Basketball Australia had an announcement recently that appeared somewhat inconsequential, and came with little fanfare.
It was a revised Australian Boomers squad in the lead up to the 2024 Paris Olympics, with the group of players cut from 22 down to 17 ahead of the selection camp at the end of June. Now, we all knew this was coming, and none of the decisions made were overwhelmingly shocking.
Something was telling, though. Rocco Zikarsky and Johnny Furphy -- the two teenagers on the initial extended squad -- didn't make the cut. These are a pair of the country's best up-and-coming talents, and there was a world where one of those two could have been in legitimate contention for the 12th and final spot on the Australian team that will head to Paris, with the idea being to afford them an invaluable experience ahead of what's expected to be a long career in the program.
That won't be the case. Instead, that spot will be used more functionally. It'll be insurance in case of an injury, or a skillset head coach Brian Goorjian may have to tap into depending on a matchup. There's no wasting spots going into these Olympics, which gives us an idea of where this program is in its cycle. Despite the expectations on the Boomers going into the 2023 FIBA World Cup, it was a transitional tournament for the program. Sure, that was perhaps only realised in hindsight, but the product on the floor and the outcome -- a 10th place finish -- was evidence enough of it.
The Boomers will head to Paris one year into that transition, so while the team won't be perfectly in-sync, the expectations should be ever-so-slightly elevated. The coaching staff has had time to review and reflect on it, zoning in on processes that fit the new mould of the team; one that will be in place for at least the next decade. It's Goorjian's last hurrah with the Boomers, and the expectation is he'll be cut-throat and make decisions that are best for the team and program both for now and into the future; perceived entitlement and boys clubs be damned.
The 17 Australians in the Boomers squad will take part in the official training camp in late June, before two games against China in Melbourne on July 2 and 4. From there, the final team of 12 men will be selected for the remainder of their warmup games, ahead of the Olympics in Paris.
But who's going into that camp already getting comfortable in their seat on the flight to Paris, and who should be looking over their shoulder and unsure if it's even worth packing a bag? Here's the state of play.
On the plane (locks)
Josh Giddey
It's been made abundantly clear, both publicly and privately, that Giddey is the face of the Boomers; he's the point guard and focal point that everything will run through. Like the World Cup, the ball will be in Giddey's hands the majority of the time, with the responsibly falling on him to run the show. He's had an up-and-down season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, which can largely be attributed to a shift in roles -- playing less on the ball, with reduced usage -- but that shouldn't affect how he operates for the national team. With Australia, Giddey plays his more natural role of the primary initiator, so he'll take the vast majority of the team's ball-carrying duties. When it comes to picking the final 12, Giddey is the first name on the list.
Jock Landale
Landale's value was on show during the World Cup. He obviously wasn't there, and the struggles were evident, whether it be not having a consistent post option, being a rim protector short, or just general size up front to compete with opposing bigs. Landale is the starting centre, one of the primary options on both ends, and one of the program's leaders. There's also some optimism in how Landale played in the back-end of his season with the Houston Rockets, seeing around 20 minutes a night -- and producing in wins -- over March and April.
Duop Reath
Reath gives the Boomers much-needed depth at the five-spot, and the shooting piece of his game -- 35.9 percent from downtown this NBA season, on 3.6 attempts a contest -- means he can slide down to the four if needed, depending on matchups. He was part of the bronze medal winning team in Tokyo, and has demonstrated vast improvement since then; now coming off an impressive rookie season with the Portland Trail Blazers. The feeling is still that Landale is the starting five, but Reath's evolution has made it a battle; regardless, he's an extremely important piece of this group.
Josh Green
Green worked his way into the starting lineup as the World Cup progressed, and he's Goorjian's preferred option to start in one of those wing spots next to Giddey. A theme you'll notice in this analysis is that the team from the World Cup is likely to be largely unchanged for the Olympics, but that doesn't mean all will stay the same; Green's continued growth with the Dallas Mavericks, especially as a shooter and creator, means he should elevate into a more prominent role on the offensive end. More touches and usage should be the expectation for the 23-year-old. Defensively, Green is up there with Matisse Thybulle and Dyson Daniels as the Boomers' three best point-of-attack defenders.
