Boomers hammer Bahrain 83-51 in World Cup qualifier
The Boomers cruised to an easy win over Bahrain but it was an opposition player who stole the show — and felt the love — from an appreciative Melbourne crowd.
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Sure, the Boomers won easily, but the real story of Australia’s Thursday night World Cup dead rubber was the emergence of a cult figure in the opposition camp.
Australia, top of group F, hammered bottom-placed Bahrain 83-51 but the most enjoyable moments of the night belonged to opposing forward Ali Hasan – A. Shukralla on his jersey – a bloke with a dad-bod that rivals this scribe’s finely-tuned physique.
Rolled out during the third quarter, Hasan grabbed the rock and loped to the rack, the murmur of the crowd rising to a roar when he was fouled by Boomers captain Nick Kay.
As he stood at the free throw line, stone-faced, and calmly potted the first free throw, the crowd roared even louder, star teammate Wayne Chism unable to hide his smile at the pure joy his teammate’s determination had given those in attendance.
From that moment on, every time Hasan touched the ball, the crowd went wild and, as he picked up his fifth foul and went to the bench late in the last, it hit fever pitch.
The 28-year-old family man played it up, too, waving to the crowd and smiling on the bench, appreciative of the fans’ love.
Bahrain coach Racem Marzougui said Hasan – who plays centre at just 194cm – was no slouch on the court, possessing a high basketball IQ and his humour made him one of the most popular members of the Bahraini camp.
“He play, not for himself, this is why they like him, everybody,” Marzougui said. “OK, big body, short guy but he play five position. In Bahrain, we don’t have a lot of big guy, let’s say the truth, but he play for his teammates, this is why they like him.
“He’s very funny, they like him a lot and, even today, the public make him more happy to play in this competition and to be in this level.
“It’s not easy to play against this side and all the public shout for him.
“I think if I get him out in the moment they will push me out, the public, that’s why I wait until he take the five fouls.”
As for the Boomers, they started out like a bunch of random hoopers who had only been together for four days, surrendering an unlikely lead to the basketball minnows.
But it didn’t take long for them to figure it out, lighting up Melbourne’s ‘burbs on the back of a three-point barrage from Wildcats, current and former, Todd Blanchfield and Rhys Vague.
Each drained a trio of three-pointers in the first half as the Boomers took moments to erase the advantage and dialled up the defence to hold Bahrain to just five in a second-quarter blitz that inflated the lead to 28.
So dominant were the Aussies without the ball in that second period, some of the Bahraini heaves at the end of the shot clock were more akin to what you might see on the domestic courts, metres away in Wantirna South’s State Basketball Centre.
Bahrain’s clashes are dead rubbers – they’re bottom of group F – and they had every reason to wave the white flag.
But it was the Boomers who flailed in the third as the effort dropped and execution disappeared, resulting in 7-19 period that trimmed the margin to 16 on the efforts of hulking centrepiece Wayne Chism.
Game on? Not quite.
The Boomers kicked back with a 34-8 burst that put it to bed, leaving debut Australian coach Dean Vickerman with a perfect 1-0 record.
He called the experience of being part of the national program a privilege.
“It’s just different, we do things a little bit differently and it’s great just learning how this culture is and I’m proud to be a part of this family now,” Vickerman said.
“It gets spoken about a lot at our club with (Boomers) (Chris) Goulding and (David) Barlow and these guys who have been a part of this for a long time about how special it is.
“We had some ex-Boomers … talk to the group (they said) playing Boomers’ basketball is the best, most-fun basketball that they’ve ever played in their career, wherever they’ve played.
“To experience it and have these guys really step up and give everything they’ve got defensively tonight – and we know there’s some areas we can improve on – just absolutely privileged to wear an Australian jersey.”
Blanchfield topped all scorers with 20 points and Isaac Humphries had 18 as the Boomers dominated the rebound count, 53-37.
Chism was easily Bahrain’s best with 15 points, 11 boards and four blocks.
ONE MORE TO GO
The Boomers’ path to the World Cup was well sealed before Thursday night’s win, but they still have one game left Sunday.
