Boomers lose Ryan Broekhoff and Isaac Humphries on the eve of pre-Olympic camp
The Boomers’ impressive depth will come to the fore after Ryan Broekhoff and Isaac Humphries withdrew from Australia’s Olympic squad.
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Boomers sharpshooter Ryan Broekhoff has pulled out of Australia’s Olympic campaign as he steps away to deal with mental health issues.
Broekhoff’s difficult decision to withdraw from Australia’s 19-man squad is a blow given his NBA and European experience and his potent three-point presence.
He also excelled for Australia at the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2014 World Cup in Spain.
However, sometimes there is more to life than basketball, and this is the classic example.
Broekhoff has endured a rollercoaster 12 months, although it’s understood his issues aren’t basketball related.
The 30-year-old confirmed his personal struggles in a statement released by Basketball Australia on Friday night, saying: “For me to play at my best I need to be mentally and physically firing, and I’m not there right now.
“My mental health is something I have struggled with for a long time and I think it’s important for me to put my hand up and admit when things aren’t ok and that it is time to seek help.
“To play at this level, the team needs me to be 100%, I can’t in all good conscience say that I’m in a place to deliver that.
“Everyone who knows me understands the gut-wrenching decision this is, as representing my country is the highest honour I have had in my career. I know that Goorj (coach Brian Goorjian) and the team can bring home the gold and I will be cheering on from home.”
Adelaide big man Isaac Humphries has also withdrawn from the Boomers Olympic squad as he continues rehab on a foot injury.
With Ben Simmons also expected not to take part, the original 19-man squad has been reduced to 16 players ahead of the team’s drop-in camp in LA.
That squad will be reduced to 15 (12 and three replacements) for the official pre-Olympic Boomers camp in Las Vegas.
Broekhoff is particularly a big loss for the Boomers, but he wants to take time out after a busy period personally.
He was waived by the Philadelphia 76ers last December, just three weeks after he re-signed with the franchise.
He also didn‘t travel with the 76ers to Orlando for the 2020 NBA season restart because his wife tested positive for Covid-19.
He was hoping to relaunch his NBA career at Philadelphia alongside fellow Australian Ben Simmons following an interrupted 2020 season at Dallas.
Broekhoff also fractured his leg before being waived by the Mavericks.
He played in 59 games for Dallas over two seasons, shooting 40.3 per cent from three-point range.
Broekhoff’s preference was to remain in the NBA or go to Europe, but with no deal and coronavirus cases still surging in the US, a return to Australia with South East Melbourne was the most logical fit for the boy from Frankston.
He endured a mixed maiden NBL season with the Phoenix that was impacted by injury while he also shot 43 per cent from the field in his 16 games.
He was also quiet compared with his high standards during the franchise’s semi-final series against Melbourne United.
Originally published as Boomers lose Ryan Broekhoff and Isaac Humphries on the eve of pre-Olympic camp
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