Joe Ingles, Matisse Thybulle, Jack White
Power forwards: Xavier Cooks, Nick Kay
Center: Jock Landale, Duop Reath
Once again led by Olympic bronze medal winning coach Brian Goorjian, the Boomers team is positioned to have its most successful World Cup.
Comprised of ten current NBA players, the Boomers have some serious expertise going into the World Cup that’s being hosted by Japan, the Phillipines and Indonesia.
After finishing in the heartbreaking position of fourth back in the 2019 World Cup in China, Goorjian is more determined than ever to change Australia’s fortunes.
“We have a tremendous respect for the competition but there’s a respect now with us being a legitmate top-four team for a long period of time,” Goorjian said.
“We’ve got a lot of NBA players and a lot of players that are respected worldwide on this team.”
“It’s had a reputation of playing hard, playing together with a strong culture.”
Boomers games
Australia v Finland | Group | Friday August 25, 6:00pm AEST
Australia v Germany | Group | Sunday August 27, 6:30pm AEST
Australia v Japan | Group | Tuesday August 29, 9:10pm AEST
Boomers predicted starting five for the World Cup
Predicted starting 5 for the Boomers team:
PG: Josh Giddey
SG: Patty Mills
SF: Josh Green
PF: Nick Kay
C: Duop Reath*
*Jock Landale has sadly been ruled out, after tweaking his ankle in a warm-up match against South Sudan
POINT GUARD | Josh Giddey
After just two seasons in the NBA with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Giddey has proven to be the ultimate pass-first guard averaging over six assists per game. The 20-year-old has played just the one match for the Boomers team; back in 2021 helping Australia qualify for this World Cup.
SHOOTING GUARD | Patty Mills
Experience is the most important thing Mills brings to the table, with the upcoming FIBA World Cup his third in his career. The now Atlanta Hawk, Mills has been the best Australian player for years and takes his ability to a whole new level when he wears the green and gold.
SMALL FORWARD | Joe Ingles
Known for being a three-and-D specialist, Ingles along with Mills have been at the centre of the Boomers rise to international recognition. His decade of experience in the NBA means he’s played against the best and knows who to lock them up which is crucial at the small forward position.
POWER FORWARD | Matisse Thybulle
Continuing Australia’s small ball lineup, Thybulle is arguably the Boomers’ best defender with elite stealing ability along with incredible hops in the paint. Although he struggles to score, Thybulle will be critical to the Boomers’ success at the World Cup.
CENTER | Jock Landale
Landale is a walk up start in this Boomers team, with his height and athletic build he will be a cornerstone of the Boomers outfit. His career took a serious turn following the Tokyo Olympics where he was picked up shortly after by the San Antonio Spurs and then Phoenix for the 2022-23 season.
The Boomers’ World Cup fixtures
Australia v Finland | August 25, Okinawa Arena (Japan), 6pm AEST
Australia v Germany | August 27, Okinawa Arena (Japan), 6:30pm AEST
Australia v Japan | August 29, Okinawa Arena (Japan), 9:10pm AEST
How to watch the FIBA World Cup
The FIBA World Cup will be shown on Foxtel and their sports streaming service Kayo here in Australia with the Boomers team matches expected to be shown live on one of the free-to-air channels as well.
The rest of the competition will be shown exclusively on ESPN for Australian audiences.
