Boomers Ultimate Guide: Warm-up game recaps, full World Cup schedule and team news
The FIBA World Cup is sort of right here, with Australia’s Boomers set to start their marketing campaign on Friday in opposition to Finland of their opening group stage conflict.
Josh Green telling SEN Radio earlier within the yr that the Boomers are able to take the following step in the direction of turning into a basketball “powerhouse”.
The Boomers enter the match with a 4-1 document in warm-up exhibition matches, however have battled a raft of accidents that rocked coach Brian Goorjian’s squad.
The robust warm-up schedule was set to supply Goorjian the chance to choose who can be the ultimate participant to overlook out on a spot within the 12-man squad, earlier than that call was taken out of his fingers.
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Boomers crushed by Brazil in heat up sport | 01:26
Starting huge man Jock Landale suffered an ankle damage within the third warm-up sport, in opposition to South Sudan, that dominated the brand new Houston Rockets recruit out of all the World Cup.
Landale had already been sidelined for the primary two warm-up video games with a proper ankle problem earlier than touchdown awkwardly on his left foot whereas defending the rim.
Coach Goorjian revealed to reporters after the win over South Sudan that Jack White was set to overlook out on choice earlier than Landale’s damage.
Now although, having already experimented with small line-ups final week, Goorjian should embrace that enjoying type out of necessity.
Fortunately this Boomers squad has the sort of positional versatility wanted to make it work.
For Goorjian, Landale’s damage was justification for delaying a name on the ultimate reduce to the squad, telling media White will likely be a “very helpful piece” on the World Cup.
“That is a big hit but I’m taking the high road on this,” Goorjian stated.
“I got criticised quite strongly about having 13 guys and not making that selection … Jack White has been right on the cusp of this thing and is huge for us and is a quality piece there and I’m not comfortable with some of these guys that have not played at all.
“Thank goodness he’s here. He’s played in all of this and we went down the road we went and he’s a very helpful piece. He’s multipurpose and if we’re going to play that small-ball switch, he’s another really important piece.”
Keep scrolling for a recap of all Boomers warm-up video games and a full World Cup schedule!
Australia received two of its three warm-up video games in Melbourne, happening 90-86 in opposition to an even bigger Brazilian staff in a glimpse of a few of the challenges to return within the World Cup.
Josh Green although didn’t participate in that sport although, finally getting a begin on Thursday in opposition to South Sudan after nursing an elbow damage earlier within the week.
Goorjian acquired precisely what he was after from the Dallas Mavericks wing, bringing his trademark hustle and power to each ends of the ground — one thing that was lacking in opposition to Brazil.
Goorjian described Green as like “Delly on steroids”, referring in fact to veteran guard Matthew Dellavedova, who was one of many first names reduce from the preliminary World Cup squad.
“Josh Green and then Matisse, Jack White — there’s an avenue there to go down and we’re going to have to be really good at certain things to get to where we want to go without Jock,” added Goorjian.
“But it’s doable and I saw flashes of it tonight.”
He did nonetheless undergo one other damage in opposition to France in Tokyo – this time to his ankle – and was compelled to overlook the ultimate warm-up win over Georgia, however is believed to be able to play when the World Cup begins.
While Landale’s omission is an enormous blow, it presents a possibility for Duop Reath to construct on a powerful run in Australia’s warm-up video games.
Reath has shaped a deadly mixture enjoying off Josh Giddey and will likely be leaned on closely to supply some much-needed dimension and offensive versatility within the frontcourt.
Xavier Cooks and Nick Kay may also supply choices for Goorjian on the 5, though how he rotates minutes stays to be seen.
While Chris Goulding (knee) additionally sat out Thursday’s sport in opposition to South Sudan, the Melbourne United star returned in opposition to Georgia and is able to go when the match begins.
Read on for a full final information of the whole lot you’ll want to know forward of the 2023 FIBA World Cup!
EVERY WARM-UP GAME RECAP
The Boomers have had 5 warm-up video games earlier than then to finetune issues.