They’ll face Kazakhstan back at the State Basketball Centre before packing up shop and waiting for the real stuff to begin in late August.
Expect plenty more “Yeah, Toohey’s” from the bench as coach Dean Vickerman will hopefully seal the win and give teenage wunderkind Alex Toohey a ton of burn.
He, along with train on players Rocco Zikarsy, Ben Henshall and Alex Condon are the future of Australian basketball.
Should the Boomers even consider Ben Simmons for World Cup?
— Matt Logue and Michael Randall
The Boomers quest for back-to-back major medals is set to be an even tougher task than their history-making Olympic effort despite the prospect of naming a squad loaded with its highest NBA representation.
Australian basketball is surging after the Boomers ended a six-decade medal hoodoo with bronze at the Tokyo Olympics.
However, as Australia’s expectations rise, so does the level of international talent from all over the world.
A cast of the NBA’s finest players are expected to play at this year’s World Cup in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines in August and September, the spread of talent making the Boomers goal immeasurably difficult to achieve.
The likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks/Greece), Luka Doncic (Mavs/Slovenia) and Nikola Jokic (Nuggets/Serbia) have all indicated a desire to don their country’s colours at the tournament.
Team USA, of course, will be loaded with talent, no matter who chooses to play for the reigning Olympic gold medallists.
Boomers forward Nick Kay knows the rest of the world will be coming after the Australians following their bronze medal in Tokyo.
“We don’t have that underdog status anymore, we’ve got a target on our backs to go out there and we need to perform,” said Kay, who will captain Australia in this week’s World Cup qualifiers against Bahrain and Kazakhstan.
“We do have a chance of winning a gold.
“The World Cup’s such a huge tournament, you’ve got the best players throughout the world from every team and there’s such a focus on winning that gold by so many countries.”
Happy Rose Gold Day 🥉
— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) August 7, 2022
On this day on 2021, the Australian Boomers won their first-ever major international medal in men's basketball at the Tokyo Olympics 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/nIvqQ6yle4
Kay said his side relished the added external expectation that comes with winning Olympic bronze.
He believes the Boomers had always had the motto “gold vibes only”, meaning the greatest expectation had always come from within.
“I guess it’s now just that recognition a bit more from others and with that comes an expectation to perform and we want that, we want to be able to go out there and say we’re the best team in the world and we’ve got to perform that way to do so,” he said.
It comes as this year’s projected No. 1 NBA draft pick Victor Wembanyama has declared he‘ll play for France at the World Cup.
Wembanyama will partake in the draft on June 22, and will commence training with his chosen NBA team, but he still plans to represent his country at the Cup.
“My goal is to win medals and titles with France, and I’m really excited for this window, the FIBA World Cup, 2024 Olympics and the many years after that I hope to compete at the highest level with Les Bleus,” Wembanyama told FIBA Basketball.
“It’s very important in my career, and I want to help the team win medals and titles for many years to come.”
Wemby says he is IN 🔥 🇫🇷#WinForFrance | #FIBAWCpic.twitter.com/VjkCwif8MY
— FIBA Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) February 21, 2023
Wembanyama’s intent to succeed for a French side coming off a silver at the Tokyo Olympics and bronze medals in the past two World Cups, puts the rest of the hoops world on notice.
Crosscourt opted against selecting Ben Simmons in our best Boomers World Cup squad. Simmons is bereft of confidence at the Nets and currently isn’t the right fit for Australia.
Crosscourt best Boomers team for the World Cup in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines from August 25 to September 10:
Patty Mills, Josh Giddey, Joe Ingles, Jock Landale, Josh Green, Aron Baynes, Matisse Thybulle, Nick Kay, Duop Reath, Dante Exum, Xavier Cooks, Chris Goulding
BOOMERS WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS: State Basketball Centre, Wantirna South
Thursday 23 February, 7pm AEDT – Australia v Bahrain
Sunday 26 February, 3pm AEDT – Australia v Kazakhstan
REID TIPPED TO FACE BUFORD AGAIN IN GRAND FINAL:
Veteran referee Chris Reid is tipped to receive a call-up for the NBL grand final series, paving the way for him to come face-to-face with his biggest critic, Sydney Kings coach Chase Buford.
