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{{short description|Men's national basketball team representing Australia}}
{{Short description|Men's national basketball team representing Australia}}
{{Redirect|The Boomers|other uses|Boomer (disambiguation)}}
{{Redirect|The Boomers|other uses|Boomer (disambiguation)}}
{{About|the men's team|the women's team|Australia women's national basketball team}}
{{About|the men's team|the women's team|Australia women's national basketball team}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox national basketball team
{{Infobox national basketball team
| country = Australia
| type = Men
| logo = Australian boomers logo.png
| country = Australia
| logo_width = 195px
| logo = Australian boomers logo.png
| nickname = Boomers
| logo_width = 195px
| coach = [[Brian Goorjian]]
| nickname = Boomers
| fiba_ranking = {{FIBA World Rankings|AUS}}
| joined_fiba = 1947
| joined_fiba = 1947
| fiba_zone = FIBA Asia
| fiba_zone = FIBA Asia
| national_fed = [[Basketball Australia]]
| national_fed = [[Basketball Australia]]
| zone_championship = [[FIBA Oceania Championship]]
| oly_appearances = 16
| zone_championship2 = [[FIBA Asia Cup]]
| oly_medals = {{OG3}} ''Bronze:'' ([[Basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2020]])
| fiba_ranking = {{FIBA World Rankings|AUS}}
| wc_appearances = 13
| coach = [[Brian Goorjian]]
| wc_medals = None
| oly_appearances = 15
| zone_championship = [[FIBA Asia Cup]]
| oly_medals = {{OG3}} ''Bronze:'' ([[Basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2020]])
| zone_appearances = 2
| wc_appearances = 13
| zone_medals = {{Asia1}} ''Gold:'' ([[2017 FIBA Asia Cup|2017]], [[2022 FIBA Asia Cup|2022]])
| wc_medals =
| zone_championship2 = [[FIBA Oceania Championship]]
| zone_appearances = 21
| zone_appearances2 = 21
| zone_medals = {{Oc1}} ''Gold:'' ([[FIBA Oceania Championship 1971|1971]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1975|1975]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1978|1978]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1979|1979]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1981|1981]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1983|1983]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1985|1985]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1987|1987]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1989|1989]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1991|1991]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1993|1993]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1995|1995]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1997|1997]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 2003|2003]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 2005|2005]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 2007|2007]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 2011|2011]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 2013|2013]], [[2015 FIBA Oceania Championship|2015]])<br /> {{Oc2}} ''Silver:'' ([[FIBA Oceania Championship 2001|2001]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 2009|2009]])
| zone_medals2 = {{Oc1}} ''Gold:'' ([[FIBA Oceania Championship 1971|1971]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1975|1975]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1978|1978]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1979|1979]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1981|1981]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1983|1983]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1985|1985]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1987|1987]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1989|1989]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1991|1991]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1993|1993]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1995|1995]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1997|1997]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 2003|2003]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 2005|2005]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 2007|2007]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 2011|2011]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 2013|2013]], [[2015 FIBA Oceania Championship|2015]])<br/>{{Oc2}} ''Silver:'' ([[FIBA Oceania Championship 2001|2001]], [[FIBA Oceania Championship 2009|2009]])
| zone2_appearances = 2
| h_title = Home
| zone2_medals = {{Asia1}} ''Gold:'' ([[2017 FIBA Asia Cup|2017]], [[2022 FIBA Asia Cup|2022]])
| h_pattern_b = _greenshoulders
| h_pattern_b = _greenshoulders
| h_pattern_s = _greensides
| h_pattern_s = _greensides
| h_body = FFD200
| h_body = FFD200
| h_shorts = FFD200
| h_shorts = FFD200
| a_title = Away
| a_pattern_b = _yellowshoulders
| a_pattern_b = _yellowshoulders
| a_pattern_s = _goldsides
| a_pattern_s = _goldsides
| a_body = 1D3F29
| a_shorts = 1D3F29
| a_body = 1D3F29
| a_shorts = 1D3F29
| first_game = {{bk|BRA|1889}} 89–66 {{bk-rt|AUS}}<br>([[Melbourne]], Australia; 24 November 1956)
| largest_win = {{bk|AUS}} 136–31 {{bk-rt|TAH}}<br>([[Timaru]], New Zealand; 31 August 1987)
| largest_loss = {{bk|USA}} 113–73 {{bk-rt|AUS}}<br>([[Saitama (city)|Saitama]], Japan; 27 August 2006)
}}
}}
The '''Australian men's national basketball team''', nicknamed the '''Boomers''' after the slang term for a male kangaroo, represents [[Australia]] in international basketball competition.<ref name=":0" />
The '''Australia men's national basketball team''', nicknamed the '''Boomers''' after the slang term for a male kangaroo, represents [[Australia]] in international [[basketball]] competition.<ref name=":0" />


Since the late 1980s, Australia has been placed among the world elite teams as the Boomers have reached the semi-finals at both [[Basketball at the Summer Olympics|Summer Olympic Games]] and [[FIBA Basketball World Cup|FIBA World Cup]] on many occasions. Originally a member of the [[FIBA Oceania]] region, Australia nowadays competes at the [[FIBA Asia Cup]] where the Boomers were the dominant team at their first appearance. The [[FIBA Oceania Championship]] mostly consisted of a three-match competition against the other regional power, the [[New Zealand men's national basketball team|New Zealand Tall Blacks]].
Since the late 1980s, Australia has placed among the world elite teams, as the Boomers have reached the semi-finals at both [[Basketball at the Summer Olympics|Summer Olympic Games]] and [[FIBA Basketball World Cup|FIBA World Cup]] on many occasions. Originally a member of the [[FIBA Oceania]] region, Australia nowadays competes at the [[FIBA Asia Cup]] where the Boomers were the dominant team at their first appearance. The [[FIBA Oceania Championship]] mostly consisted of a three-match competition against the other regional power, the [[New Zealand men's national basketball team|New Zealand Tall Blacks]]. Before the formation of the National Basketball League ([[National Basketball League (Australia)|NBL]]) in 1979, Boomers players were selected from state leagues around the country, with [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[South Australia]], and to a lesser extent [[New South Wales]] the dominant states. After the formation of the NBL, players began to be selected almost exclusively from that competition during the 1980s and 1990s.
Before the formation of the National Basketball League ([[National Basketball League (Australia)|NBL]]) in 1979, Boomers players were selected from state leagues around the country, with [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[South Australia]], and to a lesser extent [[New South Wales]] the dominant states. After the formation of the NBL, players began to be selected almost exclusively from that competition during the 1980s and 1990s.


