Australian Boomers struggle to field a team for World Cup qualifiers despite Olympic bronze medal

FIBA scheduling has robbed Aussie fans of a chance to celebrate their bronze-medal Australian Boomers heroes from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with almost the entire squad unavailable to play.

Basketball Australia is desperately trying to sell tickets to the final two World Cup qualifying matches against Bahrain and Kazakhstan at the State Basketball Centre in Wantirna South in Melbourne on February 23 and 26.

The problem is the Boomers have already qualified for the showpiece event and the NBA and NBL competitions are still in full swing.

That means only three players from the entire squad that won the historic bronze medal against Slovenia will be available for the dead rubber matches.  

Mills dribbles the ball past USA’s Draymond Jamal. The point guard was a crucial part of the Boomers success in Tokyo

Giddey is going to be a future star for the Boomers and is likely to play a big role at the actual World Cup, but is unavailable for the qualifiers

Mills and Dellavedova have been mainstays of the Australian Boomers but both have NBA commitments stopping them from playing in the qualifiers

The timing of the matches means US-based stars Patty Mills, Ben Simmons, Josh Green, Joe Ingles, Matthew Dellavedova, Jock Landale and Matisse Thybulle are ruled out.

Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels would also be walk-up selections if the NBA was not still in action. 

Former NBA star Aron Baynes was badly injured during the Tokyo campaign and returned to the court this season with NBL side Brisbane Bullets, but his availability for these Boomers matches is unknown.  

Baynes has been a huge presence of the Boomers for many years but his injury status may rule him out of the World Cup qualifiers

Australia poses for photos on the podium with their bronze medals after beating Slovenia during the men’s bronze medal basketball game at the 2020 Summer Olympics

The NBL is also deep into the semi-finals, with the Sydney Kings, Cairns Taipans, New Zealand Breakers and Tasmania JackJumpers currently playing with a five-game grand final series to follow – directly clashing with the Boomers games.

That has ruled out the likes of former Boomers Xavier Cooks, Will McDowell-White and Will Magnay. Fringe candidates including Angus Glover, Cam Gliddon, Clint Steindl, Jarrad Weeks and Keanu Pinder are also ruled out.

Illawarra Hawks forward Sam Froling has signed in Japan and also won’t be available. 

Of the clubs eliminated, Nathan Sobey of the Bullets has been named by Basketball Australia to return to the Boomers while Chris Goulding from Melbourne United has also put his hand up for selection.

South East Melbourne Phoenix star Mitch Creek and Ryan Broekhoff could return to the green and gold as well.

Josh Green (left) will not be available for the Boomers but star Brisbane Bullets guard (centre) will be available for the dead rubber clashes

Nick Kay will return from Japan in a boost for the Boomers while Melbourne United shooter Chris Goulding is also likely to suit up 

Mitch McCarron had an indifferent season for the Adelaide 36ers but stands to earn selection, while the likes of former Boomers including Jason Cadee [Brisbane], Daniel Johnson [Adelaide], Isaac Humphries [Melbourne], Wani Swaka Lo Buluk [Illawarra], Jack McVeigh [Tasmania] and even veterans Brad Newley and David Barlow [both Melbourne] could be considered. 

Under NBL guidelines, clubs cannot stop players from representing the Boomers even if they are still playing in the Aussie competition. 

Sydney Kings sharpshooter Dejan Vasiljevic was the most notable player still in the NBL playoffs that put his hand up for selection, but he has now withdrawn from the games as well.

‘I spoke to [Sydney coach] Chase [Buford] and [CEO] CP [Chris Pongrass] about it, and they said I could play, but they’d rather me stay to focus on the NBL finals,’ he said this week.

‘Plus, we [Australia] have already qualified.

‘I also spoke to BA and the coaching staff and explained the situation.

‘I told them it’s really important because we are trying to go back-to-back.’

Melbourne United head coach Dean Vickerman will step in as interim Boomers coach in the absence of Brian Goorjian

Vasiljevic had initially said he would sacrifice playing in a grand final series match to represent the Boomers, but has since changed his mind and has committed to the Sydney Kings

Vasiljevic remains hopeful he can make the final World Cup squad later this year.

Boomers Head Coach Brian Goorjian will also be missing because of his commitments with the Bay Area Dragons in the new East Asia Super League.

In his place, Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman will lead the Boomers along with Perth Wildcats assistant Mike Kelly, Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence head coach Robbie McKinlay and Jamie Pearlman of the Adelaide 36ers

‘I’m really honoured to be at the helm of the Boomers for this window. Unfortunately, due to club commitments I haven’t been available to coach the national team, so this is the first time I’m suiting up and I’m excited,’ Vickerman said.

While the Boomers will be skinny on first-class talent, it does open the door for the next wave of talent to showcase their skills. 

Rocco Zikarsky is set to be handed his Boomers debut at just 16 years old. 

The imposing 218cm centre is not just tall, he brings a towering physical presence to the paint, has an incredible wing span and a basketball IQ and co-ordination that has selectors already daring to dream of a huge future.

NBA Global Academy product Alex Toohey is also likely to return after making his debut at just 17, He will play for US college powerhouse Gonzaga University next NCAA season. 

The Basketball Australia Under-20s Nationals are also being held in Geelong from February 14-19 which could propel a host of young stars to the Boomers squad for the dead rubber qualifiers.