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 1674 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 1730 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 1852 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 1456 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 806 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 2959 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 3233 Views

Podcasts

Mitch McCarron on What Went Wrong in Adelaide, United’s 2021 Championship & Overachieving in Cairns

Former NBL champion and Australian Boomer Mitch McCarron joins the podcast to reflect on retiring from professional basketball at just 32, what went wrong during his three seasons with the Adelaide 36ers, and narrowly missing out on representing Australia at an Olympics or World Cup. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with McCarron about the injuries which ultimately ended his NBL career, his transition into coaching and player relations, and why he continues to play basketball with Eltham…
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Podcasts

Darnell Mee on Adelaide’s 2001 Heartbreak, Defending NBL legends and more

Two-time NBL champion and five-time NBL Best Defensive Player Darnell Mee returns to the podcast to revisit the unfinished stories from one of the greatest careers in Australian basketball, including Adelaide’s heartbreaking 2001 playoff exit, his decision to leave the 36ers and the fight to keep the Cairns Taipans alive. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with Mee about watching his son Micale build his own basketball career in Australia, the chemistry behind Adelaide’s back-to-back championships, becoming teammates…
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NBL History

Australia’s Greatest Basketball Associations

Junior basketball development is where the Australian basketball journey begins. Before players represent Australia or reach the NBL, most first learn the game through their local basketball association. While hundreds of rookies have entered the NBL over the years, the same junior basketball programs regularly appear in their backgrounds. Some associations have developed significantly more NBL talent than others, establishing themselves as important pathways into professional basketball. Until now, a complete record of the junior association responsible for developing every player to have competed in…
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Podcasts

Matt Garrison on Winning Back-to-Back Titles with Multiple NBL Teams, NBA Opportunities and Aussie Hoops Impact Overseas

Two-time NBL champion Matt Garrison joins the podcast to reflect on winning back-to-back championships with two different teams, helping the Wollongong Hawks claim their first NBL title in 2001 before joining the Adelaide 36ers and winning it all again in 2002. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with Garrison about arriving in Wollongong as a mid-season import, adjusting from being a high-scoring starter to an important role off the bench, and being part of the Hawks team that…
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NBL History

Beyond the Arc: The Greatest Shooters in NBL History

In 1984, the NBL introduced the three-point line, forever altering the geometry of Australian basketball. Since then, the league has seen traditional snipers, stretch bigs and volume scorers completely revolutionise how offenses operate and defenses scramble. But as the modern game places a premium on spacing and perimeter shooting, a critical question arises: Who are the most efficient and devastating shooters in the 40-year history of the NBL? To cut through the noise, we have to look beyond raw percentages. By combining historical spreadsheet data…
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Podcasts

John Rillie on roster changes for NBL27, pressures from fans and media and Bryce Cotton/Trevor Gleeson narratives

Perth Wildcats head coach John Rillie joins the podcast to discuss the pressure that comes with coaching one of the NBL’s most successful clubs, the challenge of moving forward after Bryce Cotton’s departure, and what Perth needs to build its next championship contender. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with Rillie about taking over the Wildcats after the club missed the finals for the first time since 1986, the expectations of the Red Army, and how Perth’s three…
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Podcasts

Rolan Roberts on Kings Titles, Dunk Contest Injury and Playing for Brian Goorjian and Trevor Gleeson

Former Sydney Kings and Townsville Crocodiles big man Rolan Roberts joins the podcast to reflect on his time in Australia, including joining the Kings mid-season and helping them complete their historic 2005 NBL three-peat. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with Roberts about playing under Brian Goorjian, becoming a key interior presence for Sydney, and being part of the Kings team that became the first in NBL history to win three straight championships. The episode also dives into…
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Australian Boomers

Boomers: we’re not taking Patty and Bryce

At some point over the next 12 months, the Boomers are going to have to make a decision that Australian basketball has managed to avoid for almost two decades. Who exactly is this team built around now? Since 2010, that answer was simple. It was Patty Mills’ team. Mills has been the primary scorer for the Boomers for nearly two decades and few Australian victories have been recorded without a major scoring performance from Patty. But as the Boomers move toward the 2027 FIBA World…
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