This was published 2 years ago
‘Going to be a crazy week’: Boomers duo hope qualifiers can launch NBA bid
By Jon Pierik
While one Australian Boomer will use this week’s FIBA World Cup qualifying series to kickstart his NBA Summer League plans, another hopes it will strengthen his case for a return to the world’s premier basketball competition.
Debutant forward Jack White, 24, and 213-centimetre centre Thon Maker, 25, will have key roles when the Boomers take to John Cain Arena and play China and Japan over the next four days, beginning against China on Thursday.
Matthew Dellavedova (left) and Thon Maker (right) will have key roles to play for the Boomers in their FIBA World Cup qualifiers in Melbourne.Credit: Paul Jeffers
Maker, who on Wednesday described himself as “probably the most under-rated passer in the world”, will underpin the Boomers’ defence and can also score from inside and out, while Traralgon product White has all the athletic tools and continues to hone his outside stroke.
Maker will use the series to help push his case to join a fourth NBA club, having, at one point, spent time with Matthew Dellavedova in Milwaukee, while White, the Melbourne United swing man and Duke University product, is off to the NBA’s Summer League on Monday to play with the Denver Nuggets.
“It’s going to be a crazy week … I feel super fortunate with the opportunities that are coming my way. Playing for the Boomers has been a dream of mine since I was a young kid,” White, who last NBL season returned strongly from a torn Achilles tendon, said.
“It’s, obviously, a great moment for me in my career but a great preparation for going to the US afterwards.”
Melbourne United star Jack White is off to the NBA summer league after the Boomers’ home series against China and Japan.Credit: Getty Images
Maker, who missed out on Tokyo 2020 and has had a few years away from the national team, jumped at the chance to spend time under legendary coach Brian Goorjian.
“Definitely,” Maker said when asked if this Boomers’ campaign could help his NBA aspirations.
“A great example of that is Jock Landale [at the Tokyo Olympics]. He did that with the [San Antonio] Spurs. It’s an opportunity there on the table for me as well but that’s not my focus - my focus is for us to win, us as a unit to get better every single day.”
Maker particularly looks forward to sharing in the Boomers’ selfless ball movement.
“The ball movement is probably what I have missed the most. Being an overseas athlete and playing in America for a while, you kind of forget how beautiful it is to move the ball. I take pride in moving the ball,” he said.
Maker had a stint with the Long Island Nets to end the 2021-22 G League campaign, having in recent seasons had stops with the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers. His schedule from here will likely include NBA veteran camp workouts, but he could yet be lured home to the NBL.
Goorjian said White and Maker had important roles to play, with both keen to push for a place in next year’s World Cup squad.
“Thon is tremendous defensively. He is a great rebounder … and Jack White is just emerging. When I walked into camp I knew he was a very good player … but he is better than I thought. Around the culture we are trying to build, he is very, very special,” Goorjian said.
This Boomers’ squad features only Dellavedova of the team which claimed an historic bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics last year.Boomers captain Patty Mills, Matisse Thybulle, Josh Green and Landale, and Euroleague star Dante Exum have had long campaigns and need rest, while Joe Ingles, now with Portland, has had a knee reconstruction.
Outside that squad, rookie NBA sensation Josh Giddey is working on his game and NBA draftee Dyson Daniels is joining his new club New Orleans Pelicans , while Ben Simmons - who did not suit up in the 2021-22 NBA campaign because of mental health, contractual and injury issues - remains a mystery.
Australian Boomers squad: Matthew Dellavedova (Melbourne United), Mitch McCarron (Adelaide 36ers), Will McDowell-White (NZ Breakers), Sam McDaniel (Tasmania JackJumpers), Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (Illawarra Hawks), Todd Blachfield (Perth Wildcats), Clint Steindl (Tasmania JackJumpers), Jack White (Melbourne United), Jack McVeigh (Tasmania JackJumpers), Keanu Pinder (Cairns Taipans), Thon Maker (G League), Sam Froling (Illawarra Hawks).
FIBA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS SCHEDULE:
Thursday, June 30 Australia v China 6.30pm
Friday, July 1 China v Chinese Taipei 5pm
Friday, July 1 Japan v Australia 7.30pm
Sunday, July 3 Japan v Chinese Taipei 4pm
Sunday, July 3 China v Australia 6.30pm
Monday: Chinese Taipei v China, 6.30pm
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