Occasionally players were selected from outside the NBL. [[Mark Bradtke]] made his Boomers debut in 1987 while attending the Australian Institute of Sport ([[Australian Institute of Sport|AIS]]) before he entered the NBL. [[Luc Longley]] made his debut in 1988 while playing college basketball in the United States. Other Australian players enter the [[Euroleague]] and the National Basketball Association ([[National Basketball Association|NBA]]) in the U.S. The Boomers's roster for the [[2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup|2014 World Cup]] included five NBA players: [[Cameron Bairstow]] with the [[Chicago Bulls]], [[Aron Baynes]] with the [[San Antonio Spurs]], [[Matthew Dellavedova]] with the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]], and [[Dante Exum]] and [[Joe Ingles]] with the [[Utah Jazz]]. Three other players who were ruled out of the World Cup due to injury also played or would later play in the NBA, namely [[Andrew Bogut]], [[Ben Simmons]] and [[Patty Mills]].
Occasionally players were selected from outside the NBL. [[Mark Bradtke]] made his Boomers debut in 1987 while attending the Australian Institute of Sport ([[Australian Institute of Sport|AIS]]) before he entered the NBL. [[Luc Longley]] made his debut in 1988 while playing college basketball in the United States. Other Australian players enter the [[Euroleague]] and the National Basketball Association ([[National Basketball Association|NBA]]) in the U.S. The Boomers's roster for the [[2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup|2014 World Cup]] included five NBA players: [[Cameron Bairstow]] with the [[Chicago Bulls]], [[Aron Baynes]] with the [[San Antonio Spurs]], [[Matthew Dellavedova]] with the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]], and [[Dante Exum]] and [[Joe Ingles]] with the [[Utah Jazz]]. Three other players who were ruled out of the World Cup due to injury also played or would later play in the NBA, namely [[Andrew Bogut]], [[Ben Simmons]] and [[Patty Mills]].
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Several players on youth national teams are student athletes at the AIS or in the US college basketball system. Some players (e.g. Longley) made the senior national team while at US schools. By the early 21st century, almost half of the squad played outside Australia. For the [[Basketball at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2012 London Olympic Games]], only two members of the Australian squad were based in the country – [[Peter Crawford (basketball)|Peter Crawford]] and [[Adam Gibson (basketball)|Adam Gibson]], with the latter being the only Australia-based member of the 2014 World Cup squad.
Several players on youth national teams are student athletes at the AIS or in the US college basketball system. Some players (e.g. Longley) made the senior national team while at US schools. By the early 21st century, almost half of the squad played outside Australia. For the [[Basketball at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2012 London Olympic Games]], only two members of the Australian squad were based in the country – [[Peter Crawford (basketball)|Peter Crawford]] and [[Adam Gibson (basketball)|Adam Gibson]], with the latter being the only Australia-based member of the 2014 World Cup squad.


Australia has participated in the [[Basketball at the Summer Olympics|Olympic men's basketball tournaments]] 15 times. The Boomers won a bronze medal against [[Slovenia men's national basketball team|Slovenia]] in the 2020 Olympic Games, making Australia the first team from outside the [[FIBA Americas|Americas]] and [[FIBA Europe|European]] regions to ever win a medal at the event. Australia has also participated in 12 [[FIBA Basketball World Cup|FIBA World Cups]] without winning a medal, making Australia the nation with the third-most appearances at the tournament without winning a medal, behind [[Canada men's national basketball team|Canada]] and [[Puerto Rico men's national basketball team|Puerto Rico]] (both 14).
Australia has participated in the [[Basketball at the Summer Olympics|Olympic men's basketball tournaments]] 15 times. The Boomers won a bronze medal against [[Slovenia men's national basketball team|Slovenia]] in the 2020 Olympic Games, making Australia the first team from outside the [[FIBA Americas|Americas]] and [[FIBA Europe|European]] regions to ever win a medal at the event. Australia has also participated in 13 [[FIBA Basketball World Cup|FIBA World Cups]] without winning a medal, making Australia the nation with the second-most appearances at the tournament without winning a medal, behind [[Puerto Rico men's national basketball team|Puerto Rico]] (15).


==History==
==History==
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In 1987, the Boomers faced a home series against the Soviet Union (known as the [[Wang Laboratories|Wang]] Superchallenge) and although they lost all 6 games, the team, with all players drawn from the [[National Basketball League (Australia)|NBL]] other than [[Australian Institute of Sport]] attendee, 6'10" (208&nbsp;cm) centre / power forward [[Mark Bradtke]] who was making his debut for the Boomers as a 17 year old (Bradtke would make his NBL debut in 1988 with the [[Adelaide 36ers]]).<ref name=":0">{{Citation |last=ncorney78 |title=1987 Australian Boomers vs USSR basketball – part 1 of 7 |date=29 April 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZKPTSdoVTc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211118/0ZKPTSdoVTc |archive-date=18 November 2021 |url-status=live |access-date=13 July 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
In 1987, the Boomers faced a home series against the Soviet Union (known as the [[Wang Laboratories|Wang]] Superchallenge) and although they lost all 6 games, the team, with all players drawn from the [[National Basketball League (Australia)|NBL]] other than [[Australian Institute of Sport]] attendee, 6'10" (208&nbsp;cm) centre / power forward [[Mark Bradtke]] who was making his debut for the Boomers as a 17 year old (Bradtke would make his NBL debut in 1988 with the [[Adelaide 36ers]]).<ref name=":0">{{Citation |last=ncorney78 |title=1987 Australian Boomers vs USSR basketball – part 1 of 7 |date=29 April 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZKPTSdoVTc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211118/0ZKPTSdoVTc |archive-date=18 November 2021 |url-status=live |access-date=13 July 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>


Motivated by the [[1986 FIBA World Championship]], Australia showed up to the [[Basketball at the 1988 Summer Olympics|1988 Seoul Olympic Games]] with quite possibly its most talented roster to that date. Captained by Phil Smyth, the team included Andrew Gaze, [[Damian Keogh]], [[Darryl Pearce]], [[Ray Borner]], and future [[Chicago Bulls]] triple [[List of NBA champions|NBA Championship]] winning centre, 7'2" (218&nbsp;cm) [[Luc Longley]] who was attending the [[New Mexico Lobos men's basketball|University of New Mexico]]. The Boomers breezed through the first round, losing only to gold medallist Soviet Union and silver medallist Yugoslavia. Finishing third place in their group, Australia advanced to the quarter-finals, where they defeated Spain in a closely fought game, by a score of 77–74, sending the Boomers to their first ever semi-finals. They were beaten by Yugoslavia in the semi-final, and then lost to the [[United States national basketball team|United States]] (including future [[NBA Hall of Fame]] player [[David Robinson (basketball)|David Robinson]]), who ended Australia’s dream run with a 78–49 victory in the bronze-medal playoff. Despite the disappointing loss, the Boomers’ fourth-place finish was their best ever result at an Olympic Games (or World Championship) and solidified their status as a rising team.
Motivated by the [[1986 FIBA World Championship]], Australia showed up to the [[Basketball at the 1988 Summer Olympics|1988 Seoul Olympic Games]] with quite possibly its most talented roster to that date. Captained by Phil Smyth, the team included Andrew Gaze, [[Damian Keogh]], [[Darryl Pearce]], [[Ray Borner]], and future [[Chicago Bulls]] triple [[List of NBA champions|NBA Championship]] winning centre, 7'2" (218&nbsp;cm) [[Luc Longley]] who was attending the [[New Mexico Lobos men's basketball|University of New Mexico]]. The Boomers breezed through the first round, losing only to gold medallist Soviet Union and silver medallist Yugoslavia. Finishing third place in their group, Australia advanced to the quarter-finals, where they defeated Spain in a closely fought game, by a score of 77–74, sending the Boomers to their first ever semi-finals. They were beaten by Yugoslavia in the semi-final, and then lost to the [[United States national basketball team|United States]] (including future [[Basketball Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]] player [[David Robinson (basketball)|David Robinson]]), who ended Australia’s dream run with a 78–49 victory in the bronze-medal playoff. Despite the disappointing loss, the Boomers’ fourth-place finish was their best ever result at an Olympic Games (or World Championship) and solidified their status as a rising team.


