Dellavedova thrilled for unbeaten Boomers and looking forward to joining them in third window

CANBERRA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - Matthew Dellavedova is both proud of how Australia have played so far in the Asian Qualifiers and excited at the thought of joining the Boomers for their next final two games of the First Round.

The 6ft 3in (1.91m) point guard commended the players who've donned the Boomers' kit during the November and February Qualifiers and is also thrilled at the prospect of playing with them in the upcoming window at the end of June and start of July.

"IT'S VERY IMPRESSIVE THAT THIS GROUP OF GUYS, IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR SEASON, CAME TOGETHER TO PLAY FOR THE NATIONAL TEAM. I'M JUST HAPPY THEY GOT THE JOB DONE AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO PLAYING WITH THEM" DellavedovaDellavedova

"I saw the highlights, definitely checked the scores of the games and they have been great," he said. "It's clear that the players have bought into the system on offense and defense, and we've seen it in the results.

"It's very impressive that this group of guys, in the middle of their season, came together to play for the national team. I'm just happy they got the job done and I'm looking forward to playing with them."

Dellavedova will bring vocal leadership for the Boomers as well as help younger players along get acclimated to the high level of play to match the high stakes of qualifying for next year's World Cup in China.

"In the next window in June-July and, moving forward, there will be more young guys coming up, and mentoring them is something I look forward to doing, to pass on all the things I've learned," said the 27-year-old.

"There were a lot of great players before me who took me under their wing and really showed me the ropes of international basketball, giving me advice about what to look out for. It's my turn to do that now, since the Boomers family is getting bigger."

Australia will be on the road during the third window, facing Japan at the Chiba Port Arena on June 29, before flying to Manila to conclude their First Round fixtures against Philippines.

"THERE WERE A LOT OF GREAT PLAYERS BEFORE ME WHO TOOK ME UNDER THEIR WING AND REALLY SHOWED ME THE ROPES OF INTERNATIONAL BASKETBALL. IT'S MY TURN TO DO THAT NOW, SINCE THE BOOMERS FAMILY IS GETTING BIGGER" DellavedovaDellavedova

In the Second Round, getting underway in September, Australia will play more games on their home floor in front of their own fans - and that has Dellavedova pumped.

"Having our home fans actually see international competition live is something that has not happened too often in the past," he said. "So getting some other national teams to go to Australia and play is really good."

Australia top Group B with a 4-0 mark and right now are heavy favorites to be among the seven teams from Asia that will book place for China 2019.

FIBA