NBL stars headline Boomers team

Thursday, October 31, 2024

The Australian Boomers squad for the November FIBA window has been named.

Rising coaching star Jacob Chance will lead an NBL stacked Australian Boomers at the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifying Tournament in Thailand in November.

The highly regarded 30-year-old, who has impressed in NBL assistant coaching roles with the Perth Wildcats, Tasmania JackJumpers and now Melbourne United and as Head of Video and Analytics for the Boomers, has earned his opportunity to lead Australia in two fixtures against Thailand (November 21) and Korea (November 24) as qualification for next year’s tournament in Saudi Arabia begins.

Chance, who will be flanked by assistant coaches Kerry Williams and Robbie McKinlay, said he was thrilled to take the coaching reins.

“I’ve had a good depth of experience in professional basketball over the last decade with both the Boomers and in the NBL. Having exposure to major tournaments like the FIBA Asia Cup, World Cup, Olympics and other windows fills me with confidence for the challenge ahead,” Chance said.

“I’m really proud and also grateful to Basketball Australia and Jason Smith for backing in the pathway of Aussie coaches and I know Kerry, Robbie and myself will take plenty away from the experience.”

The Boomers team for Thailand features Tokyo Olympic bronze medallists Nick Kay and Chris Goulding and a core of players with national experience in a range of tournaments and qualifying windows including Jack White, Sam Froling, Dejan Vasiljevic, Ben Henshall, Mitch Norton, Jordan Hunter and Rocco Zikarsky, who are all currently competing in the NBL season.

Illawarra Hawks duo Will ‘Davo’ Hickey and Lachlan Olbrich will represent the Boomers for the first time at senior international level.

Australian Boomers – Team | FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers
Ben Henshall (Perth)
Chris Goulding (Melbourne)
DJ Vasiljevic (Adelaide)
Jacob Furphy (Centre of Excellence)
Josh Bannan (Brisbane)
Kyle Bowen (Melbourne)
Lachlan Olbrich (Illawarra)
Mitch Norton (Brisbane)
Nick Kay (Shimane Susanoo Magic)
Rocco Zikarsky (Brisbane)
Sam Froling (Illawarra)
Will 'Davo' Hickey (Illawarra)

Head Coach - Jacob Chance | Assistant Coach - Kerry Williams | Assistant Coach - Robbie McKinlay