Boomers to host CU Buffaloes on Gold Coast

Basketball Australia are excited to announce that the Australian Boomers will battle the University of Colorado Buffaloes in a featured Gold Coast game on July 31. 

It will be a unique opportunity for fans in Australia to catch NBA, NBL & NCAA stars on the same court as a curtain raiser before the Boomers charge at the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup. 

Adam Caporn will be on the sidelines for his first ever campaign as Boomers Head Coach with an invaluable look at the group as they prepare to defend the Asia Cup title in Jeddah this August.  

“I couldn’t be more excited to return to Australia and get on the floor with the group. I see the Asia Cup as a critical first step in building our system and re-establishing the Boomers’ culture,” said Caporn.

“Representing Australia is an honour and a privilege, and our focus will always be on competing in a way that makes our country proud and gives us the best chance for success.”

“A high-level NCAA program like Colorado will undoubtedly present a valuable challenge and an important early benchmark for us as we prepare for the Asia Cup. The energy, athleticism, and discipline of an elite college team will push us to pressure-test our system under game conditions. It’s a great opportunity to begin sharpening our identity against quality opposition, added Caporn. 

“Having previously worked in college basketball, I’ve seen a lot of strong Colorado teams under Coach Boyle. His teams are consistently disciplined on the defensive end and always ready to compete. We’re grateful to CU for contributing to our preparation, and we look forward to having them on the Gold Coast in July.”

TICKETS AVAILABLE VIA INTIX. 

For the Buffaloes, the trip Down Under provides a unique development experience for a rebuilding group.  

The Buffs were overpowered in a highly competitive Big 12 Conference in the 2024-25 NCAA Season and Head Coach Tad Boyle outlined team chemistry & perspective as the focus for the Australian tour.  

"The one thing about Australian basketball is that there's a lot of pride. There are a lot of good players who have come to the United States to play college basketball, who are in the NBA from that country, and the Boomers are their team,” said Boyle. 
 
“And one thing I've learned, not only about international basketball competition but specifically about Australia, is that there's a lot of national pride. And so, when you put on that Boomers uniform as an Australian, it means something, and those guys play like it means something to them,” 
 
“So it'll be a heck of a challenge for us, heck of an opportunity for us to get better. You want to play against the best, so we're trying to do that. We are really fortunate and happy to have this opportunity." 

The Australian x USA college basketball exchange has exploded in the last decade, benchmarked in the 2024-25 Season with a total of 232 Aussies enrolled across NCAA men’s & women’s programs.   
 
Earlier this week it was announced that Nate Tomlinson, Former Buff & Melbourne United guard turned coach will join Boyle as an assistant for the upcoming season.  

There are two current Australians on the women’s basketball roster. Victorian forward Tabitha Betson joined as a freshman last year and will be joined by Centre of Excellence graduate Jade Crook for the upcoming season. Two other CoE graduates spent time at CU in recent years, Melbournian Sara-Rose Smith and current Sydney Flames guard Emma Clarke.  

Gold Coast is the destination location and continues its reputation as a sports & entertainment hotspot. The region will host events for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the announcement of Boomers v Buffaloes reinforces the Gold Coast as a home to world class events.  

“It doesn’t get any bigger than this – the Boomers on court against the Colorado Buffaloes,’’ said Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate. 

“This week-long program underscores our city’s commitment to bring the best events and the biggest sports experiences to the coast. 

  “Every basketball enthusiast will want to be courtside for the friendly match as well as the chance to be up close with the current crop of Boomers talent. It’s showtime on the Gold Coast.’’ 

Get behind the Boomers against the CU Buffaloes with tickets on-sale from 12:00pm AEST.  

This event is proudly supported by Experience Gold Coast alongside event delivery partner Basketball Australia.

For more information on tourism activities, accommodation & hospitality visit Experience Gold Coast.