Southland Sharks' two Australian imports have caught the eye of their national selectors with Nick Kay and Mitch Norton earning selection in a squad of 20 which will travel to the Gold Coast next month as preparations ramp up for the Australian Boomers ahead of the FIBA Asia Cup to be held in Lebanon from August 8-20.
Our two favourite Australians will have a busy off-season, with both set to play alongside each other as part of an NBL Selection team that will travel to China in early July to help spread the NBL message into the key Asian market.
The Boomers squad is largely made up of NBL players along with Australians in Europe. In total, 18 players invited to the camp are members of NBL Clubs including Nick and Mitch who are also team mates at the Illawarra Hawks and the club's only two representatives.
Out of this camp, a final team of 12 will be selected to depart overseas for warm-up games as preparation for the FIBA Asia Cup.
Head Coach Andrej Lemanis noted his touch point with all players previously, across Boomers play, World University games, Emerging Boomers and most recently the NBL All-Australian tour of China where seven of the squad played for Lemanis against the Chinese National Team.
“That is proof that the system is working well and we’re able to continually work with a broader group and connect them to the Boomers culture.”
Following the FIBA Asia Cup draw last month, the Boomers have been placed into Group D alongside Japan, Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong.
The FIBA Asia Cup will be played in a round robin group stage with the top three teams from each of the four groups advancing to the second phase.
The tournament will then be played in a knockout format from the Quarter-Finals onwards through the Semi-Finals and bronze and gold medal matches.
Full Australian Boomers Squad for FIBA Asia Cup Camp:
David Andersen – Melbourne United
Todd Blanchfield – Sydney Kings
Angus Brandt – Perth Wildcats
Jason Cadee – Sydney Kings
Mitch Creek – Adelaide 36ers
Cameron Gliddon – Cairns Taipans
Chris Goulding – Melbourne United
Matt Hodgson – Adelaide 36ers
Tom Jervis – Brisbane Bullets
Nick Kay – Illawarra Hawks
Daniel Kickert – Brisbane Bullets
Kevin Lisch – Sydney Kings
Ben Madgen – Lietkabelis Panevėžys (Lithuania)
Majok Majok – Melbourne United
Mitch McCarron – Cairns Taipans
Brad Newley – Sydney Kings
Mitch Norton – Illawarra Hawks
Nathan Sobey – Adelaide 36ers
Clint Steindl – Leuven Bears (Belgium)
Jesse Wagstaff – Perth Wildcats
Team Staff:
Andrej Lemanis – Head Coach
Luc Longley – Coach
Will Weaver – Coach
Adam Caporn – Coach
David Hillard – Head of Medical Services
Anthony Kaleel – Massage Therapist
Jason Membrey – Head of Delegation
Junior Albert – Equipment Manager