BOOMERS ADD NBA PEDIGREE AHEAD OF FIBA WC QUALIFIERS THIRD WINDOW
Australia have already earned a spot in the second round of qualifiers after winning their first four games but with points carrying over into the second round, there is still plenty of value for the Boomers in maintaining their winning streak when they visit Japan on June 29 and the Philippines on July 2.
The Milwaukee Bucks duo of Dellavedova and Maker will join Mitch McCarron who returns from a stint in Slovenia while five NBL clubs are represented by the remaining nine players, eight of which competed in the last FIBA qualifiers window.
Three players from the Perth Wildcats, two from the Brisbane Bullets and Sydney Kings as well as one player each from Melbourne United and Adelaide 36ers make up the team for the third window.
“We have said all along that this FIBA format means the Boomers group is now bigger than ever and needs to be fluid,” said Boomers head coach Andrej Lemanis.
“Maintaining the connection throughout the entire group is challenging, so the inclusion of Delly and Thon is a wonderful way for us to continue to grow as an entire team.
“For the guys who have carried the load through the first two windows, it will be a great experience for them to play with both Delly and Thon.
“The skill set and experience they will add to the team is exciting for all of us and it will be interesting to watch how this team comes together in a short space of time.
“Delly has been a part of the Boomers program for a long time now and understands the culture and it will be a good opportunity for Thon to add his influence.”
For Maker, these games will be his debut in the green and gold and officially confirm him as an Australian representative in international competition.
“This is an exciting time for us as a team and for Thon as well. I’m really pleased for him that all the work he has put in to this point will now be rewarded with an opportunity to play for Australia.
“We have been following his progress and keeping in contact for a number of years now and he has always said he wants to play for Australia – it’s great for him that goal is now being realised.
“It is also really exciting for the Sudanese community who now call Australia home. Thon is a wonderful representative and role model who will inspire others to strive for success in their chosen field.”
Despite the Boomers being unbeaten through four games, Lemanis is preparing for two difficult games on the road.
“We know it is going to be difficult playing Japan and the Philippines at their respective venues.
“We saw how loud it was when we played in Melbourne with the Filipino fans dominating the environment and with a stadium capacity of 50,000, that game is something all the guys are looking forward to.”
“International basketball is always great basketball played to a very high level. We will need to play well to give ourselves an opportunity for success. In the end, we need to stay focused on playing Boomer basketball.”
The Boomers will head into camp in Melbourne on June 21 before departing for Japan on June 25. Following their game on June 29 they will then travel to the Philippines on June 30 for their last game of the first round on July 2.
The Australian Boomers Team for the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers Third Window:
| NAME | CLUB |
| Angus Brandt | Perth Wildcats |
| Jason Cadee | Brisbane Bullets |
| Matthew Dellavedova | Milwaukee Bucks (USA) |
| Cameron Gliddon | Brisbane Bullets |
| Chris Goulding | Melbourne United |
| Nick Kay | Perth Wildcats |
| Daniel Kickert | Sydney Kings |
| Kevin Lisch | Sydney Kings |
| Mitch McCarron | Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia) |
| Thon Maker | Milwaukee Bucks (USA) |
| Nathan Sobey | Adelaide 36ers |
| Jesse Wagstaff | Perth Wildcats |
The Australian Boomers Schedule for the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers First Round:
November 24: Chinese Taipei 66 def. by Australian Boomers 104
November 27: Australian Boomers 82 def. Japan 58
February 22: Australian Boomers 84 def. Philippines 68
February 25: Australian Boomers 88 def. Chinese Taipei 68
June 29: Japan vs. Australian Boomers at 8.40pm AEST
July 2: Philippines vs. Australian Boomers at 9.30pm AEST
Basketball Australia
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