Sean MacDonald, Bol Dengdit, David Okwera and Zac Triplett have been selected in the Boomers’ 17-man squad for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
The future of Australian men’s basketball will get a chance to suit up against Japan and Chinese Taipei, to be held in Okinawa, Japan later this month.
With a talented, young pool of players from the Centre of Excellence, NBA Global Academy and NBL making up the Australian squad, head coach Rob Beveridge believes the depth of talent coming through Australian basketball pathways is ready to make its mark in the green and gold.
“The talent that we are putting on the floor, although young, have all been part of Basketball Australia’s National Pathway and I have no doubt they we will represent our country with distinction,” Beveridge said. “I am really excited about coaching these up-and-coming future stars and exposing them to what it means to be part of the Boomers program.”
At only 30 years of age, Japanese based Olympic medalist Nick Kay will be one of the oldest and most experienced players on the team. Kay’s international success with the Boomers stems back to 2017 where he was part of the gold medal winning team at the FIBA Asia Cup. Since then, he’s become an integral member of the team, he was part of the gold medal performance at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and in 2021 played an important role in the historic bronze medal win at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Currently playing in the Japanese B League, Kay knows he has a lot to offer to his young teammates.
“I take any opportunity I can to play for the Boomers and am looking forward to taking on more of a leadership role. Hopefully my experience in Japan will be helpful and I can’t wait to get to know the young fellas,” Kay said.
Boomers Olympic Head Coach Brian Goorjian is excited about the opportunity for the development players and knows they will do Australia proud.
“The rose gold in Tokyo was about basketball at all levels and these development players now have a tremendous opportunity to step up and represent in the green and gold."
"We are fortunate to have Rob Beveridge at the helm, he is the best person to lead this young group with his extensive experience. Rob will be supported by Robbie McKinlay and Mike Kelly and I personally want to thank the Perth Wildcats for working with us to get Mike over to Japan,” Goorjian said.
The Boomers will play three matches at the qualifying tournament later this month.
Event Dates
25 February- AUS v CHINESE TAIPEI
27 February – AUS v JAPAN
28 February- CHINESE TAIPEI v AUS
FIBA BASKETBALL WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS - ASIAN QUALIFIERS SQUAD
KYLE ZUNIC - Perth Wildcats
SEAN MACDONALD - Tasmania JackJumpers
ALEXANDER MUDRONJA - Illawarra Hawks
TYRESE PROCTOR - NBA GA Academy
JAYLIN GALLOWAY - Sydney Kings
AKOLDAH GAK - Illawarra Hawks
DAVID OKWERA - Melbourne United
NICHOLAS KAY - Shimane Susanoo Magic
ANGUS BRANDT - Kagawa Five Arrows
RHYS VAGUE - Kagawa Five Arrows
EMMETT NAAR - Illawarra Hawks
MAKUACH MALUACH - Korikouvot (FIN)
CRAIG MOLLER - Wuerzburg (GER)
HARRY WESSELS - Centre of Excellence
BOL DENGDIT - Centre of Excellence
ZAC TRIPLETT - Melbourne United
NICHOLAS MARSHALL - Adelaide 36ers