===1990s: Gaze, Heal and Longley===
===1990s: Gaze, Heal and Longley===
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At the [[Basketball at the 1992 Summer Olympics|1992 Barcelona Olympic Games]], the Boomers looked to prove their fourth-place run at Seoul was no fluke. In the first Summer Olympic Games since the Soviet Union’s dissolution, and the first that [[FIBA]] allowed professional basketball players to play in, Australia played to a respectable 4–4 record and sixth place. The 1992 Olympics saw the return of NBA center [[Luc Longley]] for the Boomers.
At the [[Basketball at the 1992 Summer Olympics|1992 Barcelona Olympic Games]], the Boomers looked to prove their fourth-place run at Seoul was no fluke. In the first Summer Olympic Games since the Soviet Union’s dissolution, and the first that [[FIBA]] allowed professional basketball players to play in, Australia played to a respectable 4–4 record and sixth place. The 1992 Olympics saw the return of NBA center [[Luc Longley]] for the Boomers.


Prior to the 1992 Olympics, the Boomers played in a 3-game home series against a visiting "All-Star" team headlined by [[NBA]] and [[NCAA]] [[college basketball]] legend [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]]. The Boomers won the series 2–1 including attracting a then Australian basketball record 15,000 fans to the [[Rod Laver Arena|National Tennis Centre]] in Melbourne. The Boomers also played in the 1992 [[NBL (Australia) All-Star Game|NBL All-Star Game]] at the [[AIS Arena]] in [[Canberra]] against the "USA Stars" (made up of import players in the NBL) which was played on 4 July and was promoted as the "[[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]] Challenge". The Boomers won the game 149–132 with Andrew Gaze scoring 43 points.<ref>{{Citation |last=illusiv13 |title=1992 NBL All star game – Boomers vs USA All Stars |date=10 November 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRKOKalG8Ic&t=140s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/MRKOKalG8Ic |archive-date=19 December 2021 |url-status=live |access-date=13 July 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
Prior to the 1992 Olympics, the Boomers played in a 3-game home series against a visiting "All-Star" team headlined by [[NBA]] and [[NCAA]] [[college basketball]] legend [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]]. The Boomers won the series 2–1, including attracting a then Australian basketball record 15,000 fans to the [[Rod Laver Arena|National Tennis Centre]] in Melbourne. The Boomers also played in the 1992 [[NBL (Australia) All-Star Game|NBL All-Star Game]] at the [[AIS Arena]] in [[Canberra]] against the "USA Stars" (made up of import players in the NBL) which was played on 4 July and was promoted as the "[[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]] Challenge". The Boomers won the game 149–132 with Andrew Gaze scoring 43 points.<ref>{{Citation |last=illusiv13 |title=1992 NBL All star game – Boomers vs USA All Stars |date=10 November 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRKOKalG8Ic&t=140s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/MRKOKalG8Ic |archive-date=19 December 2021 |url-status=live |access-date=13 July 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>


At the [[1994 FIBA World Championship]] at [[Toronto]], Andrew Gaze starred for the Boomers, leading the tournament with an average of 23.9 points per game. In victories over [[Puerto Rican national basketball team|Puerto Rico]], [[South Korean national basketball team|South Korea]], and Cuba, Gaze scored 34, 31, and 30 points, respectively. Australia finished with a 5–3 record, and finished the tournament in fifth place. This was Phil Smyth’s last World Championship appearance as a player
At the [[1994 FIBA World Championship]] at [[Toronto]], Andrew Gaze starred for the Boomers, leading the tournament with an average of 23.9 points per game. In victories over [[Puerto Rican national basketball team|Puerto Rico]], [[South Korean national basketball team|South Korea]], and Cuba, Gaze scored 34, 31, and 30 points, respectively. Australia finished with a 5–3 record, and finished the tournament in fifth place. This was Phil Smyth’s last World Championship appearance as a player
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The Boomers qualified for the [[2010 FIBA World Championship]] in [[Turkey]] and placed 10th overall. In 2011, Melbourne-born number one [[2011 NBA draft|NBA draft]] pick [[Kyrie Irving]] considered declaring his international allegiance to Australia in order to compete in the 2012 Olympics, but eventually opted to wait for international selection for the [[United States men's national basketball team|United States]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/olympics/how-close-australia-really-got-to-luring-nba-superstar-kyrie-irving-as-boomers-prepare-for-team-usa/news-story/623605d6ed01097a5c886be0919d7dfb |title=How close Australia really got to luring NBA superstar Kyrie Irving, as Boomers prepare for Team USA |date=10 August 2016 |access-date=16 November 2018}}</ref>
The Boomers qualified for the [[2010 FIBA World Championship]] in [[Turkey]] and placed 10th overall. In 2011, Melbourne-born number one [[2011 NBA draft|NBA draft]] pick [[Kyrie Irving]] considered declaring his international allegiance to Australia in order to compete in the 2012 Olympics, but eventually opted to wait for international selection for the [[United States men's national basketball team|United States]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/olympics/how-close-australia-really-got-to-luring-nba-superstar-kyrie-irving-as-boomers-prepare-for-team-usa/news-story/623605d6ed01097a5c886be0919d7dfb |title=How close Australia really got to luring NBA superstar Kyrie Irving, as Boomers prepare for Team USA |date=10 August 2016 |access-date=16 November 2018}}</ref>


Despite Irving declining the offer to represent his country of birth, the Boomers entered the [[Basketball at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2012 London Olympic Games]] with arguably their most talented roster since 2000, though they were missing their star [[centre (basketball)|centre]] Andrew Bogut, who was out with a broken ankle. Australia made the quarter-finals with a 3–2 win–loss record, but gold medallists United States put the Boomers away late in the game, ending their run with a seventh-place finish again.
Despite Irving declining the offer to represent his country of birth, the Boomers entered the [[Basketball at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2012 London Olympic Games]] with arguably their most talented roster since 2000, though they were missing their star [[center (basketball)|centre]] Andrew Bogut, who was out with a broken ankle. Australia made the quarter-finals with a 3–2 win–loss record, but gold medallists United States put the Boomers away late in the game, ending their run with a seventh-place finish again.


