Boomers squad named as Goorjian’s high-profile omissions confirmed
Brian Goorjian has announced his 12-man squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics, with several big-name omissions confirmed on Sunday morning.
Following Australia’s pair of warm-up games against China, Matisse Thybulle, Xavier Cooks, Chris Goulding, Dejan Vasiljevic and Jack White were all left out.
Thybulle was the biggest name left out after widely being considered one of the first names to be included in the squad, with his defence being the highlight of his game.
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Meanwhile, Dellavedova missed out on selection in the FIBA World Cup squad last year, but has earnt a recall for his fourth Olympic campaign.
Patty Mills and Joe Ingles are featuring in their fifth Olympic tournament, while Josh Giddey, Dyson Daniels, Will Magnay and Jack McVeigh make their debuts.
Opals star Lauren Jackson will also feature in her fifth Olympic Games, headlining a squad ready to push for a medal in Paris.
Jackson, Mills and Ingles join basketball legend Andrew Gaze as the only Australians to feature in an Olympic squad five times.
“Our Olympic basketball teams provide such a great energy to the wider Australian Olympic Team and bring so much joy to millions of Aussie fans back home,” Chef de Mission Anna Meares said.
“These squads have a great mix of experience and youth, with leaders, legends and the next generation combining to give all three teams a great opportunity to go deep in the Paris 2024 tournaments.
“Congratulations to all 28 athletes selected today. I want to pay special tribute to Lauren, Patty and Joe for joining Andrew Gaze as basketball greats who will compete at five Olympic Games.
“To compete at such a high level for so long is an inspiration and we are grateful to see you proudly wear the green and gold in Paris.”
Giddey, having recently been traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Chicago Bulls, expleained he’s excited to represent his country.
“To make my debut in Paris is a childhood dream and I can’t wait to get on the court in front of my family and friends who have all made this journey possible for me,” Giddey said in a statement.
“To be part of the Boomers legacy, well it’s everything. We have a really great group, we know what we need to do and we are just ready to get into it.”
BOOMERS SQUAD
Josh Giddey
Dyson Daniels
Josh Green
Patty Mills
Danté Exum
Jock Landale
Duop Reath
Joe Ingles
Jack McVeigh
Will Magnay
Matthew Dellavedova
Nick Kay
OPALS SQUAD
Bec Allen
Isobel Borlase
Cayla George
Lauren Jackson
Tess Madgen
Ezi Magbegor
Jade Melbourne
Alanna Smith
Steph Talbot
Marianna Tolo
Kristy Wallace
Samathan Whitcomb
GANGURRUS SQUAD
Anneli Maley
Lauren Mansfield
Marena Whittle
Alex Wilson