Boomers coach Brian Goorjian says Australia’s newest NBA player Josh Green is the ‘future’
Imagine Australia’s newest NBA player teaming up with the 76ers superstar in green and gold. Moves are afoot to make it happen in time for next year’s Tokyo Olympics.
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Boomers coach Brian Goorjian says Australia’s newest NBA player Josh Green is the “future” of the national team, and the call has already been made in an attempt to secure him for next year’s Olympics.
Only days after Green was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks with the 18th pick last week, Goorjian reached out to the Sydney-born guard about donning the green and gold.
The 20-year-old was set to represent the Boomers in the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifiers after being named in a 24-man squad, but he suffered a right shoulder injury.
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“I can’t make that decision now and say that he is definitely in, but I can say that the radar is on him.
Goorjian rates Green highly, declaring it is only a matter of time before we see Australia’s latest NBA player representing his country at the highest level.
“He (Josh) is the future as Ben Simmons is the future,” Goorjian said.
“You want to have a good look at those guys. Josh is an exciting prospect for the future and you have to give a good look to someone like that and get him an opportunity to play at the Olympics and experience (that) so he is ready for the next Worlds instead of bringing in someone cold.
“I have total respect for what he has done at Arizona and for the level at which he has been drafted.
“The phone call has been made and discussions are in progress as we speak.
“Josh is definitely somebody on our radar and someone that we regard highly.”
It comes as Green declared he hoped to play for the Boomers at next year’s Olympics.
“I would love to play for the Boomers,” Green told ESPN’s Olgun Uluc.
“I‘ve always wanted to be able to represent Australia and always continue to want to represent Australia.
“Every single time I’m on the court, I make sure that I try my best to be a good role model for little kids growing up in Australia and whatnot, so for me to be able to put on the green and gold, I’d love to do it.
“I think it just depends on how the season goes this year, you know, and how they structure the whole Olympics.”
Originally published as Boomers coach Brian Goorjian says Australia’s newest NBA player Josh Green is the ‘future’
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