The FIBA Basketball World Cup is in less than a month, and members of the Boomers squad are all vying for their spot on the Boomers roster at the ongoing selection camp in Cairns. With the squad featuring ten NBA rostered players – the most in Boomers’ history – selection will be more difficult than at any other point in national team history.
We take a look at each player and lock in who we think makes the final 12-man rotation.
Patty Mills – 34 – G – Atlanta Hawks
It’s been a whirlwind offseason for the beloved veteran – having been traded three times this recent offseason. From the Nets to the Rockets, then the Thunder before finally arriving in Atlanta.
Mills has seen playing time dwindle in the NBA the past season, but the national stage is where ‘Boomers Patty’ is unleashed. Mills averaged 23 points and 6 assists in Tokyo, which included his 42 point explosion in the bronze medal game.
Since 2008, he has been Australia’s most effective offensive player, averaging 19.6 points (39 games) and leading the national team in scoring over the past 15 years.
Mills, is the man responsible for the Boomers culture right now, having organised the team’s pretournament tours to the Northern Territory in 2019 and to Far North Queensland this month. The BBQs, the bus wrapped in Boomer’s colours, and the communities the team pass through on the way to the world cup are all because of Mills. He is inarguably the heart and soul of the team and will be the first name called on selection day without question – and rightfully so.
Xavier Cooks – 27 – G/F – Washington Wizards
Coming off a stellar NBL season in which he won the MVP and a title with the Kings, Cooks was rewarded with a two-year deal to join the Washington Wizards. Having only played ten NBA games so far, it’s unclear what his role for the Wizards will be, but NBL fans are already familiar with his ability to handle the ball, hit the three-ball, create, rebound, and get to the basket… all skills that saw him selected for Boomers squad in 2016. Injury stole that opportunity from Cooks but having improved his game vastly since then and the frontcourt being the weaker area of the team, we say Cooks makes the team and showcases his “Mr Fix It” abilities in a number of versatile roles by the end of August.
Dyson Daniels – 20 – G/F – New Orleans Pelicans
Like Cooks, Daniels’ versatility makes him an exciting piece for the national piece. Most naturally suited to playing at the guard position, but the size and wingspan to defend any spots one through three.
Daniels’ rookie campaign for the Pels’ left fans excited about his ability to defend – notably locking up Luka Doncic in their matchups. With a rapidly developing passing ability and Daniels’ is a lock to make the team, deserving a spot on this squad and laying the foundation for Boomer’s squads of the future.
Matthew Dellavedova – 32 – G – Melbourne United
Delly surprised a lot last year when he was given an NBA recall with the Sacramento Kings. In limited minutes, the veteran still showed his ability to dish out dimes and maintain a respectable three-point percentage. The competition for spots in the Boomers’ backcourt is the toughest it’s been in the history of the program.
Although the Boomers could clearly benefit from his defence and leadership, he won’t be a part of the team in late August, with Chris Anstey and other media folk saying this message has already been communicated to Delly.
Despite this, the foundations of this Boomers’ team have been built partly by Dellavedvoa, and his contribution to the team during its preparation will be invaluable.
Dante Exum – 28 – G – Dallas Mavericks
After a career chock full of horror injuries, Dante spent the last two seasons in the Euroleague. Last season, he averaged 14 points, 2.7 assists while shooting 39% from the three-point line with Partizan, earning himself an NBA recall with the Dallas Mavericks. Boomers fans will vividly remember his contributions on defence during the Bronze medal game at the Tokyo Olympics, which may have gone a different way without him.
At only 28 years old, Exum is at his peak, and there’s no way Goorjian doesn’t have him in the final squad. His familiarity with European players will have no doubt have him being one of the first players off the bench once tournament play begins.
Josh Giddey – 20 – G/F – OKC Thunder
Next Star, Rookie of the Year, NBA Draft Pick, All-Rookie First Team, Rising Star… at only 20 years old, Giddey is touted as the future of the national team. Giddey has always been able to rack up rebounds and assists seemingly without trying, but he’s also made strides as a scorer over the past year. Boosting his scoring from 12.5 points to 16.6 points, alongside 7.8 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game.
Giddey’s shooting improved considerably from year one to year two, lifting from 26% to 32%, and after an intensive off-season, the word is he’s developed that aspect of his game once again and will surprise many during the World Cup with perimeter scoring.
Giddey is a lock to make the squad, and there is no reason why he won’t be the team’s starting point guard.
Chris Goulding – 34 – G/F – Melbourne United
Another stalwart of the Boomers who has a number of coaches, Toronto Raptors assistant Trevor Gleeson among them, publicly stated Goulding should remain a part of the squad for this tournament. One thing that won’t be questioned is his ability to knock down the three-ball.
