Oklahoma City guard Josh Giddey has been selected for the Australian Boomers while Ben Simmons could still feature at the World Cup despite the three-time NBA All-Star not being named in the 18-man extended squad.
Simmons missed the late stages of the NBA season with Brooklyn with a back issue, however the likelihood of him featuring at the August-September showpiece surged after the coach Brian Goorjian’s public endorsement last week.
Goorjian has left the divisive talent out of the list announced on Monday, but can still include him in the final 12-man lineup for the 25 August opener in Japan if Simmons is declared fit.
Veteran centre Aron Baynes is another key omission from Goorjian’s 18-man list.
Former NBA champion Baynes has been a key piece alongside Patty Mills and Joe Ingles in the world No 3 side’s set up, but was badly injured during the Boomers’ Tokyo Olympics campaign and spent last season in the NBL with Brisbane.
There are still 10 NBA players in the squad which is a first, including Giddey and veteran guard Matthew Dellavedova.
Giddey was cut from the Tokyo team that won bronze but has put up historic numbers for the Thunder in two NBA seasons since, this season averaging 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists.
“I’ve always dreamed of playing for the Boomers and representing Australia, so to get this opportunity is really special and I’m looking forward to competing at the World Cup,” he said.
“There’s a lot of talent in this squad and I think we’ve got a good chance of matching it with every team – I’m excited for the challenge and to see what we can produce as a group on the world stage.”
Dyson Daniels impressed in his first NBA season with the New Orleans Pelicans to secure his spot. Ingles, Mills and Tokyo standouts Jock Landale and Matisse Thybulle have also been selected along with Dallas Mavericks swingman Josh Green and Europe-based Dante Exum.
Exum was last month caught up in a wild on-court brawl between Real Madrid and Partizan Belgrade players. Exum suffered an apparent ruptured tendon in his toe after getting body-slammed by Madrid’s Guerschon Yabusele.
NBL standouts Keanu Pinder, Sam Froling and William McDowell-White have been included and will provide competition for spots in the front court with Thon Maker, Nick Kay, Jack White and Duop Reath.
“The coaches and I have had many discussions about getting the mix right, but I’m really pleased with where we’ve landed with the guys we’ve selected, there’s a good balance across the court,” Goorjian said.
“The fact it’s been so tough goes to show the depth of talent we have in Australian basketball right now.”
Last week Goorjian put the ball in Simmons’ court, saying he thought he was a “strong chance” of playing with the Boomers.
“Our door is always open to him and during my time with the Boomers he has always been straightforward with me,” Goorjian told SEN radio.
“I think his mindset is getting healthy, getting in shape and getting ready to play in this [World Cup].”
The 2023 FIBA World Cup will run from from 25 August to 10 September and for the first time will be co-hosted by three nations – the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.
Australia will face Finland, Germany and Japan in Okinawa in the group stage, with the champion to be crowned in the Philippines on 10 September.
Boomers extended squad: Xavier Cooks, Dyson Daniels, Matthew Dellavedova, Dante Exum, Sam Froling, Josh Giddey, Chris Goulding, Josh Green, Joe Ingles, Nick Kay, Jock Landale, Thon Maker, Will McDowell-White, Patty Mills, Keanu Pinder, Duop Reath, Matisse Thybulle, Jack White.
