WANTIRNA SOUTH (FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018) - Nine of the players who helped Australia to their first ever FIBA U16 Asian Championship title made the 12-man roster for the U17 World Cup.
WANTIRNA SOUTH (FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018) - Nine of the players who helped Australia to their first-ever FIBA U16 Asian Championship title have been included on their Crocs' 12-man roster for the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018.
Australia head coach Justin Schueller picked his 12 players after a training camp with 19 hopefuls at the Centre of Excellence.
| Australia's roster for the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018 | |||
| Joshua Bannan | Joel Capetola | Hunter Clarke | Campbell Green |
| Luke Jackson | Blake Jones | Hunter Madden | Jay Rantall |
| Wani Swanka Lo Buluk | Luke Travers | Tamuri Wigness | Kobe Williamson |
"We had an intensive camp to figure out what we needed post-Asia Champs," Schueller said. "We were very happy with the squad but felt we needed to be able to stretch the floor with shooting and add a bit more size."
The three changes from the U16 team in Foshan, China, are Joshua Bannan, Blake Jones and Campbell Green coming on for Liam Herbert, Hayden Meakes and Paul Tsapatolis.
"Campbell is a strong center, Josh is a stretch four and Blake is a versatile wing who can shoot really well so we feel we have filled those areas," Schueller said.
And the coach said he thinks his group would be ready to compete tomorrow if the U17 World Cup were to tip off then.
"WE ARE MINDFUL OF THE PROUD TRADITION OF THE (U17) CROCS PROGRAM AND THE SUCCESS WE HAVE HAD IN THE PAST. WE BELIEVE WE CAN DO SOMETHING SPECIAL WITH THIS GROUP" Schueller
"As coaches we would always like more time together but we felt that at the end of the camp, we could head over to Argentina tomorrow and do very well. We have a high-IQ group and it’s exciting for us in how quickly we have evolved," Schueller said.
Australia have been drawn into Group A of the June 30-July 8 tournament along with Dominican Republic, Turkey and Puerto Rico. The Crocs came in seventh at the U17 World Cup in 2016 after runners-up finishes at the tournament in 2012 and 2014.
"We are mindful of the proud tradition of the Crocs program and the success we have had in the past," said Schueller. "We believe we can do something special with this group."
FIBA