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 for a berth at the Tokyo Olympics. So, let’s see whose ‘got next’ shall we?

Jock Landale

Rumours of potential landing spots for Jock are heating up heading into the 20/21 NBL season, but one thing that is no rumour is that he is almost certain to make the Tokyo Olympic squad. Landale was one of the surprise packets of the World Cup, coming from relative obscurity to impress in the warm-up series against Canada and the USA and nab a starting spot in one of the Boomers greatest ever teams.

Jonah Bolden

Jonah Bolden did himself no favours with Boomer’s fans and selectors when he opted out of the Boomers campaign just before the series against Team USA, leaving the team “high and dry” allegedly due to a lack of playing time. But with a new coaching staff and the likely exodus of some of the player’s group, all possibly could be forgiven in exchange for his obvious physical gifts. Bolden is yet to receive an NBA deal so his playing future is in flux.

Thon Maker

Thon Maker at 23-years-old remains a project. He has all of the physical traits of an elite NBA specimen but has yet to make consistent contributions at that level. Thon’s length and athleticism, however, puts him in relatively rare air in an Olympic campaign; and his length and shot-blocking ability would at least soothe the loss of Bogut’s rim protection, if not his otherworldly passing ability. Thon has a camp invite with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Will Magnay

Will Magnay is the NBL-to-NBA dreamboat.  Not since Chris Anstey in 1997 has an Australian NBL player gone from development player to starter, to NBA contract quite so decisively. And like Thon and Bogut, it’s very much his defensive acumen that put him on the NBA radar. Despite Will’s burgeoning NBA credentials, he remains something of a longshot at making the 2021 Olympic team, given the logjam at the centre and power forward positions. But if Will’s skill set matches the playstyle Goorjian is looking for, it would be no surprise to see Will boarding a flight to Tokyo.

Isaac Humphries

Isaac Humphries is a big body with an all-court, inside-outside game honed in the NBA G-League and with spot appearances in the NBA itself. Isaac might be another long shot to make the Olympic team but given his steady and sharp progression as a player since winning the NBL rookie of the year award, his ceiling would appear to be one of the highest in this group. Showing increasing mobility, athleticism and shooting ability, a standout campaign with the Adelaide 36ers this season could see him leapfrog other prospects on the list.

Mangok Mathiang

Mangok is a player unknown to most Australians so it may surprise some of you to know that he is among our most successful active big men. A refugee from Sudan, Mangok has spent the last three years bouncing between two-way NBA deals and now, in some of the top European leagues, bringing his brand of physical, tough basketball with him. Mangok is yet another Sudanese-Australian prodigy set to change the face of the Boomers program in coming years.

Ben Simmons?

Okay, look, hear us out here. If Ben is available, he walks onto the Boomers team – no problems. But for most projections, he is a starting point guard, or possibly “point-forward”. But Simmons has shown the ability to defend the post and score inside. He also has the IQ and confidence to call plays from inside the paint. There is no universe where Ben Simmons comes off the bench for the Boomers but there certainly could be one where his versatility is used across multiple positions. We may even see shades of Bogut-like backdoor passes from the elbow…

Jarrad Hurley (79 Posts)

Jarrad Hurley's professional basketball aspirations led him to the dizzying heights of the Adelaide social league circuit. After an epiphany that his hoop dreams would go unrealised, he put the ball down and picked up a pen. Jarrad lives vicariously through the successes of Australian basketball, is a mad 36ers fanatic, and might just cry if the Boomers ever medal.