Vickerman to Lead Boomers in the Burbs

Melbourne United Coach, Dean Vickerman, will take the reins of the Boomers later this month after he was named coach for the upcoming qualifying window.

The window, which has two games remaining for the Boomers, forms part of the team’s preparation as they head towards the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, which kicks off in August across three host nations – Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines. Vickerman will lead the team – which will feature Tokyo bronze medallists Nathan Sobey and Nick Kay – against Bahrain and Kazakhstan at the State Basketball Centre in Melbourne on Thursday 23 and Sunday 26 of February.

With a decorated coaching career spanning more than two decades across three countries, Vickerman has won three NBL Championships as head coach (2015, 2018, 2021), four championships as an assistant coach (2006, 2011, 2012, 2013) and has twice been awarded the Lindsay Gaze Trophy for NBL Coach of The Year.  width="1024"]

 

 Vickerman has been the head coach of Melbourne United since 2017.[/caption] Vickerman said he was looking forward to grasping this opportunity to lead Australia’s national team.

“I’m really honoured to be at the helm of the Boomers for this window. Unfortunately, due to club commitments I haven’t been available to coach the national team, so this is the first time I’m suiting up and I’m excited.”

Boomers Head Coach, Brian Goorjian, said Vickerman’s impressive resume coupled with his character will benefit the team.

“I welcome Dean’s appointment as Head Coach-Boomers for the February window,” he said.

“Dean is not only one of the most respected coaches in the country he is a fantastic person and it’s great that he is available to take the reins in our final qualifying window before we head towards the World Cup later this year.”

Following his commitments for the Perth Wildcats in the NBL finals, Mike Kelly will also join Vickerman in the coaching ranks, as well as Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence head coach, Robbie McKinlay and Jamie Pearlman of the Adelaide 36ers.

Basketball Australia respects the current commitments of players and coaches taking part in the NBL finals series, and their responsibilities to their clubs at this time.

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