The Tokyo Olympic Games are less than two months away, is focused and the Australian Boomers and set to face Team USA once again.
Just two years ago, Australia hosted the United States Men’s team for two exhibition games at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium, culminating in a historic upset over the United States, which fielded a team including NBA all-stars Donovon Mitchell Jayson Tatum and Khris Middleton.
Patty Mills was instrumental in the 98-94 victory notching up 30 points, 13 of those coming in the fourth quarter.in front of a record-setting crowd of over 50,000.
Today it was announced by USA basketball that in mid-July they will play a number of pre-Olympic exhibition games against Australia, Nigeria, Argentina and reigning Basketball World Cup champion Spain in preparation for the Olympics.
The games will be held at Las Vegas’ Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay, as part of a partnership with MGM Resorts and USA Basketball.
The USA women have also scheduled warm-up games against the Australian Opals.
| Date | Game | Time |
| Sunday, July 11 | Australia vs. Argentina | 10:30 a.m. |
| Tuesday, July 13 | Australia vs. United States | 10:00 a.m. |
| Wednesday, July 14 | Australia vs. Nigeria | 11:30 a.m. |
| Saturday, July 17 | Opals vs. U.S. Women | 4:30 a.m. |
| Saturday, July 17 | Australia vs. United States | 8:00 a.m. |
The pre-Olympic exhibition series will see the top four men’s teams in the FIBA rankings face off. United States (#1), Spain (#2) Australia (#3), Argentina (#4) as well as Nigeria (#22).
The U.S. women also ranked No. 1 in FIBA rankings and their head to head with No.2 ranked Australia could well be a gold medal game preview for Japan. The WNBA will break for the Olympics on July 12.
The U.S. men head into the Olympics seeking their fourth consecutive Olympic gold, the women, their seventh in a row. Although both enter the Olympics ranked No. 1 it is unknown who Team USA will feature on their rosters.
Those rosters, which are expected to be set at the end of June could feature NBA superstars like Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Kawhi Leonard (LA Clippers) and Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers) who have all expressed interest in playing at this years Olympics.
LA Lakers teammate LeBron James and Anthony Davis are not planning to join the team due to injuries.
Due to the uncertainty of COVID-19 and the Olympic preparations Team USA recently requested for teams to allow roster changes which would allow players to fly over late and join teams. Team USA managing director Jerry Colangelo said. He is waiting to hear back from the governing bodies on the matter.
“These are not normal times. Rosters by a certain date doesn’t make any sense,” Colangelo said. “What we’re seeking is flexibility to substitute players very late and to get the best players on the court. It doesn’t just apply to us but for all the countries.”
Australia’s roster is also somewhat uncertain, although recent social media posts suggest Mills is more than ready to lead the green and gold to what could be their first Olympic medal.
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Mills, along with Philadelphia 76ers All-Star Ben Simmons and Utah Jazz swingman Joe Ingles are the biggest NBA names in the current 24 man roster which Basketball Australia announced in early February.
BREAKING NEWS – Basketball Australia is excited to announce the Australian Men’s Basketball Olympic Squad and coaching appointments for @Tokyo2020.
Read the full announcement 👉 https://t.co/1zuzjrA3tu#WeAreBasketball #WeAreReady #Tokyo2020 @AusOlympicTeam pic.twitter.com/2HzCcOBAHZ
— Basketball Australia (@BasketballAus) February 2, 2021
The further the Jazz and 76ers go into the NBA Playoffs, the less likely Ingles and Simmons are of joining the team in time for the Olympics, as the NBA Finals could last through July 22.
The Opals are set to field a team featuring Liz Cambage (Las Vegas Aces), Leilani Mitchell (Washington Mystics), Ezi Magbegor (Seattle Storm), Alanna Smith (Phoenix Mercury) and Bec Allen (New York Liberty). The Opals were able to complete a training camp in late May before their WNBA talent departed for the states, putting them in a good position for Olympic success.