Following the London Olympics, [[Brett Brown]] announced his decision to step down as Boomers head coach, citing his desire to spend more time with his family in the United States. As of December 2012, [[Basketball Australia]] was yet to announce his replacement, although one of his assistants, dual [[National Basketball League (Australasia)|National Basketball League]] championship winning coach with the [[New Zealand Breakers]], [[Andrej Lemanis]], was one of the favourites to win the job.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/more-sport/brett-brown-has-quit-as-coach-of-the-australian-mens-bastketball-team/story-fndukor0-1226505474201 |title=Brett Brown has quit as coach of the Australian men's bastketball team |access-date=11 August 2016}}</ref>
Following the London Olympics, [[Brett Brown]] announced his decision to step down as Boomers head coach, citing his desire to spend more time with his family in the United States. As of December 2012, [[Basketball Australia]] was yet to announce his replacement, although one of his assistants, dual [[National Basketball League (Australasia)|National Basketball League]] championship winning coach with the [[New Zealand Breakers]], [[Andrej Lemanis]], was one of the favourites to win the job.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/more-sport/brett-brown-has-quit-as-coach-of-the-australian-mens-bastketball-team/story-fndukor0-1226505474201 |title=Brett Brown has quit as coach of the Australian men's bastketball team |access-date=11 August 2016}}</ref>
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| caption3 = [[Ben Simmons]]
| caption3 = [[Ben Simmons]]
}}
}}
Because Australia would finish third by losing, and that finishing third would benefit Australia more than finishing second, combined with the absences of fit key players [[Aron Baynes]] and [[Joe Ingles]] led to allegations that Australia deliberately lost their game against Angola in order to finish third in their group, and as a result, avoid the [[United States men's national basketball team|United States]] until the semi-finals, with Slovenian basketballer [[Goran Dragić]] posting "Basketball is a beautiful sport, there is no room for fixing the game like today Australia vs Angola!! @FIBA should do something about that!" on Twitter. However, these claims were denied by Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.aussiehoopla.com/australian-boomers-tank-angola/ |title=Did the Australian Boomers 'tank' against Angola? |work=Aussie Hoopla |access-date=13 July 2017 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/2539063/boomers-deny-tank-accusation/ |title=Boomers deny 'tank' accusation |first=Australian Community Media – Fairfax |last=Media |date=5 September 2014 |access-date=11 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/boomers-world-cup-loss-to-minnow-angola-enables-them-to-miss-usa-side-of-draw-20140905-10cqy0.html |title=Boomers' World Cup loss to minnow Angola enables them to miss USA side of draw |first=Roy |last=Ward |date=5 September 2014 |access-date=10 October 2017 |via=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/boomers-deny-tanking-after-loss-to-angola-at-world-championships-20140905-10cqoi.html |title=Boomers deny tanking after loss to Angola at world championships |first=Joe |last=Barton |date=4 September 2014 |access-date=11 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/05/australias-boomers-deny-tanking-at-basketball-world-cup |title=Australia's Boomers deny 'tanking' at Basketball World Cup |agency=Australian Associated Press |date=4 September 2014 |access-date=11 August 2016 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/angola-storm-over-boomers-in-world-cup-shock/story-e6frg7mf-1227048650390 |title=Boomers accused of World Cup tank |date=5 September 2014 |access-date=13 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theroar.com.au/2014/09/05/the-boomers-loss-to-angola-tournament-strategy-or-un-australian-tanking/ |title=Boomers' loss to Angola: 'Tournament strategy' or 'un-Australian'? |date=4 September 2014 |access-date=11 August 2016}}</ref> On 26 November 2014, Australia was cleared of tanking by FIBA.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-27/boomers-cleared-of-tanking/5920938 |title=Boomers cleared of tanking by FIBA |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=26 November 2014 |access-date=11 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://au.sports.yahoo.com/basketball/news/article/-/25626101/australia-cleared-of-tanking-angola-match/ |title=Australia cleared of tanking Angola match – Yahoo!7 Sport |access-date=1 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206060033/https://au.sports.yahoo.com/basketball/news/article/-/25626101/australia-cleared-of-tanking-angola-match/ |archive-date=6 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportal.com.au/basketball/news/australia-cleared-of-tanking-at-fiba-basketball-world-cup/1qnp1qz5qztoz15ofkg4mm518i |title=Basketball &#124; SPORTAL |access-date=1 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204170144/http://www.sportal.com.au/basketball/news/australia-cleared-of-tanking-at-fiba-basketball-world-cup/1qnp1qz5qztoz15ofkg4mm518i |archive-date=4 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://espn.go.com/olympics/basketball/story/_/id/11941823/fiba-clears-australia-tanking-world-cup |title=FIBA clears Aussies of tanking at World Cup |date=26 November 2014 |access-date=11 August 2016}}</ref>
Because Australia would finish third by losing, and that finishing third would benefit Australia more than finishing second, combined with the absences of fit key players [[Aron Baynes]] and [[Joe Ingles]] led to allegations that Australia deliberately lost their game against Angola in order to finish third in their group, and as a result, avoid the [[United States men's national basketball team|United States]] until the semi-finals, with Slovenian basketballer [[Goran Dragić]] posting "Basketball is a beautiful sport, there is no room for fixing the game like today Australia vs Angola!! @FIBA should do something about that!" on Twitter. However, these claims were denied by Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.aussiehoopla.com/australian-boomers-tank-angola/ |title=Did the Australian Boomers 'tank' against Angola? |work=Aussie Hoopla |access-date=13 July 2017 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/2539063/boomers-deny-tank-accusation/ |title=Boomers deny 'tank' accusation |first=Australian Community Media – Fairfax |last=Media |date=5 September 2014 |access-date=11 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/boomers-world-cup-loss-to-minnow-angola-enables-them-to-miss-usa-side-of-draw-20140905-10cqy0.html |title=Boomers' World Cup loss to minnow Angola enables them to miss USA side of draw |first=Roy |last=Ward |date=5 September 2014 |access-date=10 October 2017 |via=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/boomers-deny-tanking-after-loss-to-angola-at-world-championships-20140905-10cqoi.html |title=Boomers deny tanking after loss to Angola at world championships |first=Joe |last=Barton |date=4 September 2014 |access-date=11 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/05/australias-boomers-deny-tanking-at-basketball-world-cup |title=Australia's Boomers deny 'tanking' at Basketball World Cup |agency=Australian Associated Press |date=4 September 2014 |access-date=11 August 2016 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/angola-storm-over-boomers-in-world-cup-shock/story-e6frg7mf-1227048650390 |title=Boomers accused of World Cup tank |date=5 September 2014 |access-date=13 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theroar.com.au/2014/09/05/the-boomers-loss-to-angola-tournament-strategy-or-un-australian-tanking/ |title=Boomers' loss to Angola: 'Tournament strategy' or 'un-Australian'? |date=4 September 2014 |access-date=11 August 2016}}</ref> On 26 November 2014, Australia was cleared of tanking by FIBA.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-27/boomers-cleared-of-tanking/5920938 |title=Boomers cleared of tanking by FIBA |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=26 November 2014 |access-date=11 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://au.sports.yahoo.com/basketball/news/article/-/25626101/australia-cleared-of-tanking-angola-match/ |title=Australia cleared of tanking Angola match – Yahoo!7 Sport |access-date=1 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206060033/https://au.sports.yahoo.com/basketball/news/article/-/25626101/australia-cleared-of-tanking-angola-match/ |archive-date=6 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportal.com.au/basketball/news/australia-cleared-of-tanking-at-fiba-basketball-world-cup/1qnp1qz5qztoz15ofkg4mm518i |title=Basketball &#124; SPORTAL |access-date=1 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204170144/http://www.sportal.com.au/basketball/news/australia-cleared-of-tanking-at-fiba-basketball-world-cup/1qnp1qz5qztoz15ofkg4mm518i |archive-date=4 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/basketball/story/_/id/11941823/fiba-clears-australia-tanking-world-cup |title=FIBA clears Aussies of tanking at World Cup |date=26 November 2014 |access-date=11 August 2016}}</ref>


