The Boomers squad has been announced by Basketball Australia that will compete in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers in Okinawa, Japan from February 25-28.

The 17-man squad will play Japan and Chinese Taipei with the hope of qualifying for next years FIBA World Cup to be held in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines.

The squad has a good mix of experience in the NBL and overseas, which is complemented by youthful talent coming through the Basketball Australia pathway with players from the Centre of Excellence and NBA Global Academy making the squad.

Highlighting the squad is Nick Kay, who was a part of the Boomers historic bronze medal Olympic campaign last year in Tokyo.

Kay is currently playing for Shimane Susanoo Magic in Japan and will bring great leadership to a youthful 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."

On the other end of the spectrum, the youngest player selected was 17-year old Tyrese Proctor, who is apart of the NBA Global Academy and has just received an offer to play College Basketball at Duke University.

As expected, the NBL is represented heavily in the Boomers squad with nine of the 17 hailing from Australia's top league including Perth Wildcats' Kyle Zunic, Illawarra Hawks' Emmett Naar, Akoldah Gak and Alexander Mudronja, Melbourne United's Zac Triplett and Tasmania Jackjumpers' Sean Macdonald.

The squad is be coached by former Perth Wildcats and Illawarra Hawks coach Rob Beveridge who is excited about the youthful squad and what they can achieve at the qualifiers.

"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 Boomers will play three matches over four days including Chinese Taipei twice.

Event Dates
25 February- AUSTRALIA v CHINESE TAIPEI
27 February – AUSTRALIA v JAPAN
28 February- CHINESE TAIPEI v AUSTRALIA

Squad

  • Kyle Zunic - Perth Wildcats
  • Sean Macdonald - Tasmania Jackjumpers
  • Alexander Mudronja - Illawarra Hawks
  • Tyrese Proctor - NBA Global Academy
  • Jaylin Galloway - Sydney Kings
  • Akoldah Gak - Illawarra Hawks
  • David Okwera - Melbourne United
  • Nicholas Kay - Shimane Susanoo Magic [JAP]
  • Angus Brandt - Kagawa Five Arrows [JAP]
  • Rhys Vague - Kagawa Five Arrows [JAP]
  • Emmett Naar - Illawarra Hawks
  • Makuach Malauch - Korikouvut [FIN]
  • Craig Moller - Wuerzberg [GER]
  • Harry Wessels - Centre of Excellence
  • Bol Dengdit - Centre of Excellence
  • Zac Triplett - Melbourne United
  • Nicholas Marshall - Adelaide 36ers