Unlucky Boomers omission for Cairns Taipans centre Nate Jawai

There was an unlucky Australian Boomers omission for Cairns Taipans centre Nate Jawai following encouraging NBL form. Also, find out if skipper Alex Loughton will be fit to play Perth on Saturday night.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND — NOVEMBER 09: Nate Jawai of the Taipans competes for a rebound against Tai Wesley of the Breakers during the round five NBL match between the New Zealand Breakers and the Cairns Taipans at Spark Arena on November 9, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)

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RESURGENT centre Nate Jawai has missed selection for the Australian Boomers team for the fifth window of FIBA World Cup qualifiers later this month.

The former NBA big man will have to consider himself unlucky not be pulling on the green and gold again after posting 17 points and 10 rebounds on Sunday in the loss to Melbourne, as well as an encouraging start to the season.

Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis, who also coaches Brisbane in the NBL, opted to go with currently injured Perth Wildcat Angus Brandt and Matthew Hodgson, from the Brisbane Bullets, as his five men, instead of Jawai.

Former Snakes Cameron Gliddon, Mitch McCarron and Nathan Sobey were all named in Lemanis’ squad.

Gliddon returns to the Boomers after being involved in all six of their games through the first round of qualifiers and currently sits third in the NBL for scoring with 19.4 points per game.

Meanwhile, Taipans skipper Alex Loughton was sporting a moon boot on Tuesday at training and is still a chance to tackle Perth on Saturday night.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — NOVEMBER 11: Nate Jawai of the Taipans shoots during the round five NBL match between Melbourne United and the Cairns Taipans at Hisense Arena on November 11, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

“Al turned his ankle against New Zealand and we are just waiting for the final reports,” Snakes coach Mike Kelly said.

“It is positive so far but we will see.”

SQUAD

David Barlow, Todd Blanchfield, Angus Brandt

Jason Cadee, Cameron Gliddon, Matthew Hodgson,

Daniel Johnson, Nick Kay,

Mitch McCarron, Craig Moller, Mitch Norton, Nathan Sobey.

November 30: Australia v Iran at Margaret Court Arena at 7.30pm

December 3: Australia v Qatar at Margaret Court Arena at 7.30pm

Originally published as Unlucky Boomers omission for Cairns Taipans centre Nate Jawai