Australia met World No. 7 [[Turkey national basketball team|Turkey]] in the knockout stage of the tournament. Australia suffered a 65–64 loss to Turkey, ending their World Cup campaign, meaning that for the 11th World Cup, Australia would return home empty handed.
Australia met World No. 7 [[Turkey national basketball team|Turkey]] in the knockout stage of the tournament. Australia suffered a 65–64 loss to Turkey, ending their World Cup campaign, meaning that for the 11th World Cup, Australia would return home empty handed.
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===2020s: Olympic breakthrough and more NBA players===
===2020s: Olympic breakthrough and more NBA players===
At the [[Tokyo 2020 Olympics]], led by veterans [[Patty Mills]], [[Joe Ingles]], and newcomer, [[Matisse Thybulle]], the Boomers managed to claim their first ever international medal, defeating a [[Luka Dončić]] led [[2020 Slovenia men's Olympic basketball team|Slovenia]], 107–93. Mills would score 42 points in the decisive match.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fiba.basketball/olympics/men/2020/game/0708/Slovenia-Australia |title=Slovenia v Australia boxscore – Tokyo 2020 Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament – 7 August – FIBA.basketball}}</ref> The Boomers went through the group stage undefeated, and Mills would be named to the tournament All-Star 5.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fiba.basketball/olympics/men/2020/news/five-different-nations-represented-in-the-all-star-five-of-the-men-s-olympic-tournament |title=Five nations represented in the All-Star Five of the Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament – Tokyo 2020 Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament – FIBA.basketball}}</ref> Additional Australian player were drafted into the NBA with first round draft picks including 2020 pick 18 [[Josh Green (basketball)|Josh Green]], 2021 pick 6 [[Josh Giddey]] and 2022 pick 8 [[Dyson Daniels]].
At the [[Tokyo 2020 Olympics]], led by veterans [[Patty Mills]] and [[Joe Ingles]], the Boomers managed to claim their first ever international medal, defeating a [[Luka Dončić]] led [[2020 Slovenia men's Olympic basketball team|Slovenia]], 107–93. Mills would score 42 points in the decisive match.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fiba.basketball/olympics/men/2020/game/0708/Slovenia-Australia |title=Slovenia v Australia boxscore – Tokyo 2020 Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament – 7 August – FIBA.basketball}}</ref> The Boomers went through the group stage undefeated, and Mills would be named to the tournament All-Star 5.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fiba.basketball/olympics/men/2020/news/five-different-nations-represented-in-the-all-star-five-of-the-men-s-olympic-tournament |title=Five nations represented in the All-Star Five of the Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament – Tokyo 2020 Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament – FIBA.basketball}}</ref> Additional Australian player were drafted into the NBA with first round draft picks including 2019 pick 20 [[Matisse Thybulle]], 2020 pick 18 [[Josh Green (basketball)|Josh Green]], 2021 pick 6 [[Josh Giddey]] and 2022 pick 8 [[Dyson Daniels]].


==Records==
==Records==
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The Australian National Basketball Team defeated the United States Team 98–94 in Melbourne, 24 August 2019, for the first time.
The Australian National Basketball Team defeated the United States Team 98–94 in Melbourne, 24 August 2019, for the first time.


==Tournament history==
==Competitive record==
''A red box around the year indicates tournaments played within Australia''
''A red box around the year indicates tournaments played within Australia''


Line 166: Line 169:
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|GER|1935}} [[Basketball at the 1936 Summer Olympics|1936]]
|{{flagicon|GER|1935}} [[Basketball at the 1936 Summer Olympics|1936]]
|colspan="6" rowspan=3|''did not participate''
|colspan="6" rowspan=3|''Did not participate''
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Basketball at the 1948 Summer Olympics|1948]]
|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Basketball at the 1948 Summer Olympics|1948]]
Line 180: Line 183:
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Basketball at the 1960 Summer Olympics|1960]]
|{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Basketball at the 1960 Summer Olympics|1960]]
| colspan="6"|''did not participate''
| colspan="6"|''Did not participate''
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Basketball at the 1964 Summer Olympics|1964]]
|{{flagicon|JPN|1870}} [[Basketball at the 1964 Summer Olympics|1964]]
|Playoff
|Playoff
|9th
|9th
Line 190: Line 193:
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Basketball at the 1968 Summer Olympics|1968]]
|{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Basketball at the 1968 Summer Olympics|1968]]
| colspan="6"|''did not participate''
| colspan="6"|''Did not participate''
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|GER}} [[Basketball at the 1972 Summer Olympics|1972]]
|{{flagicon|GER}} [[Basketball at the 1972 Summer Olympics|1972]]
Line 206: Line 209:
|5
|5
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|USSR}} [[Basketball at the 1980 Summer Olympics|1980]]
|{{flagicon|URS}} [[Basketball at the 1980 Summer Olympics|1980]]
|Quarter-finals
|Quarter-finals
|8th
|8th
Line 220: Line 223:
|4
|4
|- style="background:#9acdff;"
|- style="background:#9acdff;"
|{{flagicon|KOR}} [[Basketball at the 1988 Summer Olympics|1988]]
|{{flagicon|KOR|1984}} [[Basketball at the 1988 Summer Olympics|1988]]
|Semi-finals
|Semi-finals
|4th
|4th
Line 256: Line 259:
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2008]]
|{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2008]]
||Quarter-finals
|Quarter-finals

