10 NBA players and continuity form impressive Boomers roster

MELBOURNE (Australia) - Basketball Australia (BA) have shortened the Australian Boomers’ roster to 15 players ahead of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.

“There’s a lot of talent in this squad and I think we’ve got a good chance of matching it with every team...”

- Josh Giddey

The list of players highlights continuity with 4 players having played for the Boomers through their World Cup Asian Qualifiers campaign including Nick Kay (8 games), Matthew Dellavedova (3 games), Will McDowell-White (3 games), and Jack White (3 games).

Sam Froling (6 games), Thon Maker (3 games), and Keanu Pinder (2 games) were the three players that were reduced from the initial 18-player list.

"This is an elite squad with so much talent, there is no easy way to make cuts, but the reality is that we only get to take 12 into Okinawa. Would I take all of these players if I could? Absolutely, but that’s the hardest part of sports, you have to make the cuts, we have to keep moving forward." said Goorjian about the latest cuts.

"I have the utmost respect for Sam, Thon, and Keanu and their contribution here in Cairns, their work rate has been exceptional. On and off court they have demonstrated the highest level of professionalism. They are the best in the field for a reason and of course, I’m disappointed that they can’t come through with us, but they all respect the process and came into the camp understanding what we are all here to achieve."

This leaves McDowell-White as the lone player that was on the squad that won the FIBA Asia Cup 2022 last year in Indonesia.

Ten players are returnees from the Tokyo Olympics squad that won Bronze: Dellavedova, Kay, Chris Goulding, Patty Mills, Josh Green, Joe Ingles, Mattise Thybulle, Dante Exum, Jock Landale, and Duop Reath.

The Boomers will also, for the first time ever, have ten current NBA players in their squad including Mills, Thybulle, Ingles, Landale, Green, Dellavedova, White, Xavier Cooks, Dyson Daniels, and Josh Giddey.

One of the most exciting up-and-coming talents of the group is Giddey, who recently completed a successful second season for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA, averaging 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game. Giddey had previously made his Boomers debut during the Asia Cup Qualifiers back in 2020.

“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 when he was initially annouced on the 18-player roster.

“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 Boomers discovered their path through the World Cup on April 29 after the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Draw presented by Wanda, which pitted them in Group E along with Germany, Finland, and Japan. They will play their Group Phase games in Okinawa, Japan at the Okinawa Arena with the first game being against Finland on 25 August.

“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 FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 will be played from 25 August to 10 September in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia.

FIBA