As well as playing the host nations, they will also face Uruguay — all of them being tough matchups and great preparation for their matchup with the Tall Blacks from across the ditch. One of the camp invitees may cause a stir in particular — Aron Baynes. The 22-year old big man was born in New Zealand, but grew up in far north Australia before heading over to play College ball in the NCAA with Washington State. Consequently, both the Australian and New Zealand national sides have shown interest in him.
He is tipped to make an appearance at camp and has eligibility to play for either country until he first steps on the court for one or the other in an international match. He has been “warming up” with the Los Angeles Lakers in NBA Summer League action, where fellow North Queenslander and Boomer, Nathan Jawai has also been on duty.
“I need to get on the court and make an impact,” Jawai said.
“Playing for the Boomers I think will be a great thing for me to get back into game shape, because I’ve been out for a while.
“I’ve just got to go back and have a good preseason and hopefully I can cement my spot there and get some playing minutes.”
Fellow NBA draft pick, Patty Mills, will be unavailable for Boomers duty after breaking his foot in camp with the Portland Trail Blazers. Jawai sees him as a future success story in the NBA.
“You watch the Olympics, he proved it. Definitely he’s quick enough to be in the NBA,” he said.
“I mean, size could be a problem but then again there’s a lot of guys his size in NBA.
“I think you’ve just got to have the heart and I think Patty has heart.”
Mills being unavailable, as too is incumbent starter CJ Bruton, means that the Aussies are light-on in the point guard department. There seems to be no word on Aaron Bruce, who was last heard to be over in the USA (where he attended College with Baylor), presumably looking for overseas opportunities for next season. So the key reigns as floor general have fallen to Adam Gibson — a player that new head coach Brett Brown will rely heavily on.
“We reached out to C. J. Bruton once Patty went down, but he’s just had an operation,” Brown said yesterday.
“Adam Gibson is continuing to get in shape and will be needed heavily.”
“Damian Martin went down with an injury so he’s out. Promising prospect Nate Tomlinson injured his foot overseas.”
“So we’re looking at people who could truly be on the team in London (at the 2012 Olympics).”
Other prominent names on the team include the naturalised Adam Ballinger, fellow big Ranga Luke Schenscher, potentially Spain-bound David Barlow and NBA draftee Joe Ingles. Recent under-19 world championship representatives Matthew Dellavedova, Jason Cadee and Jorden Page get their first chance at senior level.
FIBA also had the following player notes:
NBA players Andrew Bogut and David Andersen along with former Captain Matt Nielsen visiting the camp on Friday but not suiting up.
Six members of the Boomers team that toured China in late June have not been included in the latest squad, with Rhys Carter, Brad Hill, Jacob Holmes and Matthew Knight cut from the group while Aleks Maric (quadriceps) and Damien Martin (wrist) are unavailable through injury.
Athletes attending Boomers Training Camp July 22-26:
Name / Most recent college or pro team / Junior Association / Age / Height
Adam BALLINGER / Adelaide 36ers / Bluffton HS (USA) / 29 / 206cm
David BARLOW / Melbourne Tigers / Sandringham Sabres / 25 / 205cm
Aron BAYNES / Washington State University (USA) / Cairns, QLD / 22 / 208cm
Matt BURSTON / Adelaide 36ers / Perry Lakes, WA / 26 / 210cm
Jason CADEE / Australian Institute of Sport / Bankstown, NSW / 18 / 185cm
Peter CRAWFORD / Townsville Crocodiles / Mt. Isa, QLD / 29 / 193cm
Matthew DELLAVEDOVA / Australian Institute of Sport / Maryborough, VIC / 18 / 189cm
Daniel DILLON / South Dragons / Bulleen, VIC / 23 / 193cm
Cody ELLIS / Australian Institute of Sport / Stirling, WA / 19 / 202cm
Oscar FORMAN / New Zealand Breakers (NZ) / Sturt, SA / 27 / 206cm
Adam GIBSON / Gold Coast Blaze / Launceston, TAS / 22 / 188cm
James HARVEY / Gold Coast Blaze / Perry Lakes, WA / 30 / 196cm
Joe INGLES / South Dragons / Southern Tigers / 21 / 203cm
Nathan JAWAI / Dallas Mavericks (USA) / Cairns, QLD / 22 / 208cm
Brock MOTUM / Australian Institute of Sport / Brisbane / 18 / 205cm
Luke NEVILL / University of Utah (USA) / Stirling, WA / 23 / 216cm
Jorden PAGE / Australian Institute of Sport / Maroochydore, QLD / 18 / 182cm
Stephen WEIGH / Perth Wildcats / Rockhampton, QLD / 22 / 202cm
Luke SCHENSCHER / Adelaide 36ers / Noarlunga, SA / 26 / 216cm