|7th
|7th
|6
|6
Line 264: Line 266:
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Basketball at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2012]]
|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Basketball at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2012]]
||Quarter-finals
|Quarter-finals
|7th
|7th
|6
|6
Line 285: Line 287:
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Basketball at the 2024 Summer Olympics|2024]]
|{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Basketball at the 2024 Summer Olympics|2024]]
|Quarter-finals
|colspan=6|''Qualified''
|6th
|4
|1
|3
|-
|-
!Total!!0 title!!16/21!!111!!57!!54
!Total!!0 Titles!!16/21!!115!!58!!57
|}
|}


Line 305: Line 311:
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|ARG}} [[1950 FIBA World Championship|1950]]
|{{flagicon|ARG}} [[1950 FIBA World Championship|1950]]
|colspan="6" rowspan=5|''did not participate''
|colspan="6" rowspan=5|''Did not participate''
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|BRA}} [[1954 FIBA World Championship|1954]]
|{{flagicon|BRA|1889}} [[1954 FIBA World Championship|1954]]
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|CHL}} [[1959 FIBA World Championship|1959]]
|{{flagicon|CHI}} [[1959 FIBA World Championship|1959]]
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|BRA}} [[1963 FIBA World Championship|1963]]
|{{flagicon|BRA|1960}} [[1963 FIBA World Championship|1963]]
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|URU}} [[1967 FIBA World Championship|1967]]
|{{flagicon|URU}} [[1967 FIBA World Championship|1967]]
Line 322: Line 328:
|7
|7
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|PUR}} [[1974 FIBA World Championship|1974]]
|{{flagicon|PUR|1952}} [[1974 FIBA World Championship|1974]]
|Playoff
|Playoff
|12th
|12th
Line 329: Line 335:
|5
|5
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|PHI}} [[1978 FIBA World Championship|1978]]
|{{flagicon|PHI|1936}} [[1978 FIBA World Championship|1978]]
|Quarter-finals
|Quarter-finals
|7th
|7th
Line 372: Line 378:
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[2002 FIBA World Championship|2002]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[2002 FIBA World Championship|2002]]
| colspan="6"|''did not qualify''
| colspan="6"|''Did not qualify''
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|JPN}} [[2006 FIBA World Championship|2006]]
|{{flagicon|JPN}} [[2006 FIBA World Championship|2006]]
Line 410: Line 416:
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|QAT}} [[2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup|2027]]
|{{flagicon|QAT}} [[2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup|2027]]
|colspan=5|''Future event''
|colspan=5|''To be determined''
|-
|-
!Total!!0 Titles!!13/20!!98!!43!!55
!Total!!0 Titles!!13/19!!93!!44!!49
|}
|}


Line 428: Line 434:
|-
|-
|[[1960 ABC Championship|1960]]–[[2015 FIBA Asia Championship|2015]]
|[[1960 ABC Championship|1960]]–[[2015 FIBA Asia Championship|2015]]
|colspan=5|''did not participate''
|colspan=5|''Not a FIBA Asia member''
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|{{flagicon|LBN}} [[2017 FIBA Asia Cup|2017]]
|{{flagicon|LBN}} [[2017 FIBA Asia Cup|2017]]
| '''Champions''' || '''1st''' || '''6''' || '''6''' || '''0'''
| '''Champions''' || '''1st''' || '''6''' || '''6''' || '''0'''
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|{{flagicon|INA}} [[2022 FIBA Asia Cup|2022]]
|{{flagicon|IDN}} [[2022 FIBA Asia Cup|2022]]
| '''Champions''' || '''1st''' || '''6''' || '''6''' || '''0'''
| '''Champions''' || '''1st''' || '''6''' || '''6''' || '''0'''
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|KSA}} [[2025 FIBA Asia Cup|2025]]
!Total!!2 Titles!!2/2!!12!!12!!0
|colspan=5|''Qualified''
|-
!Total!!2 Titles!!3/3!!12!!12!!0
|}
|}


