Basketball World Cup 2023: Boomers name 18-man squad but no Ben Simmons or Aron Baynes

The Boomers have released their talent-stacked squad for the upcoming World Cup and there are two big names missing from the list. So why didn’t they make the cut?

Michael Randall

@MickRandallHS

3 min read

May 8, 2023 - 11:02AM

Ben Simmons is not among the squad. Picture: Justin Ford/Getty Images

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Ten NBA players are among the most-talented 18-man Boomers squad ever assembled, setting up an intense battle for spots on a World Cup team facing huge expectations after Australia’s history-making Tokyo Olympic bronze medal.

Next-gen stars Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels are confirmed for the camp, alongside the likes of Patty Mills, Joe Ingles and Jock Landale, who is making a huge impact for the Phoenix Suns in the NBA playoffs.

SEE THE FULL 18-MAN SQUAD BELOW

As expected, Ben Simmons is not part of the initial squad, but the three-time NBA All Star, who is racing the clock to fully recover from last year’s major back surgery, has signalled his intent to don the green and gold and will be given every chance to prove his fitness and commitment to the national team’s cause.

Six players will be culled from the initial 18, with the potential for warm-up games before the Boomers kick off their World Cup campaign in Japan on August 25, leaving coach Brian Goorjian with a wealth of talent — and hard decisions to make.

Ben Simmons is not in the squad. Picture: Getty Images

“Pulling together this extended squad has taken time — it’s been a thorough process,” Goorjian said.

“The coaches and I have had many discussions about getting the mix right but I’m really pleased with where we’ve landed with the guys we’ve selected.

“There’s a good balance across the court.

“The fact it’s been so tough goes to show the depth of talent we have in Australian basketball right now.”

The biggest surprise is the omission of hulking big man Aron Baynes, given the Boomers’ lack a genuine gorilla to bash and crash in the paint with the world’s heavyweight centres like Bam Adebayo (USA) or Rudy Gobert (France). Baynes suffered a serious back injury in Tokyo and has worked hard to first get back on his feet and then back on the court with the Brisbane Bullets.

Baynes’ Brisbane teammate Nathan Sobey, who has struggled through two injury-riddled campaigns, is the only other Olympic bronze medallist missing from the squad.

South East Melbourne star Mitch Creek is also a notable absentee, given he finished in the top three of the NBL’s MVP race and has dominated the league for the past two seasons.

Giddey, a generational talent who showed significant improvement in his second season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, is a certainty to be on the plane to Japan.

Josh Giddey. Picture: Getty Images

“I’ve always dreamed of playing for the Boomers and representing Australia, so to get this opportunity is really special and I’m looking forward to competing at the World Cup,” Giddey said.

“There’s a lot of talent in this squad and I think we’ve got a good chance of matching it with every team – I’m excited for the challenge and to see what we can produce as a group on the world stage.”

South East Melbourne part-owner Dante Exum, who was the victim of a shocking body slam during an ugly incident in a recent Euroleague game, will be at the early-August Cairns training camp, as will Melbourne United sharpshooter Chris Goulding, who headlines a list of four NBL players in the extended squad.

The Boomers have stability in the coaching ranks, Goorjian’s rose gold Olympic support team unchanged, with Matthew Nielsen, Adam Caporn and David Patrick in charge.

The World Cup begins on August 25, with the Aussies grouped with hosts Japan, Finland and Germany.