Josh Giddey is coming off an impressive sophomore season in the NBA, where he averaged 6.2 assists, 7.9 rebounds and 16.6 points on 48% from the field. The 20-year-old has not only given hope to the Oklahoma City Thunder team that drafted him but also represents the future of Australia’s national basketball side. Giddey has been saying for a long time now that he hopes to play for the Boomers and recently confirmed that the 2023 FIBA World Cup is where we’ll get to see it happen.
“I’ve always dreamed of playing for the Boomers,” Giddey told SEN Breakfast.
“I’ve had a couple of brief stints playing for Australia with the juniors or with the senior team a couple of years back.
“Now I think Australian talent is as good as it’s ever been. This World Cup is going to be probably the most real chance we’ve ever had to win a gold medal.
“I’ll definitely be there, and I’m really excited for it.”
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In August this year, the world’s best basketball players will take travel to Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines to represent their respective countries in the sport. Australia has never won a medal at the FIBA World Cup, falling just short during their semi-final appearance in 2019.
In fact, the Boomers only won their first medal at the Tokyo Olympics a couple of years ago, emerging with a bronze medal after a 107-93 win over Slovenia. Josh Giddey didn’t make the cut for that Boomers side, but he’s since proven that he’s well-deserving of a place on Brian Goorjian’s team.
We’re now looking at a potential Boomers lineup consisting of Patty Mills, Josh Giddey, Joe Ingles, Nick Kay, Jock Landale, Dyson Daniels, Matisse Thybulle, Josh Green, Jack White, Dante Exum, Aaron Baynes, Matthew Dellavedova, and – if he decides he’s actually serious about it this time – Ben Simmons. It’s a talented and deep roster that will likely be a force on the international stage for years to come.
