FIBA World Cup: Australian Boomers squad for Kazakhstan qualifier revealed
The Australian Boomers require just one more win to qualify for the 2023 World Cup — here’s the team they hope will deliver that win against Kazakhstan next month.
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The Australian Boomers will unleash a potent mix of NBL and rising talent in a World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan in November, headlined by the league’s most in-form player in Sydney Kings star Xavier Cooks.
There are no NBA players in the squad as the current season unfolds, including the NBL’s returning NBA star Aron Baynes.
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Baynes struck form on Monday night to help the Brisbane Bullets record their first win of the season, but he has opted against travelling to Kazakhstan.
The bronze-medal winning big man is a veteran on the international stage and doesn’t have to prove his worth to the Australian program.
Emergent Cairns big man Keanu Pinder, who excelled for Australia during the recent gold medal-winning Asia Cup campaign, also opted against playing in the away World Cup qualifier.
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A win against Kazakhstan on Saturday, November 12 will guarantee the Boomers qualify for the 2023 World Cup in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines from August 25 to September 10.
Baynes’ absence opens the door for Australia to have one eye on the future through the selections of players like 22-year-old Illawarra Hawks big man Sam Froling.
Australia has also chosen rising swingmen and Centre of Excellence graduates Alex Toohey and Rory Hawke following their debuts in a win over Iran in Bendigo in August.
Toohey is particularly one to watch. The rangy 6’8 forward has excelled since joining the NBA Global Academy in Canberra in late 2020.
He continued to impress in the Australian Junior Championships, along with leading the ACT to fourth in the U20 Australian Championship this year.
Graduating from Centre of Excellence (CoE), he has now caught the eyes of recruiters from NCAA Division I colleges like Duke, Florida, Gonzaga, Illinois, Michigan and more.
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NBL champion and grand final series MVP Cooks will make his first appearance in the green and gold since making the Tokyo 2020 Olympics squad.
Cooks has backed up a career-best season with a hot start to NBL23, averaging 16.57 points, 8.43 rebounds, 4 assists while shooting 55 per cent form the field.
The Ballarat-born forward is particularly looking forward to playing for Australia with Kings teammate Dejan Vasiljevic.
“It’s always a privilege to pull on the green and gold, especially after not being able to the last few windows,” Cooks told News Corp.
“We have a really talented roster and I always enjoy playing alongside guys that I go against each week in the NBL – not to mention being able to do it alongside Kings teammate DJ too.
“I can’t wait to get to work, make our country proud and help lock in our spot at next year’s World Cup.”
Ten of the players from the Bendigo window against Iran have been recalled, including Vasiljevic, Perth Wildcats trio Todd Blanchfield, Mitch Norton and Luke Travers.
2022 FIBA Asia Cup gold medallists, Mitch McCarron and Froling will reunite for their fourth campaign after notching up three undefeated performances in the green and gold.
Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist, Nick Kay will return for his second window following his success as captain in the Tokyo and Bendigo windows. He will be joined by fellow Japanese B League player Angus Brandt.
The NBL will pause for the FIBA window continuing their support of the Boomers to ensure the best players and coaches available.
FIBA Asia Cup gold medal winning head coach Mike Kelly will be joined by assistant coaches Jacob Chance (Tasmanian JackJumpers) and Jamie Pearlman (Adelaide 36ers).
Kelly is looking to maintain the Boomers unbeaten record in this window against Kazakhstan.
“It’s great to have continuity within the team and a great mix of experience and youth,” Kelly said.
“These players have been playing well in Australia and Japan recently and are ready to team up to play at the highest level for Australia.”
The Boomers are hoping to play their second qualifier against Kazakhstan on February 27 at MyState Bank Arena in Tasmania.
Basketball Australia are keen to capitalise on the popularity of basketball in the Apple Isle following the success of the Tasmania JackJumpers.
The JackJumpers shocked the NBL to make the grand final series in the franchise’s first season while they’ve started their second season in strong fashion with four wins to date.
As a result, the JackJumpers are regularly attracting sold-out crowds and Basketball Australia is keen to reward Tasmania with a Boomers game.
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Originally published as FIBA World Cup: Australian Boomers squad for Kazakhstan qualifier revealed
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