Reid’s appointment comes a week-and-a-half after Buford said, “Chris Reid sucks” on the broadcast following an incorrect flopping call during Sydney’s Game 2 semi-final loss to Cairns.
The Kings mentor was hit with a $1875 fine for two counts of unsportsmanlike behaviour, which included abusing the officials.
Buford’s tense relationship with Reid dates back to last season when the Kings mentor questioned the NBL official’s integrity.
He was fined $10,000 and handed a suspended one-match ban for insinuating Reid held a bias against his team and writing profanities on the officials’ door following a close loss to Illawarra.
It will be fascinating to see how Buford responds throughout the grand final series if Reid produces an incorrect call.
Sydney received some solace when Nico Fernandez – the referee who made the incorrect flopping call on Kouat Noi – was dropped for last week’s Game 3 semi-final clash against the Taipans.
SIMON’S DONOVON ‘SPIDER’ MITCHELL LINK:
The last time Sydney Kings defensive stud Justin Simon won a championship he was a high school student on the same floor as NBA-All-Star Donovan Mitchell.
Simon has come a long way from his days at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire alongside Mitchell, but he is yet to add another title to his trophy cabinet.
The Los Angeles-born shooting guard has failed to secure silverware throughout his college and professional career, dating back to 2016.
Fortunately for Simon, he has a chance to end his championship drought with Sydney this season.
The Kings are favourites to beat the New Zealand Breakers in this year’s series, which starts with Game 1 at Qudos Bank Arena on March 3.
Simon is feeling confident about adding another title to the high school Prep Championship he won alongside Mitchell.
“That Brewster Academy team was special, and it was a special time in my life,” Simon said.
“We had Donovan and Jalen Adams from UConn.
“It will also be something special with this Kings group if we can win a championship.”
BULLETS’ CONTROL PROMISE FOR SCHUELLER:
The moment Justin Schueller was hired as Brisbane‘s head coach, change in the Bullets front office was certain.
Schueller, the gun Melbourne United assistant who has a long history coaching the country‘s best junior talent, has been handed a big say in the club’s personnel decisions moving forward.
It meant that club legend Sam Mackinnon – already at odds with chief executive Peter McLennan – was moved on, his role as general manager of basketball made redundant.
Crosscourt understands roster control was part of Schueller’s pitch to the Bullets when he interviewed for the job, and it makes sense – he’s been brought in to rejuvenate the flailing program.
A club legend has become the latest victim of Brisbane Bullets' power struggle. @mattlogue7 reports: https://t.co/DcJT8exrhipic.twitter.com/K6zAB34yS2
— Courier Mail Sport (@cmail_sport) February 21, 2023
The Bullets made the mistake of building a roster with little input from previous coach James Duncan and it resulted, in part, to his departure, during a disjointed season that ended with just eight wins.
Schueller begins his tenure with the building blocks of Boomers Aron Baynes and Nathan Sobey, while the club has executed young forward DJ Mitchell’s option – they see a DJ Hogg-type ceiling in the 25-year-old forward.
Crosscourt understands the Bullets plan to re-sign at least some other players from last year‘s roster but are focusing heavily on the recruitment of a blue-chip point guard to run the show as part of the build.
KING JAMES HIGH ON GIDDEY:
LeBron James continues to be one of Josh Giddey’s biggest fans.
Twelve months after heaping Giddey with praise, James was at it again during last week’s NBA All-Star when asked about the gifted Australian guard.
“Josh Giddey is really, really good, man,” James said.
“Obviously, a tall point guard. He is a triple-double-type of playmaker every single night because of his ability to rebound at his size, his distinctive passing and he has the ability to score in the paint.
“I think he is going to continue to get better and better.”
Josh Giddey has a fan in LeBron James 😠#NBAAllStarpic.twitter.com/eXUmgnkXu7
— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) February 20, 2023
James believes Giddey’s youthful OKC Thunder side is destined for sustained success in the future.
