‘Actual joke’: Star’s omission from Boomers squad infuriates fans

Australian basketball fans have been left seeing red after an NBA star was left out of the Boomers squad for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

The Boomers squad for the upcoming Paris Olympics has raised eyebrows among the basketball community.

The 12-man squad was named on Friday morning with fans quick to point out several shock omissions, none more notable than NBA star Matisse Thybulle.

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Thybulle, 27, who currently plays for the Portland Trail Blazers is a world class defender and was widely expected to be a lock in the Boomers squad.

In an exclusive column for news.com.au, Australian basketball great Shane Heal had Thybulle as a lock in his 12-man squad for the Games, noting he is a “world-class defender that can hit the three-point shot but has been inconsistent throughout his career.”

The decision to leave Thybulle out of the team went down like a lead balloon among Australian basketball fans.

Andrew Bogut said on the Gold Standard podcast: “Matisse is a real interesting one, he’s arguably the best defender on the squad ... one of the best in the NBA. I think the ups and downs of his shooting was a concern.”

Ch 7’s Jack Powell wrote: “The exclusion of Matisse Thybulle from the Boomers team is staggering. It’s incomprehensible that he misses out. Aussies deserve an explanation for this decision, and Chris Goulding is also incredibly unlucky.”

Ben Quagliata wrote: “If this is legit, no Matisse is an actual joke. I swear Goorj is geeing me up because what on earth?”

Another user added: “Honestly outrageous. Thybulle would’ve been the first player I picked. All Delly had left is defence and Matisse is twice the defender Delly is.”

Matisse won’t be going to Paris. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

He wasn’t the only big name left out however with Chris Goulding and Xavier Cooks also missing out on a ticket to the Games.

Cooks was a standout for the Aussies during the FIBA World Cup and just put pen to paper on the biggest contract in NBL history, while Goulding delivered stunning form in two games against China but it wasn’t enough.

While the omissions stole the limelight, the inclusion of NBA champion Matthew Dellavedova ruffled just as many feathers.

The 33-year-old was axed from the Boomers squad ahead of last year’s FIBA World Cup, but won back his spot in the squad for the Olympics.

Fellow veteran Joe Ingles, 36, also booked his place in the squad just days after signing a new deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Ingles and Patty Mills will feature in their fifth Olympics, tying Andrew Gaze for the most for a men’s basketball player.

Chris out, Delly in. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

The Boomers will play in Group A at the Paris Olympics, alongside Canada and two teams that are still in the midst of qualifying. Australia’s first game is scheduled for July 27.

The Boomers are set to fly to Abu Dhabi on July 10 for a pair of exhibition games.

They’ll take on Team USA on July 16 (AEST) before going up against Serbia on July 17.

Following those games they’ll fly to Paris to prepare for their Olympic campaign to officially get underway.

The final team will be ratified by the Australian Olympic Committee, with an official announcement scheduled for Sunday.

Australian Boomers squad: Josh Giddey, Dyson Daniels, Josh Green, Patty Mills, Danté Exum, Jock Landale, Duop Reath, Joe Ingles, Jack McVeigh, Will Magnay, Matthew Dellavedova, Nick Kay.

Originally published as ‘Actual joke’: Star’s omission from Boomers squad infuriates fans