Basketball Australia confirm review into Boomers’ World Cup failure while backing Brian Goorjian as coach

Basketball Australia has launched a full review of the Boomers’ World Cup debacle and delivered its verdict on under-fire coach Brian Goorjian’s future.

OKINAWA, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Brian Goorjian of Australia looks on during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2nd Round Group K game between Slovenia and Australia at Okinawa Arena on September 01, 2023 in Okinawa, Japan. (Photo by Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images)

Basketball Australia will conduct a sweeping review of the Boomers’ FIBA World Cup failure but has emphatically backed legendary coach Brian Goorjian as the man to lead the nation at next year’s Paris Olympics.

In the wake of the Boomers’ worst finish at a major tournament since 2014, Goorjian’s future was questioned in some basketball circles.

But BA boss Matt Scriven has expressed his unwavering support for the 70-year-old, who led Australia to its first major men’s medal when it won bronze at the Tokyo Olympics two years ago.

“Brian is one of the country’s most respected and qualified coaches, he is contracted until Paris and our support of him is unwavering,” Scriven said.

Basketball Australia say that support for Goorjian remains high despite the disappointing World Cup result. Picture: Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images

“He will be at the helm of the Boomers.

“The result at this World Cup is disappointing and we will take the learnings, rebuild and focus on a podium finish in Paris.

“We understand our fans are disappointed with 10th place, as are we.

“The players, coaching and support staff feel the loss deeply.

“It’s how we rebound from this that’s important.”

Scriven said part of that rebound will be a “full review … on every element of this campaign”.

“We won’t shy away from making the changes necessary across the program, where they’re needed,” Scriven said.

All aspects of the program will be reviewed leading up to the Paris Olympics. Picture: Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images

“We are all here for the long haul, you take the losses with the wins, you reassess and move on.

“The Paris Olympics are only 10 months away, so we have a lot of work to do in a short period of time and we have the commitment from the players, coaches and support staff to do that.”

Asked immediately after the Boomers’ last game of the tournament Sunday, Goorjian said he would “100 per cent” be at the helm in Paris.

“I knew when I re-signed to come back to this that I’d have to do some nasty stuff and that we’d be in a position of change,” he said.

Australia finished on a positive note with a 100-84 win over Georgia. Picture: Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images

“But I told the group afterwards that I’m not embarrassed.

“I’m going to go back to Melbourne with my head held high that this isn’t a continuation of Rose Gold.

“I do think we had a chance to medal (at the World Cup), so that is going to be a goal, but I also knew with change, inexperience and style of play – was a process that was going to take some time.

“There is no doubt we’ll have to make some tough decisions around selections but, when the time is right, we’ll commence discussions with players around their availability and willingness to represent the green and gold.”

Goorjian, who was last week out of a day job when his East Asia Super League team Bay Area was unexpectedly disbanded, said he would use his time in the lead up to next year’s Games to plot the Boomers’ path to a second consecutive Olympic medal.

Originally published as Basketball Australia confirm review into Boomers’ World Cup failure while backing Brian Goorjian as coach