Danté Exum
The early feel is that Exum will go into camp with a starting spot to lose. The improved shooting he showed with the Mavericks -- 49.1 percent from downtown, albeit on low volume (2.0 attempts a game) -- and even before that during his time in Europe, indicates he could slot in alongside Giddey and Green and not clog the floor. He's the Boomers' second-most effective initiator at the FIBA level, so he's another who should benefit from an increased role, as a secondary playmaker with the starters and then backup point guard at times. A Giddey-Green-Exum trio is also far more palatable defensively than what the Boomers primarily put on the floor during the World Cup.
Matisse Thybulle
The World Cup was a tournament to forget for Thybulle, but we've seen at times how effective his game can be in the FIBA environment. The shooting remains his swing skill, but he's coming off another reasonable season from beyond the arc: 34.6 percent, on 3.6 attempts a game with the Trail Blazers over the 2023-24 campaign. The defensive versatility, of course, is where Thybulle fills a need for this team; he can guard one-through-four, and his activity can help facilitate the faster paced style of play Goorjian is searching for. Thybulle's role will likely be situational; he could start at the four if needed, or be a defensive spark plug off the bench. Both Thybulle and the Boomers are hoping for, and expecting, a bounce-back campaign.
Patty Mills
Despite having his least prominent -- and therefore his least productive -- NBA season in a decade, there's still a role for Mills on this Boomers team. When we talk about best available, and a skillset the team needs, Mills has it. Unlike what we've seen over the last few major tournament campaigns, though, there's an expectation that role will be different, potentially to him being a gunner off the bench. That's probably the role that fits his skillset the most; the Boomers can lean into his shooting skillset and microwave mindset while not playing him bulk minutes, so having the opportunity to play far more effective lineups with the other end of the floor in mind. An NBA season in isolation isn't what would dictate that change in roles, and Mills was a productive and efficient scorer at the World Cup, but this staff understands it needs to lean into its younger, more prominent talent, and shifting Mills slightly is a big part of that.
Dyson Daniels
Daniels wasn't used in any real way during the World Cup but, with a second NBA season under his belt, that's expected to change. How big that role is remains a question, but there's value in Daniels' ability to get downhill, and he allows the Boomers to put some really versatile, long, athletic, switchy defensive lineups out there. Again, Goorjian wants to play with pace, and Daniels is someone who can help facilitate that on either end of the ball, so he should have the opportunity to be an impactful part of this team. There are guards and wings ahead of him in the rotation, but there'd be a ton of value in this coaching staff unlocking Daniels' special defensive talent, so he should, at least, be in for an increase in meaningful minutes at these Olympics.
In the terminal (Practically a lock)
Chris Goulding
This team plans to have a designated, no-leave shooter, and Goulding is, without question, the best version of that in the country. Goulding's role was extremely limited at the World Cup because of some minor injuries in the lead-up, but, now healthy and assuming things stay that way, there's a sense the coaching staff understands how much his skillset adds to a core that needs spacing to operate. There are defensive deficiencies worth considering, but Goulding is a two-time Olympian and coming off one of the best seasons of his career, especially from an efficiency standpoint, so his inclusion in the team wouldn't be to just tick a box; he needs to be on the floor.
On the way to the airport (Just inside the bubble)
Xavier Cooks
Cooks was one of the Boomers' most effective players at the World Cup, excelling as a roller, switchy defender, and second shot creator, so he'll go into camp with a ton of good will with the coaching staff. The return of Landale to the team means the use for Cooks at the five is diminished, but his athleticism, defensive versatility and mobility for his position is a thing this team will need, especially with the group they're in. There's a good chance the Boomers have to face guys like Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Jamal Murray in the opening round, so what Cooks brings to the table defensively is important. Here, however, is where we begin some of the important questions going into camp: is Cooks' skillset more important to the Boomers than having more shooting at their disposal? Are they deep enough with athletic wings that they don't need a forward like Cooks?