Line 451: Line 460:
!{{Tooltip|L|Lost}}
!{{Tooltip|L|Lost}}
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[Oceania Championship 1971|1971]]
|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[1971 FIBA Oceania Championship|1971]]
|'''Champions'''
|'''Champions'''
|'''1st'''
|'''1st'''
Line 458: Line 467:
|'''0'''
|'''0'''
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1975|1975]]
|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[1975 FIBA Oceania Championship|1975]]
|'''Champions'''
|'''Champions'''
|'''1st'''
|'''1st'''
Line 465: Line 474:
|'''0'''
|'''0'''
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1978|1978]]
|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[1978 FIBA Oceania Championship|1978]]
|'''Champions'''
|'''Champions'''
|'''1st'''
|'''1st'''
Line 472: Line 481:
|'''1'''
|'''1'''
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1979|1979]]
|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[1979 FIBA Oceania Championship|1979]]
|'''Champions'''
|'''Champions'''
|'''1st'''
|'''1st'''
Line 479: Line 488:
|'''0'''
|'''0'''
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1981|1981]]
|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[1981 FIBA Oceania Championship|1981]]
|'''Champions'''
|'''Champions'''
|'''1st'''
|'''1st'''
Line 486: Line 495:
|'''0'''
|'''0'''
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1983|1983]]
|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[1983 FIBA Oceania Championship|1983]]
|'''Champions'''
|'''Champions'''
|'''1st'''
|'''1st'''
Line 493: Line 502:
|'''0'''
|'''0'''
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1985|1985]]
|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[1985 FIBA Oceania Championship|1985]]
|'''Champions'''
|'''Champions'''
|'''1st'''
|'''1st'''
Line 500: Line 509:
|'''0'''
|'''0'''
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1987|1987]]
|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[1987 FIBA Oceania Championship|1987]]
|'''Champions'''
|'''Champions'''
|'''1st'''
|'''1st'''
Line 507: Line 516:
|'''0'''
|'''0'''
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1989|1989]]
|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[1989 FIBA Oceania Championship|1989]]
|'''Champions'''
|'''Champions'''
|'''1st'''
|'''1st'''
Line 514: Line 523:
|'''0'''
|'''0'''
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1991|1991]]
|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[1991 FIBA Oceania Championship|1991]]
|'''Champions'''
|'''Champions'''
|'''1st'''
|'''1st'''
Line 521: Line 530:
|'''0'''
|'''0'''
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1993|1993]]
|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[1993 FIBA Oceania Championship|1993]]
|'''Champions'''
|'''Champions'''
|'''1st'''
|'''1st'''
Line 528: Line 537:
|'''0'''
|'''0'''
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1995|1995]]
|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[1995 FIBA Oceania Championship|1995]]
|'''Champions'''
|'''Champions'''
|'''1st'''
|'''1st'''
Line 535: Line 544:
|'''0'''
|'''0'''
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1997|1997]]
|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[1997 FIBA Oceania Championship|1997]]
|'''Champions'''
|'''Champions'''
|'''1st'''
|'''1st'''
Line 542: Line 551:
|'''0'''
|'''0'''
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[FIBA Oceania Championship 1999|1999]]
|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[1999 FIBA Oceania Championship|1999]]
| colspan="6"|''did not participate''
| colspan="6"|''Did not participate''
|- style="background:silver;"
|- style="background:silver;"
|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[FIBA Oceania Championship 2001|2001]]
|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[2001 FIBA Oceania Championship|2001]]
|Runner-up
|Runner-up
|2nd
|2nd
Line 552: Line 561:
|2
|2
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[FIBA Oceania Championship 2003|2003]]
|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[2003 FIBA Oceania Championship|2003]]
|'''Champions'''
|'''Champions'''
|'''1st'''
|'''1st'''
Line 559: Line 568:
|'''0'''
|'''0'''
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[FIBA Oceania Championship 2005|2005]]
|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[2005 FIBA Oceania Championship|2005]]
|'''Champions'''
|'''Champions'''
|'''1st'''
|'''1st'''
Line 566: Line 575:
|'''0'''
|'''0'''
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[FIBA Oceania Championship 2007|2007]]
|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[2007 FIBA Oceania Championship|2007]]
|'''Champions'''
|'''Champions'''
|'''1st'''
|'''1st'''
Line 573: Line 582:
|'''1'''
|'''1'''
|- style="background:silver;"
|- style="background:silver;"
|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|AUS}} / {{flagicon|NZL}} [[FIBA Oceania Championship 2009|2009]]
|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|AUS}} {{flagicon|NZL}} [[2009 FIBA Oceania Championship|2009]]
|Runner-up
|Runner-up
|2nd
|2nd
Line 587: Line 596:
|'''0'''
|'''0'''
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|NZL}} / {{flagicon|AUS}} [[2013 FIBA Oceania Championship|2013]]
|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|NZL}} {{flagicon|AUS}} [[2013 FIBA Oceania Championship|2013]]
|'''Champions'''
|'''Champions'''
|'''1st'''
|'''1st'''
Line 594: Line 603:
|'''0'''
|'''0'''
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|AUS}} / {{flagicon|NZL}} [[2015 FIBA Oceania Championship|2015]]
|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|AUS}} {{flagicon|NZL}} [[2015 FIBA Oceania Championship|2015]]
|'''Champions'''
|'''Champions'''
|'''1st'''
|'''1st'''
Line 601: Line 610:
|'''0'''
|'''0'''
|-
|-
!Total!!19 Titles!!20/21!!55!!48!!5
!Total!!19 Titles!!21/22!!56!!51!!5
|}
|}


Line 616: Line 625:
!{{Tooltip|L|Lost}}
!{{Tooltip|L|Lost}}
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|{{flagicon|Hong Kong}} [[FIBA Diamond Ball 2000|2000]]
|{{flagicon|Hong Kong}} [[2000 FIBA Diamond Ball|2000]]
|'''Champions'''
|'''Champions'''
|'''1st'''
|'''1st'''
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|'''0'''
|'''0'''
|- bgcolor=
|- bgcolor=
|{{flagicon|Serbia and Montenegro}} [[FIBA Diamond Ball 2004|2004]]
|{{flagicon|Serbia and Montenegro}} [[2004 FIBA Diamond Ball|2004]]
|Playoff
|Playoff
|5th
|5th
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|2
|2
|- style="background:silver;"
|- style="background:silver;"
|{{flagicon|China}} [[FIBA Diamond Ball 2008|2008]]
|{{flagicon|China}} [[2008 FIBA Diamond Ball|2008]]
|Runner-up
|Runner-up
|2nd
|2nd
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|2
|2
|1
|1
|-
|{{flagicon|GBR}} [[FIBA Diamond Ball 2012|2012]]
|colspan=5|''Cancelled''
|-
|-
!Total!!1 Title!!3/3!!9!!6!!3
!Total!!1 Title!!3/3!!9!!6!!3
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
|-
!colspan=10|[[Stanković Cup|FIBA Stanković Cup record]]
!colspan=10|[[FIBA Stanković Continental Champions' Cup|FIBA Stanković Cup record]]
|-
|-
!Year
!Year
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!{{Tooltip|L|Lost}}
!{{Tooltip|L|Lost}}
|- style="background:#c96;"
|- style="background:#c96;"
|{{flagicon|China}} [[2005 Stanković Continental Champions' Cup|2005]]
|{{flagicon|China}} [[2005 FIBA Stanković Continental Champions' Cup|2005]]
|Third place
|Third place
|3rd
|3rd
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|2
|2
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|China}} [[2006 Stanković Continental Champions' Cup|2006]]
|{{flagicon|China}} [[2006 FIBA Stanković Continental Champions' Cup|2006]]
|Playoff
|Playoff
|6th
|6th
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|3
|3
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|China}} [[2007 Stanković Continental Champions' Cup|2007]]
|{{flagicon|China}} [[2007 FIBA Stanković Continental Champions' Cup|2007]]
| colspan="6"|''did not participate''
| colspan="6" rowspan="2"|''Did not participate''
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|China}} [[2008 Stanković Continental Champions' Cup|2008]]
|{{flagicon|China}} [[2008 FIBA Stanković Continental Champions' Cup|2008]]
| colspan="6"|''did not participate''
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|{{flagicon|China}} [[2009 Stanković Continental Champions' Cup|2009]]
|{{flagicon|China}} [[2009 FIBA Stanković Continental Champions' Cup|2009]]
|'''Champions'''
|'''Champions'''
|'''1st'''
|'''1st'''
Line 682: Line 687:
|'''0'''
|'''0'''
|- style="background:silver;"
|- style="background:silver;"
|{{flagicon|China}} [[2010 Stanković Continental Champions' Cup|2010]]
|{{flagicon|China}} [[2010 FIBA Stanković Continental Champions' Cup|2010]]
|Runner-up
|Runner-up
|2nd
|2nd
Line 689: Line 694:
|1
|1
|- style="background:silver;"
|- style="background:silver;"
|{{flagicon|China}} [[2011 Stanković Continental Champions' Cup|2011]]
|{{flagicon|China}} [[2011 FIBA Stanković Continental Champions' Cup|2011]]
|Runner-up
|Runner-up
|2nd
|2nd
Line 696: Line 701:
|2
|2
|- style="background:silver;"
|- style="background:silver;"
|{{flagicon|China}} [[2012 Stanković Continental Champions' Cup|2012]]
|{{flagicon|China}} [[2012 FIBA Stanković Continental Champions' Cup|2012]]
|Runner-up
|Runner-up
|2nd
|2nd
Line 725: Line 730:
|'''0'''
|'''0'''
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Basketball at the 2018 Commonwealth Games|2018]]
|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Basketball at the 2018 Commonwealth Games|2018]]
|'''Champions'''
|'''Champions'''
|'''1st'''
|'''1st'''
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==Team==
==Team==
===Current roster===
===Current roster===
Roster for the [[Basketball at the 2024 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2024 Summer Olympics]].
Roster for the [[2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.australia.basketball/news/3647053/boomers-locked-in-for-fiba-world-cup|title=Boomers Locked In For FIBA World Cup|date=23 August 2023|website=australia.basketball|access-date=23 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://reports.worldcup.basketball/FIBA%20Basketball%20World%20Cup%202023/Team%20Rosters/Roster_AUS.PDF|title=Team roster: Australia|date=25 August 2023|publisher=FIBA}}</ref>


