On Guard: Boomers' Selection Dilemma

Pictured: Dyson Daniels

18 doesn’t go into 12, and Boomers head coach Brian Goorjian has the unenviable task of cutting six players ahead of the Boomers’ upcoming World Cup campaign.

Australia’s current extended squad for September’s tournament is filled with a host of NBA talent – so much that NBL analyst Pete Hooley believes not all of the nation’s selected US-based players will be in the final group on the plane to the tournament.

The guard positions are, as seems to be tradition with Australia, especially stacked with talent. Hooley says this is where some of the nation’s emerging stars could miss out.

“There’s only a few spots up for grabs,” Hooley told SEN. “I don’t envy the decision-making, but I do think it’s going to be a really good team when they pick the final 12.

“The guard spots are going to be really tough to fill, and if I have to think of a couple that might be unlucky, I’m leaning towards Dyson Daniels this year.

“You’ve got Dante (Exum) who’s playing at a really high level obviously, (Josh) Giddey will be there, Matisse (Thybulle).”

World Cup play represents a different challenge to the Olympics.

In the Boomers’ bronze medal winning campaign in Tokyo, Australia played six games between July 25 and August 7.

At the 2019 World Cup, though, they played 11 games between September 1 and September 15.

Hooley says the added number of games could creep into Goorjian’s thinking when selecting his final 12.

“It’s interesting, because it’s a World Cup which is a different tournament layout to the Olympics,” he said.

“They play a whole lot more, and whether that comes into Goorj’s mind of how he wants to put the team together.

“It’s the perfect opportunity. We’ve still got the old guys who have a couple of years left with the way they’re playing in terms of Patty (Mills) and Joe (Ingles), combined with the youngsters coming through.”