The Boomers Pair Impressing Goorjian

The competition for those 12 prized positions on the plane to the FIBA World Cup doesn’t just start when the pre-tournament camp does. It’s started now, and there are already players impressing head coach Brian Goorjian.

Goorjian is currently in Las Vegas for the NBA Summer League where he – along with Perth head coach John Rillie – is a member of the New York Knicks’ coaching staff.

A number of Boomers hopefuls are both playing in and attending the competition, and Goorjian says he’s been impressed by two in particular.

“I think a really important position for us right now is we’re all looking at that post area,” he told NBL Media.

“Duop (Reath) has had two tremendous games.

“Obviously Dyson Daniels is getting a great opportunity at this tournament to showcase himself and grow his game.

“I also had a chance to talk to Joe Ingles and some of the other guys here, but it’s those two I’ve really noticed in my time here.”

The number of Australian representatives, past NBL talent, and current NBL players seems to be exponentially increasing year-on-year at the Summer League.

Previously unheralded talents like Xavier Cooks have earned opportunities at the tournament so far this year, while young stars like Jaylin Galloway and Sam Waardenburg are afforded the chance to experience the game at a different level than ever before.

It isn’t just Australian fans who are noticing this continuous increase of NBL presence in Las Vegas. Goorjian says our domestic competition is the talk of the town.

“Everybody you come [across] is talking about it,” Goorjian said of the NBL, “It’s just a really hot property right now.

“The growth of the game and how well everybody is doing worldwide. All those guys coming over here to play on the teams, coaches helping with the staff - there’s just a really good interaction between the NBL and NBA right now.

“I’ve know I’ve had some meals with the Asian community in China and they’re all asking ‘what’s going on with the NBL? What’s going on in Australia?’.

“The development of your players and the pro league has changed so much in the ten years that I’ve known those guys.”

The Boomers will enter a pre-tournament training camp prior to undertaking the ‘Boomers vs World’ series in August.

From there, a 12-man roster will be named to contest the World Cup in the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan.