The Australian Boomers have their sights set on bringing home another major international medal following their success at the Tokyo Olympics, with the 2023 FIBA World Cup on the horizon.
With 10 players from the Rose gold-winning Olympic squad named in the extended 18-man World Cup squad, the Boomers will be bringing plenty of experience, but there are plenty of fresh faces ready to make their mark on the international stage.
Headlined by New Orleans Pelicans rookie Dyson Daniels (20 years old), Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey (20), and Dallas Mavericks wing Josh Green (22), the Aussies are armed with a talented group of young players ready to fight for a spot on the plane and carry on the Boomers legacy.
MORE: Ben Simmons continues to progress towards Boomers spot
"This is my dream as a kid to play for the Boomers, so I'm one step closer now," Daniels said during a press conference in Melbourne announcing the 'Boomers vs. The World' pre-World Cup tournament.
"It's going to be a competitive training camp, there's a lot of great players in this camp and there's only 12 spots and I'm going to be competing and putting my best foot forward and show that I deserve to be in this team."
The squad will hold a training camp in Cairns before the round-robin tournament at Rod Laver Arena, where the initial 18-man roster will be trimmed down to 15. Following the tournament a final 12-man squad will be announced for the World Cup and Daniels is expecting a tough battle for a spot on the team, with the Aussies blessed with plenty of talent at the guard positions.
“You don’t expect anyone to take a backward step because everyone is competing for a spot,” Daniels said.
“These guys have been in the team for a while now, and they’ve been the ones who have carried this legacy, they're just coming off a rose gold medal at the Olympics.
"It's going to be tough to take their position but I'm going to be out there doing my best, pushing them, playing my game and showing that I deserve to be on this team."
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Head coach Brian Goorjian is excited by the level of talent coming through the Boomers program and expects the level of competition to bring out the best in the group during training camp.
“This may be the best players ever assembled by Australia, it’s a really exciting time for basketball,” he said.
"...I think we've got enough guys back and enough youth coming in to challenge."
One notable absence from the Australian squad is three-time All-Star Ben Simmons, who is continuing his rehab after back and knee injuries derailed his 2022-23 NBA season.
The 26-year-old is currently working out in the hopes he'll be healthy in time for the camp, with Goorjian maintaining he still has a chance to make the final 12-man roster.
"Nothing's changed, all the way through," Goorjian said of the door being ajar for Simmons to join the group.
"He didn't play to finish the season and he definitely wants to be back. This will be great for him, great for us and it's all about health and he's working right now to get healthy for the camp."
MORE: Giddey, Mills headline Boomers 18-man squad ahead of 2023 FIBA World Cup
Boomers pre-World Cup tournament schedule
The Boomers will square off against three World Cup-bound countries in South Sudan, Brazil, and Venezuela at Rod Laver Arena in August.
Tickets will be on sale via Ticketek from 10:00 a.m. AEST on Monday, May 22.
All times AEST.
| Date | Game | Location | Time |
| August 14 | Brazil vs. South Sudan | Rod Laver Arena | 5:30 p.m. |
| August 14 | Australia v Venezuela | Rod Laver Arena | 7:45 p.m. |
| August 16 | Venezuela v South Sudan | Rod Laver Arena | 5:30 p.m. |
| August 16 | Australia v Brazil | Rod Laver Arena | |
| August 17 | Venezuela v Brazil | Rod Laver Arena | 5:30 p.m. |
| August 17 | Australia v South Sudan | Rod Laver Arena | 7:45 p.m |
Who is in the Boomers World Cup group?
Australia will take on Finland, Germany, and co-hosts Japan in Okinawa in Group E.
The 2023 FIBA World Cup gets underway on August 25 and concludes on September 10, with games spread across Jakarta, Indonesia, Okinawa, Japan, and Manila, the Philippines.
2023 Australian Boomers Extended Squad
The Boomers have named a strong 18-man squad ahead of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, including 10 current NBA players, headlined by veterans Joe Ingles and Patty Mills, alongside youngsters including Josh Giddey, Dysnon Daniels, and Josh Green.
| Player | Team |
| Xavier Cooks | Washington Wizards |
| Dyson Daniels | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Matthew Dellavedova | Sacramento Kings |
| Josh Giddey | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Josh Green | Dallas Mavericks |
| Joe Ingles | Milwaukee Bucks |
| Jock Landale | Phoenix Suns |
| Patty Mills | Brooklyn Nets |
| Matisse Thybulle | Portland Trailblazers |
| Jack White | Denver Nuggets |
| Dante Exum | Partizan Belgrade |
| Nick Kay | Shimane Susanoo Magic |
| Duop Reath | Qingdao Eagles |
| Thon Maker | Fujian Sturgeons |
| Sam Froling | Illawarra Hawks |
| Keanu Pinder | Perth Wildcats |
| Chris Goulding | Melbourne United |
| Will McDowell-White | New Zealand Breakers |
