Two changes have been made to the Boomers team for the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers with Josh Bannan and Jacob Furphy added in place of Jack White (injury) and Nathan Sobey (managed).
23 year old Josh Bannan featured for the Boomers in February’s window and has been building steam for the Bullets in the NBL. Bannan had a season high 17 points and six rebounds in the NBL against Melbourne in Round 8.
The meteoric rise of Jacob Furphy continues with the young Tasmanian set to make his debut for the Boomers. Furphy is a senior member of the Centre of Excellence program and has excelled through Basketball Australia’s junior national system.
Incoming coach Jacob Chance spoke to the depth available and the strengths of Bannan and Furphy coming into the Boomers team.
“We’ve got two high level competitors coming into the group. Both will bring scoring and shooting ability and a toughness that is required in the FIBA game,” said Chance.
“Bannan is a tough scoring forward and I’m excited to see him back in the green & gold. He has started to find a good rhythm in the NBL and I’m looking forward to him complementing our experienced and highly competitive front court.”
“Furphy is a young, skilled, high IQ basketball player who we can see contributing at multiple spots on the floor. He brings an element of versatility and youthfulness,”
Jacob Furphy will be the third debutant in Asia alongside Illawarra pair Will ‘Davo’ Hickey and Lachlan Olbrich.
Chance spoke of the development of Furphy – who recently committed to college powerhouse UConn in NCAA Season 25/26.
“I have followed Jacob’s career along from afar and been a big fan for a long time. Certainly, during my time in Tasmania and watching what he’s done lately, both in a national and international level has been very impressive,” said Chance.
“He is an elite human, a high-level player with elite Basketball IQ. But most of all he embodies the Boomers qualities. He's a winner, he makes his teammates better & plays with a great level of passion.”
Furphy will make his first appearance in a Boomers team alongside Olympians Nick Kay and Chris Goulding and Chance outlined the value that minor tournament windows provide for young players and culture of the program.
“These windows provide a great opportunity for younger players to experience the FIBA game,” said Chance “It’s a different game in terms of the physicality & style of play to what these younger players are used to, so it’s great for them to get a taste of this before upcoming major tournaments in the future,”
“The other benefit is the chance to learn from experienced international players such as Chris (Goulding) & Nick (Kay). To be around them, learn from them and compete alongside them is something that goes under the radar any time we enter the Boomers environment.”
Strong performances against Thailand on 21 November and Korea on 24 November will put the Boomers in prime position for a spot in Saudia Arabia for the FIBA 2025 Asia Cup.
The games will be broadcast live on Kayo Sports in Australia
