With Adam Caporn taking over as head coach of the Australian Boomers, the national team enters a critical phase in its evolution. A student of both Brian Goorjian and Andrej Lemanis, Caporn intends to build on their foundations, blending their distinct philosophies to create a balanced, adaptable, and high-performing team.
In a recent interview with Aussie Hoopla, Caporn outlined his vision for the Boomers, his approach to coaching, and how he plans to shape the roster heading into major tournaments like the 2027 FIBA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.
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Blending the Best of Goorjian and Lemanis
Caporn acknowledges the strength of the system developed by his predecessors and aims to take the best of both styles to forge his own approach.
“You certainly steal the good,” he said. “And almost everything those two guys did was good.”
Lemanis emphasized structured offensive sets, focusing on a system-based approach that allowed the Boomers to execute consistently over a tournament. Goorjian, on the other hand, leaned into situational adaptability and defensive intensity, ensuring Australia could adjust in-game and maintain its reputation as one of the toughest defensive teams in international basketball.
Caporn’s plan is to merge these styles, reinforcing the Boomers’ defensive identity while refining their offensive execution.
“I do think we need a home-based offensive system that suits this group,” he explained. “We touched upon that last campaign, but we didn’t quite go far enough. Now, we have that information. We can bring turnovers down while still having a system that moves the ball and allows guys to operate in different positions.”
On the defensive side, Caporn intends to maintain the foundations laid by Goorjian. “His ability to coach the defensive end was second to none, and we finished second in defense last campaign. Maintaining a lot of his principles will be something I pursue for sure.”
The key difference will be striking the right balance—ensuring the Boomers retain their defensive edge while developing an offensive system that allows them to maximize their current and future roster.
Roster Strategy: Balancing Youth and Experience
One of Caporn’s main challenges will be managing a generational shift. With some of the Boomers’ long-time veterans nearing the end of their international careers, a new wave of players will likely step up.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen between now and 2027,” Caporn said. “But what I think is that we have a vast array of talent.”
While current NBA stars like Josh Giddey, Jock Landale, Josh Green, Dyson Daniels, Duop Reath, and Dante Exum all seem set to be a part of the Boomers core for the next 3-4 years there is a second group that can be divided into a veteran group, players like Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, Chris Goulding, and Matthew Dellavedova and a glut of emerging talent that includes players such as Johnny Furphy, Will Magnay, Jack McVeigh, and Tyrese Proctor are all under watch as potential Boomers additions.
“We need to bring young players into the program, expose them to Boomers basketball, and get them ready for the international game,” he said.
Caporn understands the challenge of balancing continuity with new talent, ensuring Australia remains competitive while preparing for the future.
Areas For Improvement
While the Boomers have a strong talent pool, Caporn has identified several key areas that could shape the direction of the team in the coming years.
1. Developing Young Bigs
• The Boomers are likely to focus on building frontcourt depth, with Landale and Reath currently holding down the center position.
• Several young bigs are emerging, and Caporn is eager to fast-track their development.
• “We need more size coming through,” Caporn emphasized.
2. Three-Point Shooting
• The Boomers have traditionally relied on ball movement and spacing, but adding consistent perimeter threats will be crucial.
• “Shooting is what separates teams,” Caporn said.
• The team will likely look for multiple reliable shooters to counter international defensive schemes.
3. Playmaking & Positional Flexibility
“I wouldn’t even use the term ‘point guards’—we need playmakers,” he explained.
• Rather than relying on traditional point guards, Caporn wants multiple playmakers who can generate offense.
• Players like Giddey, Exum, and Daniels are expected to share playmaking duties.
These areas will likely shape Caporn’s decision-making when selecting the Boomers’ final roster, as international competition demands versatility and adaptability.
The Matisse Thybulle Question: Boomers Chemistry Moving Forward
One of the lingering questions from the Boomers’ last campaign was the omission of Matisse Thybulle from the 2024 Paris Olympics squad. Rumors swirled about potential internal conflicts, with speculation that some veteran players pushed for Joe Ingles to be included at Thybulle’s expense. While former coach Brian Goorjian had previously refuted claims of any off-court issues, questions about Thybulle’s future with the Boomers have persisted.
Caporn dismissed any notion of a fractured relationship.
“I totally disagree with that narrative,” he said. “I don’t think it’s appropriate to get into how and why those decisions were made. They were brutal decisions, really difficult. And I say that with the most consideration for Matisse. That’s the guy that was hurt the most, and a lot of other great players have been in that situation.”
Despite the disappointment surrounding his omission, Thybulle’s impact on the Boomers has been undeniable. His defensive prowess played a key role in Australia’s bronze-medal-winning run at the Tokyo Olympics, and Caporn remains hopeful that he will return to the team.
“He’s been a great contributor to the Boomers,” Caporn said. “We were so lucky to have him in Tokyo and in those preparations. He’s a special player with a special skill set and really embraced the Australian ethos. I hope we’ll see him play for Australia again.”
While Caporn avoided making any concrete statements about Thybulle’s potential selection for future tournaments, his comments suggest the door remains open. Moving forward, rebuilding trust and chemistry among the core group will be one of his key responsibilities.
“I’m really not even thinking about specific selections right now,” he added. “My focus is on connecting with every player and ensuring we get the best out of everyone.”
As Australia transitions to a new generation of Boomers, navigating player relationships, managing expectations, and fostering a strong team culture will be just as important as the on-court strategies Caporn looks to implement.
Long-Term Vision: Building for Sustained Success
Caporn’s goals for the Boomers go beyond just winning one tournament—his focus is on sustaining success.
“We’re all hunting the gold medal. That’s what we’re here for,” he said. “But we’re also here to sustain success and grow the program.”
In the next two years, Caporn expects to evaluate and develop young talent, using competitions like the FIBA Asia Cup to introduce players to the Boomers’ system. He also plans to establish a stronger talent pipeline, ensuring Australia continues producing high-level international players.
“The balance of the roster will always be a challenge,” he admitted. “You’re not picking an all-star team—you’re picking a team that fits together and supports each other, both tactically and personality-wise.”
With a clear plan to merge Lemanis and Goorjian’s philosophies, a keen eye on emerging talent, and a commitment to sustaining the Boomers’ culture, Caporn’s era as head coach is shaping up to be both ambitious and calculated.
The next step? Getting the team together and setting the foundation for future success.
“I’m really excited about getting around the Australian basketball community,” he said. “And once we step onto that practice court, my enthusiasm will be at an all-time high.”
With a strong cultural foundation and a strategic approach to roster development, Caporn’s leadership will be crucial as the Boomers set their sights on international success.
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