Australia received its first warm-up sport 97-41 in opposition to Venezuela at Rod Laver Arena final Monday night time.
Last Wednesday’s exhibition sport in opposition to Brazil, which the Boomers misplaced in an upset, was pushed ahead to a 5.30pm tip-off so Australian basketball followers have been in a position to tune into the sport earlier than switching over to look at the Matildas, who went down 3-1 within the FIFA World Cup semi-final in opposition to England.
The last warm-up sport in Melbourne tipped off at 7.45pm (AEST) on Thursday night time, with the Boomers toppling South Sudan 86-67 however copping an enormous damage setback within the course of.
Then the Boomers overcame medal fancies France on Sunday 78-74, earlier than finalising their preparations with a 86-81 win over Georgia in Okinawa, Japan. The sport was held behind closed doorways and never televised, however there was good news for the Boomers with Chris Goulding getting back from a knee damage suffered in opposition to Venezuela to empty 13 factors. Australia led by 19 on the half earlier than implementing a heavy rotation technique to get each participant into type earlier than the match started.
Dallas Maverick Josh Green sat out after an ankle damage in Sunday’s win over France, however is believed to be match to play in opposition to Finland.
FULL SCHEDULE (Times AEST)
Australia def. Venezuela 97-41 — Game recap
Australia def. by Brazil 86-90 — Game recap
Australia def. South Sudan 88-67 — Game recap
Australia def. France 78-74 — Game recap
Australia def. Georgia 86-81
HOW TO WATCH EVERY BOOMERS FIBA WORLD CUP GAME
As for the World Cup motion itself, the Boomers are a part of Group E and can play Finland of their first official sport to kick off the match.
That sport is scheduled for 6pm AEST on Friday, August 25. Australia can be scheduled to face Germany (6.30pm, August 27) and Japan (9.10pm, August 29) to spherical out the group stage.
You can watch EVERY Boomers sport stay with ESPN on Kayo.
FULL SCHEDULE (AEST)
Australia vs Finland (Friday, August 25 @ 6pm)
Australia vs Germany (Sunday, August 27 @ 6.30pm)
Australia vs Japan (Tuesday, August 29 @ 9.10pm)
BOOMERS’ OFFICIAL 12-MAN SQUAD
Xavier Cooks, Dyson Daniels, Dante Exum, Josh Giddey, Chris Goulding, Josh Green, Joe Ingles, Nick Kay, Patty Mills, Duop Reath, Matisse Thybulle, Jack White
PLAYERS CUT
Jock Landale (injured), Matthew Dellavedova, Will McDowell-White, Thon Maker, Keanu Pinder, Sam Froling
FIBA WORLD CUP GROUPS
Group A: Angola, Dominican Republic, Philippines, Italy
Group B: South Sudan, Serbia, China, Puerto Rico
Group C: USA, Jordan, Greece, New Zealand
Group D: Egypt, Mexico, Montenegro, Lithuania
Group E: Germany, Finland, Australia, Japan
Group F: Slovenia, Cape Verde, Georgia, Venezuela
Group G: Iran, Spain, Cote d’Ivoire, Brazil
Group H: Canada, Latvia, Lebanon, France
FIBA WORLD CUP WINNER ODDS (by way of TAB.com.au)
USA — $2.10
Canada — $6.00
Australia — $9.00
Slovenia — $11.00
France — $12.00
NBA PLAYERS IN FIBA WORLD CUP (by way of NBA.com)
Ben Simmons will not be suiting up for the Boomers however that is already a stacked roster at Brian Goorjian’s disposal, with 9 NBA gamers in Australia’s 12-man squad.
Australia just isn’t the one nation that will likely be bolstered by NBA expertise at this yr’s FIBA World Cup, with the United States clearly essentially the most well-represented of the bunch.
Austin Reaves and Mikal Bridges, two of the NBA’s most fun breakout gamers final season, are a part of a 12-man squad that options stars from groups all throughout the league.