The Thunder currently sit in 10th position in the Western Conference, just one win behind the ninth-placed Golden State Warriors.
OKC continue to defy the odds, even without No. 2 draft pick Chet Holmgren, who is sidelined for the season with a foot injury.
“They have a really good young core over in OKC,” James continued.
“They don’t even have Chet (Holmgren) there just yet.
“Josh is a really good player, along with the other rookies that they have this year.
“Obviously, we know first-time (All-Star) Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander) is really good and the rest of that crew over there.
“Pretty good player, for sure. You guys should be proud.”
OLYMPIAN URGES BOOMERS TO UNLEASH 16YO WHIZ KID
Matt Logue
Four-time Olympian Ray Borner has urged the Boomers to think of the future and blood rising big man Rocco Zikarsky in this week’s World Cup qualifiers.
Borner is concerned about Australia’s top-layer of centre depth, especially with Aron Baynes nearing the end of his stellar career.
Baynes, 36, could play in Paris 2024, but its tipped to be his final Olympic campaign.
The Boomers possess decent depth via Jock Landale, Duop Reath and a cast of gifted juniors like seven-footer Bowyn Beatty, but the next generation bigs require more polish and experience to make the step up.
It’s why Borner wants to see 16-year-old Zikarsky – who has been named as a training player – receive game-time against Bahrain and Kazakhstan given Australia has already qualified for the World Cup.
“There is nothing wrong with putting in young Rocco now,” said Borner, a hard-nosed centre who represented the Boomers at the 1984, 1988, 1992 and 1996 Olympics.
“We know he (Rocco) isn’t ready yet age wise, but it’s worth giving him some game time to show him what it is all about.
“It will only help with his development because he’ll understand roles and the team’s culture.
“He can literally grow up as a player with the guys around him in the Boomers squad, rather than just coming in and the expectation is that you are going to be the man.”
Zikarsky, a Queenslander and NBA Global Academy product who stands at 220cm, is currently on the NBL’s radar as a potential Next Star.
The Boomers squad for next week’s FIBA World Cup qualifiers is in. Alex Toohey will be joined by three teenage train-on players. Nick Kay, Mitch McCarron & Nate Sobey head a Dean Vickerman squad that features Isaac Humphries back in green & gold.
— Michael Randall (@MickRandallHS) February 15, 2023
READ: https://t.co/Rm2VF4ygQGpic.twitter.com/L8zXOwl71H
He will be joined in the Boomers squad by fellow train-on players in Western Australian duo Ben Henshall and Alex Condon.
Henshall (guard) and Condon (centre) played starring roles to lead their state to under-20 men’s glory at the national championships in Geelong last week.
Both had 24 points apiece in the gold medal game as they showcased why they’re among the country’s best basketball prospects.
Borner is rapt to see the next generation Boomers given a chance to shine.
He understands the importance of blooding emerging players after seeing Russia give a young Arvydas Sabonis a shot in 1982, paving the way for him to become an Olympic gold medallist and Hall of Famer.
“Sabonis was around 16 at the time and he was on the end of the bench,” he said.
“The team would go in for halftime and he’d be out on the court shooting around.
“We saw him, we knew he wasn’t ready, but he was still part of that growth and journey.
“I think our young Boomers players can also benefit from playing still if we give them a chance.”
BOOMERS WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS: State Basketball Centre, Wantirna South
Thursday, February 23 vs Bahrain
Sunday, February 26 vs Kazakhstan
Mitch McCarron (36ers), Mitch Norton (Wildcats), Nathan Sobey (Bullets), Kyle Adnam (Phoenix), Nick Marshall (36ers), Dan Grida (Hawks), Todd Blanchfield (Wildcats), Alex Toohey (ACT, Gonzaga), Rhys Vague (Kagawa Five Arrows, Japan), Mason Peatling (United), Isaac Humphries (United), Nick Kay (Shimane Susanoo Magic, Japan)
TRAINING PLAYERS
Rocco Zikarsky (NBA GA), Alex Condon (WA), Ben Henshall (WA)
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