Young Boomers to debut in Japan

Basketball Australia (BA) today announced their squad of 17 players for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers to be held in Okinawa, Japan this month.

The future of Australian men’s basketball deems strong with a talent pool of players from the Centre of Excellence, NBA Global Academy and NBL making up the squad representing Australia against Japan and Chinese Taipei. With the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup looming large the depth of talent coming through Australian basketball pathways couldn’t come at a better time for Head Coach Rob Beveridge.

“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 they we will represent our country with distinction.”

“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.”

At only 30 years of age, Japanese based Olympic medalist Nick Kay will be one of the oldest and most experienced players on the team.

  Kay’s international success with the Boomers stems back to 2017 where he was part of the gold medal winning team at the FIBA Asia Cup.

Since then, he’s become an integral member of the team, he was part of the gold medal performance at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and in 2021 played an important role in the historic bronze medal win at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Currently playing in the Japanese B League, Kay knows he has a lot to offer to his young teammates.

“I take any opportunity I can to play for the Boomers and am looking forward to taking on more of a leadership role.

Hopefully my experience in Japan will be helpful and I can’t wait to get to know the young fellas,” Kay said. Boomers Olympic Head Coach Brian Goorjian is excited about the opportunity for the development players and knows they will do Australia proud.

“The rose gold in Tokyo was about basketball at all levels and these development players now have a tremendous opportunity to step up and represent in the green and gold."

"We are fortunate to have Rob Beveridge at the helm, he is the best person to lead this young group with his extensive experience. Rob will be supported by Robbie McKinlay and Mike Kelly and I personally want to thank the Perth Wildcats for working with us to get Mike over to Japan,” Goorjian said.

The NBA Global Academy’s Tyrese Proctor will be the squad’s youngest member, at only 17 years old and is excited to be given this opportunity at such a young age. “I’m really honoured to be selected and get the opportunity to go to Japan with the Boomers and represent my country, said Proctor.

The Boomers will play three matches at the qualifying tournament later this month.

Event Dates

25 February- AUS v CHINESE TAIPEI

27 February – AUS v JAPAN

28 February- CHINESE TAIPEI v AUS

Location- OKINAWA ARENA- OKINAWA JAPAN FIBA BASKETBALL WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS ASIAN QUALIFIERS SQUAD