Rising NBA star Josh Giddey says it’s a dream come true after he was selected in an extended 18-man Australian Boomers squad, but the wait is on for a shock Ben Simmons return ahead of this year’s FIBA men’s World Cup.
Giddey, the Oklahoma City Thunder point guard, is a lock to be selected in the final 12-man squad to be confirmed after the Boomers’ mid-year home series against Venezuela, Brazil and South Sudan in Melbourne. The World Cup will be hosted by Japan, Indonesia and Philippines from August 25 to September 10.
The 203-centimetre playmaker joins fellow Melbourne-born product and great mate Dyson Daniels, who made a splash in his rookie season with the New Orleans Pelicans, and former Sydney King Xavier Cooks, given extended minutes with the Washington Wizards after joining late in the season, as part of a squad that is the deepest in Boomers’ history.
Bring it on: Oklahoma City Thunder star guard Josh Giddey is ready to forge a long career with the Boomers, beginning in the mid-year series in his hometown of Melbourne.Credit: AP
However, while the 208cm Simmons has not been included, coach Brian Goorjian still has him firmly in mind for a surprise return should the Brooklyn Nets guard declare he has recovered from a back injury, is mentally fresh to play and proves his commitment to the famed Boomers culture.
Simmons, who ruled himself out of the Boomers’ Tokyo Olympics campaign, the team going on to deliver a breakthrough bronze medal, maintains he wants to be a part of the Boomers’ program – at some point.
Simmons didn’t play in the Nets’ final 23 games this season because of a back injury and has been rehabbing. He hasn’t played for the Boomers since 2013, and will need to make a call by the Boomers’ training camp in Cairns in July.
Shooting guard Patty Mills, a hero of the Boomers’ Tokyo Olympics campaign, is back for more, but Brooklyn teammate Ben Simmons needs to declare he is over a back injury if he is to play in the FIBA men’s World Cup.Credit: Getty Images
Former NBA big man Aron Baynes, whose Tokyo Olympics campaign ended prematurely because of a freak fall, was overlooked.
Veteran Boomers and NBA players Joe Ingles (Milwaukee Bucks), Patty Mills (Nets) and Matthew Dellavedova were also chosen, although Dellavedova, 32, had his season with the Sacramento Kings, where locker-room leadership was his primarily responsibility, curtailed by finger surgery. As a new breed of guard emerges, the robust defender faces a major fight to retain his international spot against younger, taller and more athletic teammates.
Daniels, a 201cm guard, appeared in 59 games with the Pelicans, starting 11 times, and averaging 3.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Josh Green (Dallas Mavericks), a former No.18 pick who has just come off a strong third season, is another on the rise, having averaged career-highs of 9.1 points, 3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.
Forward Jock Landale (Phoenix), Matisse Thybulle (Portland) and Jack White (Denver) are also among those chosen, as are NBL stars Chris Goulding (Melbourne United), Sam Froling (Illawarra Hawks), Will McDowell-White (New Zealand) and Keanu Pinder (Perth). But there was no room for Mitch Creek (South East Melbourne Phoenix).
Giddey, who has worked with renowned shooting coach Chip Engelland, enjoyed an impressive second season with Thunder, and looks forward to carrying that form into national representation.
“I’ve always dreamed of playing for the Boomers and representing Australia, so to get this opportunity is really special, and I’m looking forward to competing at the World Cup,” Giddey said.
“There’s a lot of talent in this squad and I think we’ve got a good chance of matching it with every team. I’m excited for the challenge and to see what we can produce as a group on the world stage.”
The former No.6 pick in the draft – still only 20 – enjoyed a major bump in offensive efficiency and production this season, averaging 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.4 blocks through 76 games.
Goorjian said the Boomers were determined to build on their historic bronze medal in Tokyo.
“Pulling together this extended squad has taken time – it’s been a thorough process. The coaches and I have had many discussions about getting the mix right, but I’m really pleased with where we’ve landed with the guys we’ve selected, there’s a good balance across the court,” Goorjian said.
“After the draw took place around a week ago, and we know who and where we’re playing, we’re excited and eager to get stuck in and prepare for what will be an extremely challenging tournament.”
The Boomers will be based in Japan for their initial pool games, where they face Germany, Finland and Japan. They finished fourth at the 2019 event in China.
Boomers squad: Xavier Cooks, Dyson Daniels, Matthew Dellavedova, Dante Exum, Sam Froling, Josh Giddey, Chris Goulding, Josh Green, Joe Ingles, Nick Kay, Jock Landale, Thon Maker, Will McDowell-White, Patty Mills, Keanu Pinder, Duop Reath, Matisse Thybulle, Jack White.
FIBA men’s World Cup
Boomers pool games:
Friday, August 25 v Finland (24th in the world)
Okinawa Arena, Japan
The skinny: Finland shape as one of the sneaky underdogs of the World Cup. They boast Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, and prospered during World Cup qualifying, edging Croatia and Slovenia in their pool.
Sunday, August 27 v Germany (11th in the world)
Okinawa Arena, Japan
The skinny: The Germans possess NBA players Moritz Wagner, Daniel Theis and playmaker Dennis Schroder, but they fell to the Boomers by double digits in the pool rounds of the Tokyo Olympics.
Tuesday, August 29 v Japan (36th in the world)
Okinawa Arena, Japan
The skinny: The host nation boasts LA Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, who has impressed alongside LeBron James through the NBA playoffs, but the Boomers defeated Japan twice during the World Cup qualifiers.
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