Meanwhile, NBA championship-winning guard Jamal Murray and Giddey’s Oklahoma City teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lead a Canada staff that can pose a severe problem.
Luka Doncic, in the meantime, offered loads of starpower for Slovenia though Greece is with out considered one of its greatest draw playing cards after Giannis Antetokounmpo pulled out.
Antetokounmpo underwent knee surgical procedure initially of July and has not participated in Greece’s preparations for the match.
“Since the conclusion of my NBA season I have been pushing my body to the limits to be the player I need to be to help our team achieve the goals we set,” Antetokounmpo wrote on social media final week.
“After months of work and multiple meetings with medical staff it is clear that I am not ready to compete in the level that I need to be to participate in the World Cup.
“This was not a choice but my only option in ensuring I get back to the level of basketball I have worked so hard to achieve so far in my career.
“I am extremely disappointed in this outcome.”
GROUP A
Angola: Roster not introduced.
Dominican Republic: Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves), Lester Quinones (Golden State Warriors)
Italy: Simone Fontecchio (Utah Jazz)
Philippines: Jordan Clarkson (Utah Jazz)
GROUP B
China: Kyle Anderson (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Serbia: Bogdan Bogdanovic (Atlanta Hawks), Aleksej Pokusevski (Oklahoma City Thunder), Nikola Jovic (Miami Heat), Filip Petrusev (Philadelphia 76ers)
South Sudan: Roster not introduced.
Puerto Rico: No NBA gamers on roster.
GROUP C
Greece: Thanasis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
Jordan: Roster not introduced.
New Zealand: No NBA gamers on roster.
United States: Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic), Mikal Bridges (Brooklyn Nets), Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers), Josh Hart (New York Knicks), Brandon Ingram (New Orleans Pelicans), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies), Cameron Johnson (Brooklyn Nets), Walker Kessler (Utah Jazz), Bobby Portis (Milwaukee Bucks), Austin Reaves (Los Angeles Lakers)
GROUP D
Egypt: No NBA gamers on roster.
Lithuania: Jonas Valanciunas (New Orleans Pelicans), Azuolas Tubelis (Philadelphia 76ers)
Mexico: No NBA gamers on roster.
Montenegro: Nikola Vucevic (Chicago Bulls)
GROUP E
Australia: Xavier Cooks (Washington Wizards), Dyson Daniels (New Orleans Pelicans), Dante Exum (Dallas Mavericks), Josh Giddey (Oklahoma City Thunder), Josh Green (Dallas Mavericks), Joe Ingles (Orlando Magic), Patty Mills (Atlanta Hawks), Matisse Thybulle (Portland Trail Blazers), Jack White (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Finland: Lauri Markkanen (Utah Jazz)
Germany: Dennis Schroder (Toronto Raptors), Daniel Theis (Indiana Pacers), Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic), Moritz Wagner (Orlando Magic)
Japan: Yuta Watanabe (Phoenix Suns)
GROUP F
Cape Verde: No NBA gamers on roster.
Georgia: Goga Bitadze (Orlando Magic), Sandro Mamukelashvili (San Antonio Spurs)
Slovenia: Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks)
Venezuela: No NBA gamers on roster.
GROUP G
Brazil: Raul Neto (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Cote d’Ivoire: No NBA gamers on roster.
Iran: No NBA gamers on roster.
Spain: Santi Aldama (Memphis Grizzlies), Usman Garuba (Atlanta Hawks)
GROUP H
Canada: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder), RJ Barrett (New York Knicks), Dillon Brooks (Houston Rockets), Lu Dort (Oklahoma City Thunder), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Minnesota Timberwolves), Kelly Olynyk (Utah Jazz), Dwight Powell (Dallas Mavericks)
France: Frank Ntilikina (Free agent), Nicolas Batum (LA Clippers), Evan Fournier (New York Knicks), Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Latvia: Kristaps Porzingis (Boston Celtics), Davis Bertans (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Lebanon: No NBA gamers on roster.
