The Australian Boomers' breakthrough "rose gold" bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics will be the subject of a new documentary set for release next year.
Featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from within the inner sanctum, the film will feature interviews and never-before-seen footage as the national men's team strove to claim its first Olympic medal in 65 years.
Former NBL player turned filmmaker Matthew Adekponya will direct the feature-length release, having travelled extensively with the squad over several years.
The former Cairns Taipans guard said watching the Boomers fail to medal at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China inspired him to share more about the squad's remarkable journey.
"It's about the pay-off," Adekponya said. "It would've been easy to say, 'I don't want to go through this again.'
"My favourite moment with this team was at the World Cup [after losing to France in the bronze medal game].
"There was something about that moment where I thought, 'This will be the last time the group will feel this way'.
"That's what's so beautiful about this team, they just roll up their sleeves and keep going."
Boomers guard Matthew Dellavedova said Adekponya was given almost unlimited access to the team while filming the project.
"The fact he's been with us for so long, we wouldn't let just anyone in," the former NBA champion said.
"And having played at a high level basketball-wise – not many people have that talent stack.
"We trust him and know he's going to do an awesome job."
Fellow Boomer Chris Goulding said viewers could expect a raw and authentic take on the team's journey to the podium in Tokyo.
"You're going to get the real story," he said. "Matty's gone in depth over several years to find out what's brought the group together and spurred us to get that medal."
'His filmmaking reflects his personality'
The film will be the latest credit for Adekponya, who has emerged as one of Australian sport's most exciting videographers since stepping away from the hardwood in recent years.
2021's Building Titans, a four-part series documenting the Gold Coast National Rugby League club's rocky journey, aired on Fox and Nine, and he has previously worked with current Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball during his time in Australia.
"His filmmaking reflects his personality," former coach and mentor Joel Khalu said.
"As a player, Matty was very detailed and always trying to find ways to improve his game and a lot of it was self-taught."
But it is the 31-year-old Adekponya's work with the Boomers that has won him the most admirers, including former teammate and fellow creative Alex Loughton.
"As a professional athlete you're striving for perfection," Loughton, who started digital content company Power Forward Media during his playing days, said.
"When you have a passion after basketball you apply the same principles. You're always striving to be at the elite level because that's what you're used to.
"There is a huge crossover, in that sense. It's a gift and a curse because you work harder than others. But you also get the benefits of creating a great product, just in a different career."
Loughton said Adekponya's keen eye could be seen in his photography work as well, both at the World Cup and the Boomers historic 2019 exhibition win over Team USA in front of more than 50,000 fans in Melbourne.
"He captured passion, the victory, elation and celebrations," Loughton said.
"To know when to take that photo is rare. There's a classic shot of Aron Baynes being helped up from the floor by his teammates.
"There's another one of Patty Mills, a shot from behind as he comes through a guard of honour at that game. Classic. Just a perfect shot.
"So, he's been able to nail high-level moments and that's exciting for me."
From the Far North to the Five Boroughs
Adekponya is currently in the United States working with Mills on a variety of media projects along with the documentary.
Asked about the impact of Mills' philanthropic work through Indigenous Basketball Australia, the basketball journeyman said the Brooklyn Nets guard would have a lasting impact on Australian culture and society.
"It's not going to really hit for a generation. You're not going to know the meaning of that moment until that next person says to a 60-year-old Patty Mills 'I watched you all on the podium in tears win bronze'," Adekponya said.
"Helping Patty to tell his story and how he can make it to this stage, hopefully that can help others to dream big as well.
"You know kids are seeing it and it's awesome."
But if the former pro who played in Indonesia, Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Malta, Norway and Australia, still yearns to lace up the high-tops, Khalu said he may be able to find him a roster spot.
"There's always a spot for Matty Adekponya wherever I coach," he said.
