Emerging NBL Players Named in Boomers Squad

Thursday, February 3, 2022

Basketball Australia have named a 17 man squad ahead of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers scheduled to take place in Japan later this month with a total of nine current NBL players named.

With the NBL season to continue during the qualification, the NBL contingent is made up of emerging young players and Development Players.

Perth Wildcats guard Kyle Zunic is joined by Melbourne United duo David Okwera and Zac Triplett.

The Illawarra Hawks are represented by Emmett Naar, Akoldah Gak and Alex Mudronja with Jaylin Galloway of the Sydney Kings also named.

Development Players Nick Marshall (Adelaide 36ers) and Sean Macdonald (Tasmania JackJumpers) round out the current NBL players named.

Nick Kay is the only member of the Bronze medal winning team who is suiting up, while former Perth Wildcats big men Rhys Vague and Angus Brandt both of whom are also playing in Japan have also been included.

Former Sydney Kings and Melbourne United forward Craig Moller has also been included.

Former NBL championship winning head coach Rob Beveridge leads the team with Brian Goorjian focusing on the Illawarra Hawks NBL campaign.

Perth Wildcats assistant Mike Kelly and former NBL coach of the year Shawn Dennis are also assistant coaches with the team.

Boomers Olympic Head Coach Brian Goorjian is excited about the opportunity for the development players and knows they will do Australia proud.

“The rose gold in Tokyo was about basketball at all levels and these development players now have a tremendous opportunity to step up and represent in the green and gold."

"We are fortunate to have Rob Beveridge at the helm, he is the best person to lead this young group with his extensive experience. Rob will be supported by Robbie McKinlay and Mike Kelly and I personally want to thank the Perth Wildcats for working with us to get Mike over to Japan,” Goorjian said.

The Boomers face Chinese Taipei on February 25, Japan on February 27 and once again play Chinese Taipei on February 28 in Okinawa, Japan.

Boomers World Cup Qualifiers Squad:

Angus Brandt - Kagawa Five Arrows (Japan)

Bol Dengdit - BA Centre of Excellence

Akoldah Gak - Illawarra Hawks

Jaylin Galloway - Sydney Kings

Nick Kay - Shimane Susanoo Magic (Japan)

Sean Macdonald - Tasmania JackJumpers

Makuach Maluach - Korikouvot (Finland)

Nick Marshall - Adelaide 36ers

Craig Moller - Wuerzburg (Germany)

Alex Mudronja - Illawarra Hawks