Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis says he was spoiled for choice picking World Cup qualifier squad

AUSTRALIAN coach Andrej Lemanis says he was spoilt for choice for the Boomers squad that is one win away from officially booking a ticket to next year’s FIBA World Cup.

Cameron Gliddon returns to the Boomers after battling injury.

Update: Australian Boomers and Brisbane Bullets coach Andrej Lemanis swears that players return from international duties with a spring in their step.

So he is expecting Brisbane to be firing in the NBL next month.

The Bullets have seven players involved in the next FIBA World Cup qualifying window at the end of this month and in early December when the NBL will have a bye week.

Cam Gliddon, Matt Hodgson and Jason Cadee will be with the Boomers for their clashes with Iran and Qatar in Melbourne while the Tall Blacks trio of Mika Vukona, Reuben Te Rangi and Tyrell Harrison will be away on national duties along with Japanese guard Makoto Hiejima.

Cameron Gliddon returns to the Boomers after battling injury.

Australia needs to win just one of their matches to lock in a spot at next year’s FIBA World Cup in China and made three changes to the squad that beat Qatar and Kazakhstan in September.

Gliddon – third in the NBL for scoring with 19.4 points per game after twice surpassing career-high points hauls this season – has been recalled after missing the last two matches with a back injury while dual Olympian and two-time World Cup representative David Barlow has been brought back into the Boomers fold.

Melbourne United forward Craig Moller will make his Boomers debut.

Coach Andrej Lemanis is happy with Australia’s depth of talent.

“We (Bullets) went after good players and what comes with that is the disruption with the FIBA window,’’ Lemanis said.

“Everytime players get the opportunity to go and play internationally they come back into the club environment with a little renewed energy, a little refreshed.

“They’ve played some quality opposition and spent some time with other quality players and it tends to translate into good form.’’

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Lemanis said he was spoilt for choice when it came to picking the latest NBL-based Boomers squad.

“I say this every time we name a team but it’s such a luxury having this depth of talent available to select from in Australian basketball,” Lemanis said.

“I’d like to recognise all players in the broader squad and again highlight that each one of them contributes to the success of the Boomer program over time – the team is fluid and everyone contributes in different ways at different times.

David Barlow has been in great form for Melbourne United.

“The absolute commitment to acting in the best interests of the team is a trait that we should all be extremely proud of in our players.’’

Boomers squad: David Barlow, Todd Blanchfield, Angus Brandt, Jason Cadee, Cameron Gliddon, Matt Hodgson, Daniel Johnson, Nick Kay, Mitch McCarron, Craig Moller, Mitch Norton, Nathan Sobey.

November 30: Australia v Iran at Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne

December 3: Australia v Qatar at Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne

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