Joe Ingles
Going into camp, there's probably a 50-50 chance Ingles is in the coaching staff's mind as a member of the final 12-man team. Ingles is vying to play in his fifth Olympics, which is an incredible accomplishment, but we shouldn't expect the coaching staff to prioritise rewarding long service over a player or skillset the team may need more throughout the campaign. Now, that player could well be Ingles, who, while not producing at a high level, was a rotation player for a playoff team this NBA season. That player may also be someone who's more dynamic, or more versatile on the defensive end; a better fit in how Goorjian wants to play on both ends. For example, having Giddey, Mills, and Ingles on the floor at the same time is such a proposition defensively, so that sentiment is part of the consideration when picking the team's ancillary players. It's clear that Ingles will go into camp fighting for a spot.
Nick Kay
Kay has been a reliable piece for this Boomers team, both in major tournaments and the qualifying games he makes himself available for, so those runs on the board put him in a good place going into the selection of this Olympic team. The return of Landale, and emergence of Cooks, is what makes Kay's spot on the team, while still likely, not a certainty. Kay's not an effective five-man at the major tournament level, and the superstar guards the Boomers will likely face may require them to throw a different look out there. Going into camp, Kay more than likely has one foot in the team, but this is now a team built around Giddey, with Landale as a key option, so maximising that will be the priority over judging individual skillsets.
Still packing their bags (Outside the bubble... for now)
Jack White
Everyone in this group is going to camp for a reason, which is that there's a need that may have to be filled with a specific skillset of one of them. Out of everyone just sitting outside the bubble, White is probably the most likely to work his way into legitimate contention. He, of course, was part of the World Cup team, but that's because he replaced the injured Landale; White was on course to be the last player cut. From a pure skillset perspective, White's athleticism, defensive capacity and switchability, and improved shooting -- 37.3 percent from downtown, on 4.3 attempts a game, over his two seasons in the NBA G-League -- fits exactly what Goorjian wants in the forwards at the Olympics, so he's well and truly knocking on the door.
These are part of those questions the Boomers' coaching staff will need to ask as camp progresses. Do we believe White's overall skillset is a better fit with this group than Kay's? Is White's plus shooting a more preferable specific skill to have on this team than Cooks' playmaking and size? Is White's dynamism more valuable to the group than whatever experience Ingles brings to the table?
Jack McVeigh
McVeigh -- the recently crowned NBL Championship Series MVP -- is the newest addition to this program, and earned himself that spot after a career season with the Tasmania JackJumpers. When it comes to the potential of McVeigh getting on the final 12-man team, a lot of the same questions that'll be asked of White will also apply here. McVeigh's swing skill is, of course, the shooting; he was just shy of 40 percent from downtown, on volume, this NBL season. McVeigh has the training camp to show that his value as a shooter is the better ancillary skillset for this team that what guys like Cooks, Kay, Ingles, and White bring to the table.
Matthew Dellavedova
Dellavedova is in an interesting position going into camp. He's coming off a great NBL season, and he plays with a level of intensity and force that could be useful -- physically, sure, but definitely mentally -- for the Boomers. The team is already very guard and wing heavy, though, so is there room for the three-time Olympian? Let's say Dellavedova would be in line for the 12th spot, which is a guy who's not in the rotation and is there either for insurance, or for a sentimental or cultural lift; is he the best pick to fill that role? Do the Boomers need more creation, or would they lean into extra shooting or defensive bodies? As of now, it feels like the latter.
Will Magnay
The same question will go for Magnay, who isn't close to Landale or Reath when it comes to the preferred centres in Australia, but is good enough -- and has a complementary skillset to the existing team -- to play minutes in the case of unfortunate circumstances. The World Cup team was thin in the front court because of injury, so having a capable big waiting on the wings might have been a smart thing. Magnay is a high-character guy, so not being in a rotation wouldn't be an issue, and he's a solid lob threat and rim protector who could play in a pinch if absolutely needed. Again, the question for the coaching staff going into picking the final spot or two is: who do we want insurance for?
Dejan Vasiljevic
The very strong word remains that only one of Goulding and Vasiljevic would be on the final team. As the squad heads into camp, Vasiljevic remains behind Goulding -- and, right now, by a sizeable margin -- in the fight to earn that spot. A productive season with the 36ers has seen Vasiljevic graduate to someone who's in contention for the 'designated shooter' spot, and while things could change based on what happens in camp, it would take a lot for the pendulum to swing away from Goulding's favour in this Olympic cycle.