Australian Boomers

Thon Maker choses to focus on NBA chances over Olympic medal

Thon Maker took to Twitter today to let it be known that he still harbours dreams of playing in the green and gold for Australia. This week the Boomers reduced the Olympic squad from 24 to 19 and among those excluded was Thon Maker. It’s since become clear that Maker was in fact invited to…

Dan Boyce 0 June 18, 2021 1906 Views

Australian Boomers

Australia Boomers squad reduced to 19 in preparation for games against USA

Australia Boomers coach Brian Goorjian has announced a reduced squad of 19 players that will head to Las Vegas for exhibition games against Argentina, Nigeria and two games against the USA. Aron Baynes (Toronto Raptors) Ryan Broekhoff (SE Melbourne Phoenix) Xavier Cooks (Sydney Kings) Mitch Creek (SE Melbourne Phoenix) Matthew Dellavedova (Cleveland Cavaliers) Dante Exum…

Dan Boyce 0 June 17, 2021 1806 Views

Australian Boomers

Australian Boomers to face Team USA in pre-Olympic showdown in July

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…

Dan Boyce 0 June 11, 2021 1941 Views

Australian Boomers

Got Next? Who will fill Bogut’s massive shoes at the Tokyo Olympics

Andrew Bogut has officially left the game of basketball, and in his wakes leaves (literally) massive shoes to fill behind Aron Baynes at the centre spot for the Australian Boomers. But while his basketball IQ and elite rim protection will be missed, there is a new breed of Aussie big men chomping at the bid…

Jarrad Hurley 3 December 6, 2020 1551 Views

Australian Boomers

2019 FIBA World Cup coverage to feature augmented reality and new technologies

With Australia’s largest basketball event in the rear view mirror, we look forward to FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 set to tip off next week in China. In a similar fashion, the event will be the largest ever produced by FIBA and in turn will deliver the most ambitious TV, digital and social media coverage…

Dan Boyce 0 August 24, 2019 877 Views

Australian Boomers

The Best Who Never Donned The Boomers Green & Gold

Last month the Boomers won the FIBA Asia Cup with a commanding 79-56 victory over Iran to become the first Australian men’s team to win gold at a FIBA tournament.

With gold medals hanging around their necks, the young Australian NBL players who made up the team noted how much the victory meant to them, despite controversy around the standard of tournament play.

Dan Boyce 0 September 17, 2017 3071 Views

Australian Boomers

Australia’s Dream 3×3 Olympic Squad

With 3×3 basketball being added to the Tokyo Olympics, we look at selecting a possible dream team to compete.

Vince Massara 0 June 10, 2017 3333 Views

Hoops Analysis

Which NBL Teams Spent the Most?

Over the past three NBL seasons, clubs have spent almost $97 million assembling their rosters, but how much of that money has translated into wins, and which teams have delivered the best value for money? These figures represent cash spend, not salary cap spend. Cash spending includes player salaries and additional costs such as agent fees, bonuses, import related expenses and luxury tax, rather than simply the amounts counted against the league's salary cap. How much have NBL teams spent over the past three seasons?…
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NBL News

ARE THE HAWKS “TIRED” OF TATUM’S VOICE?

Larry Bird believed players began tuning out coaches after three years. Pat Riley reportedly put the limit at five, while Steve Kerr admitted his Golden State players were tired of hearing him in his fourth season. Now Justin Tatum is in his fourth season with Illawarra, and the Hawks have gone from NBL champions to the bottom of the ladder. Could they be experiencing the same problem? Justin Tatum transformed Illawarra from one of the NBL's worst teams into champions. But ahead of today's clash…
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NBL News

COULD BRIAN GOORJIAN HAVE SAVED THE MELBOURNE TIGERS?

In 2002, the Melbourne Tigers were fighting for survival when they identified an opportunity to attract supporters from their biggest rivals. Their plan to honour Brian Goorjian was blocked by the Victoria Giants, potentially changing the course of Melbourne basketball history. In 2002, the Melbourne Tigers devised a plan that could have changed the future of their club. The Tigers were emerging from financial administration, crowds were falling and the club had been forced to abandon its home at Vodafone Arena, now known as John…
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NBL News

GOLD COAST NBL EXPANSION SET TO BECOME A REALITY?

A new funding proposal, a crucial November meeting and renewed interest from the NBL could finally provide a pathway for professional basketball to return to the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast's long-running push to return to the NBL has reached another critical stage, with Mayor Tom Tate preparing to meet Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie in November to discuss the future of the proposed $1 billion Gold Coast Arena. After years of negotiations, changing timelines and funding setbacks, the city's hopes of securing an NBL…
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Podcasts

Paul Rees on NBL titles, battles with Brian Goorjian and small town success

Four-time NBL champion and 1994 Grand Final MVP Paul Rees joins the podcast to reflect on his journey from small-town basketball to a 17-season NBL career with the Brisbane Bullets, North Melbourne Giants and Adelaide 36ers. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with Rees about winning championships with North Melbourne and Adelaide, playing under Brett Brown and Phil Smyth, representing Australia at the 1994 World Championship, and battling Brian Goorjian and some of the NBL’s best teams throughout…
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NBL News

MELBOURNE UNITED NEEDS TO DECIDE: Are they the Tigers or not?

Jensen Bradtke wearing his father Mark’s famous No. 50 should be one of the great stories of NBL27. Instead, it has again exposed a question Melbourne United has never properly answered: when does Melbourne Tigers history belong to United, and when doesn’t it? Seeing BRADTKE and No. 50 together on a Melbourne basketball jersey again should be nothing other than a celebration. Jensen Bradtke is beginning his first season with Melbourne United, wearing the same number his father Mark wore through one of the great…
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NBL News

The Next Step: Breakout player candidates for NBL27

Every NBL pre-season, there is plenty of attention on players around the league who could take the next step in their professional basketball journey. A breakout can happen in different ways. For some players, it’s getting more opportunity. For an established player, it can mean building on what they have already achieved and elevating their game to another level. For others, it may simply take a new home where their skills can be maximised. Below are four players who I think are ready to break…
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Podcasts

Mario Donaldson on THAT 1994 NBL Dunk Contest and his time playing with Sydney & Canberra

Former Sydney Kings and Canberra Cannons import Mario Donaldson joins the podcast to revisit his time in the NBL, including competing in the famous 1994 NBL Dunk Contest, the highs and lows of his seasons in Sydney and Canberra, and the success he found playing around the world. Host Dan Boyce chats with Donaldson about arriving in Sydney in 1994 and playing alongside Leon Trimmingham, helping the Kings return to the playoffs and establishing himself as one of the league’s best outside shooters. Visit dunk.com.au…
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