While some suspected Goulding to start slowing down at year 34, he is coming off one of his best NBL seasons yet, averaging 17.1 points and nailing 37% of his long-range bombs. Goulding has acknowledged that he knows earning selection for this tournament will be tough and spent the off-season playing for Paris (averaging 10.6 points per game at 40% three-point percentage) in the French National League to ensure he was in the best possible shape coming into this Boomers selection camp.
While Goulding has his supporters, and the Boomerrs could use a guy who can come into the game as a specialist scorer if they happen to be down in the fourth quarter, and although we say Goulding misses out on selection for this tournament, there will definitely be games that they wish they could bring him in off the bench.
Joe Ingles – 35 – G/F – Orlando Magic
Coming off a torn ACL, ‘Jingling Joe’ showed there’s still life in him yet – playing 22 mins per game for the Bucks in the regular season and collecting 3 assists and 3 boards per game.
Ingles is already one of the game’s greatest three-point shooters and finished the NBA season shooting 40% from the perimeter. Although he may not be as quick as he was in prior tournaments, he can still score, defend and create plays, making him a definite inclusion in the squad.
Ingles’ knowledge of the Boomers system and ability to pass that on to the new team members during this selection camp will determine how locked in the team is once the tournament starts. While Mills may be the team’s heart, Ingles is the glue and equally important to the team earning their first World Cup medal.
Josh Green – 22 – F – Dallas Mavericks
After a breakout season in the NBA, where he was in the starting line-up for 21 games, Green will be looking to build on his 2020 Olympic campaign. Green has an amazing ability to rebound and read the game, which will bode well for the national team. With stalwarts Mills and Ingles aging, we feel Green is the player who fill the scoring void this tournament and expect him to finish among the team’s leading scorers.
Having shown, he can score consistently in the high 20s in the NBA and coming off a season shooting at 40% behind the arc in the NBA last season. Green has not only shown he is a lock for the squad but that he will be a huge part of their success.
At just 22 years old, not only will he be on the squad, but this will be Green’s breakout tournament, pairing with Giddey and Daniels to form a new young nucleus for the Boomers’ futures beyond this World Cup.
Nick Kay – 30 – F/C – Shimane Magic (Japan)
Kay’s selection at the previous world championships surprised some, and his contributions to that team surprised many. Since then, he has been a key to the Boomers’ frontcourt. His value to the team was even more evident during the recent Olympics, where he averaged 11 pts and 6 rebounds, stepping up in the absence of the injured Aron Baynes.
Since losing legendary big men from the squad like Baynes, David Andersen and Andrew Bogut, Kay has quietly stepped in and kept the team moving forward with very few noticing… Brian Goorjian is not one of those people.
Not only does Kay deliver the intangibles Goorjian knows the team needs, but he has also been a constant of the team during the Boomers’ qualifying games, captaining the team and averaging 12 points, 6.6 rebounds and an impressive 4.8 assists per game.
Even with Kay gaining permission to miss the start of camp for the arrival of his first child, he is a sure thing for selection, with only external family matters likely to keep him out of the team.
Jock Landale – 27 – F/C – Houston Rockets
Landale has boosted his NBA profile significantly in recent times, gaining the attention of all 30 NBA teams with his play for the Suns in the NBA playoffs. There, he averaged 6 points and 4 rebounds in 16 mins of court time and having starred in Euroleague before the NBA, like Exum, he will bring a strong knowledge of the team’s European competition to the team.
While Mills is expected to anchor the backcourt, Landale will do so in the frontcourt. A key piece of the Tokyo Olympic squad, Landale adds rim protection, rebounding, and nous around the basket – complimented by his above-averaging three-point shooting, which will undoubtedly be on show during the World Cup.
With the centre position clearly the team’s weakest spot, not only is Landale’s inclusion a certainty but he’ll also be relied on to lead the team in minutes played as well.
Sam Froling – 23 – F/C – Illawarra Hawks
Froling is coming off his best NBL season, where he averaged 14 points and 8 rebounds, establishing himself as the Hawk’s franchise player. Although he is the least decorated player of the group, developed his game under Goorjian and has been included in the camp over longtime Boomers big man Aron Baynes, his future in the team seems to be a lock. His skill set and ability to screen and rebound are better than anyone in the squad not named Landale or Kay.
These attributes are what made Nick Kay such a vital piece in the Boomers’ last two major tournaments, and with the team set to utilise Landale and Kay this World Cup, Froling won’t earn selection this time round, but there is no doubt that he will fill that role for the green and gold in the future.
Thon Maker – 26 – F/C – Fujian Sturgeons (China)
Possibly the biggest unknown in the squad. The journeyman has spent time in the G League, Israel and China since he left the NBA in 2021, and many forget he is still only 26 (at least that’s what’s on his birth certificate).
