Basketball Australia has today released the 17-man squad that will compete in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, with a strong mix of veteran leadership and rising talent which has become so representative of the Australian basketball landscape.
The most experienced player on this roster is Nick Kay, the forward who last year was part of the Australian Olympic team that won the first-ever medal at a major men's tournament, taking home the bronze - or ‘rose gold’ - from Tokyo.
The @BasketballAus Boomers have named a 17 man squad ahead of the @FIBAWC qualifiers in Japan later this month.
— The NBL (@NBL) February 2, 2022
7⃣ NBL players have been named as well as a number of Aussies playing abroad with NBL experience. pic.twitter.com/c7MKUZZ0un
Now based out of Japan and playing for the Shimane Susanoo Magic, Kay is a stalwart of the Boomers over the past five years and will look to lead the team towards qualifying for the 2023 World Cup.
Kay said that this selection will allow him to develop into more of a leadership role, especially considering the youthful nature of the squad.
“I take any opportunity I can to play for the Boomers and am looking forward to taking on more of a leadership role,” Kay said.
“Hopefully my experience in Japan will be helpful and I can’t wait to get to know the young fellas.”
Two other Japan-based players have been selected for the team: Angus Brandt and Rhys Vague of the Kagawa Five Arrows.
Continuing the international theme, Finland-based Makuach Maluach has been selected in the squad; so too was Germany-based Craig Moller.
Unsurprisingly, nine of the 17 selected players hail from the NBL: Perth’s Kyle Zunic, Tasmania’s Sean Macdonald, Sydney’s Jaylin Galloway, Adelaide’s Nicholas Marshall, Melbourne’s Wena Okwera and Zac Triplett, and Illawarra’s Alexander Mudronja, Akoldah Gak and Emmett Naar.
The majority of these selected players are either rookies or development players, showing BA's commitment to young talent.
The squad has also leaned into the country's young talent through the selection of Harry Wessels and Bol Dengdit, both from the Centre of Excellence.
However, arguably the most exciting young player on the squad is Tyrese Proctor, the 17-year-old out of the NBA Global Academy thought to be one of the country's most promising prospects.
Proctor already has numerous college offers, including Duke and Arizona, and spending time with this national team is all but certain to help in his development as a pro.
Blessed to receive an offer from Duke University ⚪️🔵 pic.twitter.com/X3IRWU8XH7
— Tyrese Proctor 🚶🏾♂️ (@TyreseProctor) January 26, 2022
It was announced earlier in the year that current Boomers coach Brian Goorjian would be unable to coach the team at this tournament, and Rob Beveridge was then appointed to the top job.
According to Beveridge, this focus on youth is one that was made in an effort to help the team, but also the development of the players selected.
“The talent that we are putting on the floor, although young, have all been part of Basketball Australia’s National Pathway and I have no doubt that we will represent our country with distinction,” Beveridge said.
“I am really excited about coaching these up-and-coming future stars and exposing them to what it means to be part of the Boomers program.”
The squad now has less than a month to prepare before they travel to Okinawa, Japan, where they will play three matches during the qualifying tournament.
The Boomers will play three games in four days, facing Chinese Taipei twice, and Japan once in the middle.
Should they qualify, preparation then begins for the 2023 World Cup, which begins August of next year and takes place over three separate countries: Indonesia, Japan, and the Philippines.