Goorjian provides Boomers roster update

It's been a competitive two days at the Australian Boomers training camp in Cairns, and head coach Brian Goorjian has revealed he is no closer to deciding on the 12-man team for the FIBA World Cup.

The Boomers’ squad arrived in Cairns earlier this week to partake in an intense training camp, which will help determine the final roster.

While Goorjian said he has no preconceived ideas on who will make the 12-man team for the World Cup, he believes the camp will uncover who is best suited to his game plan.

“It’s competitive because the selection is going to be really tight, we have 18 guys that we’ve got to cut to 12,” Goorjian said.

“As we develop more and more a style of play, certain guys fitting into the main eight or nine, that’s going to evolve and become pretty clear.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/BasketballAus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BasketballAus</a> Boomers officially got things underway today at their pre-<a href="https://twitter.com/FIBAWC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FIBAWC</a> camp in Cairns ?<br><br>Following this camp, the Boomers will face Brazil, Venezuela and South Sudan in Melbourne ? <a href="https://t.co/oPDaxt3udF">pic.twitter.com/oPDaxt3udF</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1686301338387546112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The six-time NBL coaching champion further explained the competitive nature of the camp.

“It’s a short window so there’s an expectation to come in shape,” Goorjian said on RSN.

“One of the positives is that there is competition in all positions. It makes for good practice, intense practice.

“Really happy with the group that we’ve got, really happy with the progression that we’re making in practice.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">JUST IN! ? Watch the Boomers press conference with Brian Goorjian, Josh Giddey and Thon Maker. <a href="https://t.co/IB77sIGcW9">https://t.co/IB77sIGcW9</a></p>&mdash; Cairns Taipans (@CairnsTaipans) <a href="https://twitter.com/CairnsTaipans/status/1686577205147729920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Josh Giddey, a young superstar in the NBA, is expected to make the team, with Goorjian expressing promising words for his future with the Boomers.

“He’s a great player and I’m really excited about his aggression. He makes everybody better and we’re very fortunate to have him,” Goorjian said.

Giddey commented, "I've wanted to be in the Boomers and a part of this program for a long time, and I was able to get a taste of it at the last Olympic camp a couple years back...the talent we’ve got in Australian basketball is as good as it has ever been”.

The World Cup begins on August 25.