Revealed: The three-tier coaching structure tipped to return the Boomers to the podium
It’s the three-tier coaching structure that Basketball Australia believes will return the Boomers to the world hoops podium. We reveal who won the race to coach the men’s national team, and how the format will work, inside.
Basketball
Don't miss out on the headlines from Basketball. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It’s the three-tier coaching structure that Basketball Australia believes will return the Boomers to the world hoops podium.
Code Sports can reveal Washington Wizards assistant Adam Caporn has won the race to coach the men’s national team.
Caporn – a long-term Boomers assistant – secured the top job ahead of a world-class field despite having never been a head coach.
It can also be revealed Atlanta Hawks NBA coach Quin Snyder is in talks to join the Boomers’ coaching ranks as a consultant in preparation and on the ground for major tournaments like the World Cup and Olympics.
Snyder was a lead candidate, but it’s understood he told BA officials he would struggle to fulfil the role with his NBA coaching commitments.
The veteran mentor – who coaches Boomers star Dyson Daniels at the Hawks – is understood to be still keen to be involved in the Australian program in a strategic role.
Melbourne United’s Dean Vickerman will be the associate head coach.
Vickerman will take the reins on the domestic stage for World Cup qualifiers and the Asia Cup.
Caporn hasn’t been a head coach but possesses an extensive assistant resume, including American stints at St Mary’s (college), the G League’s Long Island Nets and the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets.
The Western Australian-born mentor also worked at the Centre of Excellence in Canberra as a Scholarship Coach in charge of development.
He has been a Boomers assistant for the past two Olympics.
Caporn came out ahead of a strong international shortlist of coaches, including former German coach Gordon Herbert.
The Wizards NBA assistant said it was an “incredible honour” to coach the Boomers.
“To step into the role of head coach is truly a dream come true,” Caporn said.
“I am deeply grateful to Basketball Australia for their trust in me and to the entire Australian basketball community for the invaluable experiences and opportunities I’ve had, from grassroots development to the Olympic stage.
“I want to extend a special thank you to Andrej Lemanis and Brian Goorjian for bringing me into the Boomers coaching staff – your mentorship and contributions to this program have been truly inspiring.
“I’m excited to get to work, building a team that will represent Australia with pride and continue to strengthen the Boomers’ great legacy and culture.”
Boomers high performance boss Jason Smith said Caporn’s worldwide experience, knowledge of the national team and vision for the future separated him as BA’s pick.
“We were looking for the world’s best to support one of the best international basketball programs in the world and, through this process, Adam was a clear candidate who was able to articulate and provide confidence in how he could deliver what the expectations are for this group,” Smith told Code Sports.
“The way he stacked up against some of the world’s best was outstanding, so it’s a real honour to be able to support the pathway of coaches within Australia and our system, recognising the skills Adam’s been able to hone throughout his career.”
Smith said Caporn’s main remit would be to craft a team that can produce on the world stage in the lead up to the 2028 LA Olympics, while ensuring sustained success.
“(Caporn will be tasked with) Identifying the talent he sees will help us get to the next level and developing that on a number of fronts – the basketball side of things, the relationships, communication, athlete management, and trying to future-proof that,” Smith said.
He said Caporn would also develop and build on a system of play “which can support who we are as a basketball nation that differentiates us to be competitive on the world stage.”
Smith sees Snyder playing an integral role in mentoring Caporn and the coaching staff while assisting in the management of Australia’s rising talent.
“I see Quin being critical in Adam’s professional development and giving a voice of leadership and mentorship to the coaching staff,” Smith said.
“His experience in managing the best athletes in the world – many of them being Aussies he’s had in his cohort over his career – is incredibly valuable for this group.”
Smith said assistant coaches would be selected in consultation with Caporn and Vickerman.
The Boomers face a program-defining period leading into the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Tough decisions need to be made on veterans Patty Mills, Joe Ingles and Matthew Dellavedova.
Mills and Ingles led the Boomers to the historic bronze medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, but the team’s balance of power has shifted to the youth.
In-form NBA stars Josh Giddey and Daniels form a potent backcourt combination that’s viewed as Australia’s future
The Boomers will look to build around Giddey and Daniels, ideally surrounding them with shooting, presence in the paint and depth off the bench.
Australia has slipped to seventh on the men’s FIBA world rankings after finishing 10th at the 2023 World Cup and sixth at last year’s Paris Olympics.
The Boomers are determined to return to the podium in a major tournament climb up the world rankings.
Basketball Australia conducted an extensive selection process over the last six-months,
guided in consultation with a panel of industry specialists.
The panel, which included Boomer’s legend Andrew Bogut, Sydney Swans champion
Michael O’Loughlin and Paralympics Australia President, Alison Creagh AM CSC arrived
at the decision earlier this week.
Originally published as Revealed: The three-tier coaching structure tipped to return the Boomers to the podium
Join the conversation
Star guard issue raises questions
Losing on home court was bad enough for Melbourne United but now a star guard with a history of concussions is under a cloud for game three.
Read more
‘Honour’: Boomers’ new coach confirmed
A search for the new Boomers coach landed on the man who has sat on the bench alongside legendary mentor Brian Goorjian at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics.
Read more