One of the most stacked squads the Australian Boomers have assembled will travel to Melbourne in August as they prepare to don the green and gold at Rod Laver Arena against three fellow World Cup-bound nations.
Across three electrifying nights the Boomers vs World event will allow sports fans to witness their men’s national team showcase their talents against Brazil and Venezuela – both ranked within the world’s top 20 – as well as rising stars on the international stage, South Sudan.
Taking place on Monday 14, Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 August, each night will host a double header featuring Australia, with the first games of the evening tipping off at 5:30pm.
The announcement of the Boomers vs World event follows the unveiling of the Boomers’ 18-man extended squad, which for the first time, named ten NBA players – Patty Mills, Matisse Thybulle, Joe Ingles, Jock Landale, Josh Green, Xavier Cooks, Jack White, Dyson Daniels, Josh Giddey and Matthew Dellavedova, who this week signed with Melbourne United in the NBL.
Securing their first podium finish at an Olympics during the 2020 Tokyo Games, the Boomers extended line-up also features 10 members of this bronze-medal-winning team, combining a solid mix of experience and youth.
Basketball Australia CEO, Matt Scriven, said the Boomers were eager to play in Australia leading into the World Cup in front of a home crowd full of passionate fans.
“With the growth of basketball in Australia we are committed to delivering more events that showcase our national teams, as well as international players, so the next generation can watch their heroes and the best basketballers in the world,” Scriven said.
“Thanks to the support of the Victorian Government we have invited Venezuela, Brazil and South Sudan to Melbourne to battle it out against the Boomers, all of whom can’t wait to play in Australia.
“We look forward to sports fans and the basketball family packing out Rod Laver Arena in their green and gold.”
Boomers squad member, Dyson Daniels, said the team wanted to play in Australia leading into the World Cup.
“I know all the boys were keen to get together and play in front of a home crowd as part of our preparation so we’re really looking forward to this event,” Daniels said.
“Being from Victoria I’m especially excited to get out on court with my teammates and stay in Melbourne with my family before the World Cup.”
Before arriving in Melbourne for the event the squad will undertake a training camp in Cairns. From there, a 15-man squad will be named with those players set to hit the court in the pre-World Cup event.
BOOMERS vs WORLD EVENT DETAILS:
Monday 14 August
Brazil v South Sudan – 5:30 PM
Australia v Venezuela – 7:45 PM
Wednesday 16 August
Venezuela v South Sudan – 5:30 PM
Australia v Brazil – 7:45 PM
Thursday 17 August
Venezuela v Brazil – 5:30 PM
Australia v South Sudan – 7:45 PM
Venue: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
Tickets: Tickets go on sale for general public via Ticketek from 10am on Monday 22 May. Prices start from $99 for adults and $69 for children for a single day or $273 adult and $190 children for a three-day pass to see all the action!
GET TO KNOW THE TEAMS
South Sudan
South Sudan is a basketball nation on the rise, with the Bright Stars qualifying for their first World Cup last year in impressive style. Playing 12 games and only losing one they topped their qualification group. Nuni Omot not only led South Sudan in scoring, but he was also one of four players to appear in all 12 games of the qualification campaign.
Brazil
Brazil has a deep roster containing a mix of youth and experience with both inside and outside threats. Bruno Caboclo dominated in the middle during the Americas Qualifiers while Yago dos Santos helped a strong backcourt that included Marcelinho Huertas, Vitor Benite, Georginho De Paula and Gui Deodato.
Venezuela
Tipped to have one of the most experienced squads in terms of age at the World Cup, Venezuela could have as many as nine players that are 30 years or older including Michael Carrera, Jhornan Zamora and Nestor Colmenares. Potentially getting games into some of their youth, coach Fernando Duro might bring a youngster Enrique Medina into the side who stands 2.18m (7ft 2in).
Ticketing Information
Basketball Australia pre-sale: 10:00am AEST Friday 19 May
General Public on-sale: 10:00am AEST Monday 22 May
Tickets available from 10am Monday 22 May via www.ticketek.com.au
In the spirit of reconciliation Basketball Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.