Delly, Maker boost already formidable Boomers for Qualifiers

MELBOURNE (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - Matthew Dellavedova and Thon Maker will play for Australia in the Asian World Cup Qualifiers after being named in the 12-man squad for the games at Japan and the Philippines.

Point guard Dellavedova last represented the Boomers at the 2016 Olympics, helping the team finish fourth, while his Milwaukee Bucks teammate Maker, a power forward/center, is to play for Australia for the first time.

"We have said all along that this FIBA format means the Boomers group is now bigger than ever and needs to be fluid," Australia coach Andrej Lemanis said.

"DELLY HAS BEEN A PART OF THE BOOMERS PROGRAM FOR A LONG TIME NOW AND UNDERSTANDS THE CULTURE AND IT WILL BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR THON TO ADD HIS INFLUENCE."Lemanis

"Maintaining the connection throughout the entire group is challenging, so the inclusion of Delly and Thon is a wonderful way for us to continue to grow as an entire team.

"For the guys who have carried the load through the first two windows, it will be a great experience for them to play with both Delly and Thon."

Not in the squad is Mitch Creek, one of the team's top players in the first two windows of World Cup Qualifiers and in their unbeaten run at the FIBA Asia Cup 2017. Also missing are Joe Ingles, who had a sensational NBA campaign with the Utah Jazz, and San Antonio's Pat Mills and Boston's Aron Baynes.

Among those included that have contributed to all four wins for Australia in their Qualifiers campaign are Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Cameron Gliddon, Nick Kay, Daniel Kickert and Nathan Sobey. Angus Brandt, who has played in three of the Qualifiers and Jesse Wagstaff, Kevin Lisch and Chris Goulding, who have each made two appearances, round out the side.

Lisch and Goulding also played at the Rio Olympics.

Lemanis is excited to see how Dellavedova and Maker change the dynamic of the squad.

"WE HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING HIS  (MAKER'S) PROGRESS AND KEEPING IN CONTACT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS NOW AND HE HAS ALWAYS SAID HE WANTS TO PLAY FOR AUSTRALIA – IT'S GREAT FOR HIM THAT GOAL IS NOW BEING REALIZED."Lemanis

"The skill set and experience they will add to the team is exciting for all of us and it will be interesting to watch how this team comes together in a short space of time," Lemanis said.

"Delly has been a part of the Boomers program for a long time now and understands the culture and it will be a good opportunity for Thon to add his influence."

The Boomers, who beat Japan 82-58 in Adelaide back in November, play them the second time in Chiba on June 29 before traveling to Manila to square off against the Filipinos on July 2.

He discovered basketball and ended up, after a lot of hard work, making it to the NBA. He averaged 16.7 points per game for the Bucks in 2017-18, his second campaign in the league.

"This is an exciting time for us as a team and for Thon as well," Lemanis said. "I'm really pleased for him that all the work he has put in to this point will now be rewarded with an opportunity to play for Australia.

"We have been following his progress and keeping in contact for a number of years now and he has always said he wants to play for Australia – it's great for him that goal is now being realized.

"It is also really exciting for the Sudanese community who now call Australia home. Thon is a wonderful representative and role model who will inspire others to strive for success in their chosen field."

As for the games coming up, Lemanis says they will be challenging.

"We know it is going to be difficult playing Japan and the Philippines at their respective venues," he said.

"We saw how loud it was when we played in Melbourne with the Filipino fans dominating the environment and with a stadium capacity of 50,000, that game is something all the guys are looking forward to.

"International basketball is always great basketball played to a very high level. We will need to play well to give ourselves an opportunity for success. In the end, we need to stay focused on playing Boomer basketball." 

The Boomers will head into camp in Melbourne on June 21 before leaving for Japan on June 25. Following their game, they will travel to the Philippines on June 30 for their last game of the First Round.

FIBA