The Boomers will bound onto court tomorrow night at the State Basketball Centre in Melbourne under the leadership of Nick Kay, as they prepare for their final two FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Tipping off at 7pm on Thursday evening, the Boomers will face Bahrain followed by Kazakhstan on Sunday afternoon at 3pm. Since the qualifying window opened back in November 2021, six teams have secured their spot in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup including Australia, China, Lebanon, New Zealand and two of the host nations, Japan and the Philippines.
As announced last week, the Boomers team has an even spread of experience and youth, with the likes of Kay, Nathan Sobey, Mitch McCarron and Rhys Vague running out alongside debutants, Mason Peatling and Nick Marshall.
Post training on Wednesday, Kay said he felt privileged to lead the team and the squad was eager to hit the court and get out there as a team.
"To captain the Boomers team for these matches is a real honour, it's really special and I can't wait to run out there with the boys," Kay said.
“The build-up has been really good, a lot of guys are coming off off-season so the hunger to finish off the right way and come together a group means we can leave it all out and get after it, there’s great energy and everyone is really hungry to play."
Boomers Head Coach Dean Vickerman said while the Boomers have already qualified for the tournament in August, these matches provide a valuable opportunity for the team to come together.
“Every time you have the chance to pull on the green and gold and represent your country is a special moment, so for Mason and Nick to experience this and what it means to be a Boomer, will be incredibly valuable for their development,” Vickerman said.
“Going up against Bahrain and Kazakhstan, our team will be led by Nick Kay who has taken on captaincy duties, and he’ll be well supported by McCarron and Sobey in that leadership space.
“Our guys are really excited for these games as they carry on momentum from the NBL season, so I hope sports fans pack the State Basketball Centre and get behind the team.”
Event Dates Thursday 23 February, 7pm AEDT – Australia v Bahrain Sunday 26 February, 3pm AEDT – Australia v Kazakhstan
Location State Basketball Centre Wantirna South, VIC Tickets available through Ticketek.
The FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers are supported by the Victorian Government.