The longest and perhaps most athletic player on the extended roster, with several impressive showings in FIBA qualifying games, we believe has him making the final 12-man squad.
He averaged 17 points and 8.8 rebounds at the 2022 Asia Cup, including several highlight plays. With a clear gap at the centre position in the team’s second unit, Maker will don the green and gold for the first time in a major tournament.
Keanu Pinder – 28 – F – Perth Wildcats
After a breakout season that saw Pinder make history, becoming the only player to win the NBL’s Most Improved Player award twice, posting 16 points and 9 rebounds per game, both a career-best, it’s not a surprise he is on the radar of several NBA teams.
Playing for Phoenix at the recent NBA summer league, Pinder impressed a number of teams, and while he is contracted to play for Perth this season, he could still end up on an NBA roster.
This level of success, however, no longer qualifies you for a spot on the Boomers, with more than one player with NBA experience set to miss out on selection for this tournament.
Pinder sadly won’t be a part of this World Cup team, but it’s fair to say this experience will no doubt have him in elite form and a favourite to win the NBL’s MVP award this season as a result.
Duop Reath – 27 – F/C – Free Agent
Like Nick Kay, his selection at the Olympics surprised a few, but when his name was called, he stepped up in limited minutes. Having recently played for Lebanese club Al-Riyadi, his future for this season is uncertain, with him currently training with the Wildcats and still waiting on offers.
A return to his hometown of Perth could be on the cards, which would pair him with Pinder and give the Wildcats the most dominant frontcourt on paper since the days of the ‘Perth Wall’, featuring Andrew Vlahov, James Crawford and Scott Fisher.
His ability to score and rebound isn’t deniable, he’s coming off a season in which he put up great numbers (averaging 26 pts and 9.8 rebounds) in Beirut, and he plays a position where the Boomers are weakest. The team can’t suffer through another big man injury like it did in Japan and rely only on Landale as its only true centre, making Reath a necessary selection.
Matisse Thybulle – 26 – G/F – Portland Trail Blazers
A frustrating start to last season’s NBA campaign for Matisse, he saw his playing time cut at Philly to the point where he was out of the rotation before landing at the Blazers at the trade deadline, where he went on to average 27 minutes per game.
Our newest adopted Aussie endeared himself to Boomers fans at the Olympics, where he provided some shooting and defensive intensity – averaging 3 steals across the campaign. This team now has depth, and with the emergence of Dyson Daniels, Xavier Cooks, and with Giddey’s inclusion, there is suddenly a log jam at the Guard/Wing position. Still, Matisse is by far the best defender in the camp, and while he doesn’t provide the playmaking that the others do, he will earn a spot on the squad.
Plus we need him back in the squad if only for his regular Boomers vlogs!
Jack White – 25 – F – OKC Thunder
The Duke graduate got his first taste of NBA action last year, appearing in 17 games for the Nuggets in limited minutes. On top of that, he was dominant in the G League – averaging 21 pts and 9.6 rebounds for the season.
White is truly a ‘Goorjian’ type player, with an undeniable work ethic (remember when he gained several inches on his vertical during a year where he ruptured his Achilles), an ever-improving three-point shot and a tenacious attitude to defence. He has the Goorjian skillset in spades, but all this considered, we still don’t see him making the Boomers squad for this tournament.
White’s omission will be the toughest call of the selection process, with experienced Boomer’s Maker, Reath and Kay earning selection over him. However, if there is any uncertainty around the frontcourt, being Kay needing to stay home for family reasons or injury to a frontcourt player, there is no doubt that White’s name will be added to the final squad
Will McDowell-White – 25 – G – New Zealand Breakers
Another key part of the squad that dominated in qualifying, WMW was the most sought-after talent in the NBL this off-season before choosing to re-sign with the Breakers. A true pass-first point guard who most likely would have made the squad if there were any injuries to players in the point guard spot. With the team seeming healthy, McDowell-White will instead look to use this experience to develop his game for the next tournament.
Similar to Dellavedova, Froling and White, WMW will be pushing others to the limit in practice and will have a decent part to play in any success they have in the World Cup.
Our Squad Prediction:
Backcourt: Patty Mills, Josh Giddey, Dante Exum, Dyson Daniels
Perimeter Players: Matisse Thybulle, Joe Ingles, Xavier Cooks, Josh Green
Frontcourt: Jock Landale, Thon Maker, Duop Reath, Nick Kay
Missing out: William McDowell-White, Keanu Pinder, Jack White, Sam Froling, Matthew Dellavedova, Chris Goulding
Liam is a C Grade basketball player with an A Grade love for the game.
