Rio Olympics 2016: Australian Boomers name extended squad for Rio Olympics

ANDREW Bogut, Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova headline an extended Australian Boomers squad for this year’s Rio Olympics, while Ben Simmons has also been chosen.

LEXINGTON, KY - MARCH 05: Ben Simmons #25 of the LSU Tigers dribbles the ball in the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on March 5, 2016 in Lexington, Kentucky. Andy Lyons/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

AUSTRALIA’S NBA stars headline a 26-man Boomers squad for this year’s Rio Olympics.

Big names Andrew Bogut, Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova are among an extended squad to be picked, while US college star and likely NBA top draft pick Ben Simmons has also been chosen.

The squad will be cut to 16 ahead of a selection camp in early July, with coaches to then make their final decision ahead of Rio.

“It is a benefit to have a group that has spent time together both on and off the court,” said Australian Boomers head coach Andrej Lemanis.

“That group went through a campaign together and a majority of that group also went to the World Championships which will certainly help in our preparation.

“What we’ve done is ensured we have depth in all positions which will help us if injuries ever occur.

“We have a fantastic core group of players that has been with us for a significant amount of time now and we have some exciting young talent that we have added to the squad.”

Australian Boomers’ extended squad for Rio:

Andrew Bogut, Patty Mills, Matthew Dellavedova, Aron Baynes, Joe Ingles, Cameron Bairstow, Dante Exum, Ben Simmons, David Andersen, Ryan Broekhoff, Chris Goulding, Adam Gibson, Damian Martin, Brad Newley, Nathan Jawai, Brock Motum, Aleks Maric, Kevin Lisch*, Cameron Gliddon, Daniel Kickert, Todd Blanchfield and Mitch Creek, Mitch Norton, Clint Steindl, Angus Brandt and Lucas Walker.

*Lisch subject to citizenship approval.

Originally published as Rio Olympics 2016: Australian Boomers name extended squad for Rio Olympics