{{#section:Basketball at the 2024 Summer Olympics – Men's team rosters|AUS}}
{{FIBA roster header
|team=Australia men's national basketball team – 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup
| color1 = #208c6a| bg1 = #ffd700| color2 = #ffd700| bg2 = #208c6a}}
<!-- list of players -->
{{FIBA player | df=y | pos = PG | num = 1 | name = Dyson Daniels | year = 2003 | month = 3 | date = 17 | m = 2.03 | club = New Orleans Pelicans | compyear = 2023 | compmonth = 8 | compdate = 25 | nat = USA }}
{{FIBA player | df=y | pos = SF | num = 2 | name = Matisse Thybulle | year = 1997 | month = 3 | date = 4 | m = 1.96 | club = Portland Trail Blazers | compyear = 2023 | compmonth = 8 | compdate = 25 | nat = USA }}
{{FIBA player | df=y | pos = G | num = 3 | name = Josh Giddey | year = 2002 | month = 10 | date = 10| m = 2.03 | club = Oklahoma City Thunder | compyear = 2023 | compmonth = 8 | compdate = 25 | nat = USA }}
{{FIBA player | df=y | pos = SG | num = 4 | name = Chris Goulding | year = 1988 | month = 10 | date = 24 | m = 1.92 | club = Melbourne United | compyear = 2023 | compmonth = 8 | compdate = 25 | nat = AUS }}
{{FIBA player | df=y | pos = G | num = 5 | name = Patty Mills | year = 1988 | month = 8 | date = 11 | m = 1.83 | club = Atlanta Hawks | compyear = 2023 | compmonth = 8 | compdate = 25 | nat = USA | note = C }}
{{FIBA player | df=y | pos = SF | num = 6 | name = Josh Green |dab=basketball | year = 2000 | month = 11 | date = 16 | m = 2.01 | club = Dallas Mavericks | compyear = 2023 | compmonth = 8 | compdate = 25 | nat = USA }}
{{FIBA player | df=y | pos = SF | num = 7 | name = Joe Ingles | year = 1987 | month = 10 | date = 2 | m = 2.06 | club = Orlando Magic | compyear = 2023 | compmonth = 8 | compdate = 25 | nat = USA }}
{{FIBA player | df=y | pos = F | num = 9 | name = Xavier Cooks | year = 1995 | month = 8 | date = 19 | m = 2.03 | club = Washington Wizards | compyear = 2023 | compmonth = 8 | compdate = 25 | nat = USA }}
{{FIBA player | df=y | pos = PG | num = 11 | name = Dante Exum | year = 1995 | month = 7 | date = 13 | m = 1.96 | club = Dallas Mavericks | compyear = 2023 | compmonth = 8 | compdate = 25 | nat = USA }}
{{FIBA player | df=y | pos = SF | num = 14 | name = Jack White | dab = basketball | year = 1997 | month = 8 | date = 5 | m = 2.00 | club = Oklahoma City Thunder | compyear = 2023 | compmonth = 8 | compdate = 25 | nat = USA }}
{{FIBA player | df=y | pos = PF | num = 15 | name = Nick Kay | year = 1992 | month = 8 | date = 3 | m = 2.06 | club = Shimane Susanoo Magic | compyear = 2023 | compmonth = 8 | compdate = 25 | nat = JPN }}
{{FIBA player | df=y | pos = C | num = 26 | name = Duop Reath | year = 1996 | month = 6 | date = 26 | m = 2.11 | clublink = [[Al Riyadi Club Beirut|Al Riyadi]] | compyear = 2023 | compmonth = 8 | compdate = 25 | nat = LBN }}
<!-- end list of players -->
{{FIBA roster footer
| head_coach =
* {{Flagicon|USA}} [[Brian Goorjian]]
| asst_coach =
* {{Flagicon|AUS}} [[Adam Caporn]]
* {{Flagicon|AUS}} [[Matthew Nielsen]]
* {{Flagicon|AUS}} [[David Patrick (basketball)|David Patrick]]
| otherlegend =
* '''(C)''' Team captain
* '''Club''' – describes last<br />club before the tournament
* '''Age''' – describes age<br />on 25 August 2023
}}


===Notable players===
===Notable players===
Line 829: Line 806:
* [[Luke Schenscher]]
* [[Luke Schenscher]]
* [[Larry Sengstock]]
* [[Larry Sengstock]]
* [[Ben Simmons]]
* [[Jason Smith (Australian basketball player)|Jason Smith]]
* [[Jason Smith (Australian basketball player)|Jason Smith]]
* [[Phil Smyth]]
* [[Phil Smyth]]
Line 834: Line 812:
* [[Andrew Vlahov]]
* [[Andrew Vlahov]]
* [[Bill Wyatt]]
* [[Bill Wyatt]]
}}Andris Blicavs
}}


===Head coach position===
===Head coach position===
Line 865: Line 843:
*{{official website}}
*{{official website}}
*[http://www.fiba.basketball/federation/Australia FIBA profile]
*[http://www.fiba.basketball/federation/Australia FIBA profile]
*[http://www.australiabasket.com/Australia/basketball-National-Team.asp AustraliaBasket.com – Australia Men Current Squad]
*[https://www.australiabasket.com/Australia/basketball-National-Team.aspx AustraliaBasket.com – Australia Men Current Squad]
*[https://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/p/rpp//tid/239/_//teams.html Australia Basketball Records] at FIBA Archive
*[https://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/p/rpp//tid/239/_//teams.html Australia Basketball Records] at FIBA Archive
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cac9NJ1Tbc Australia Tournament Highlights – 2015 FIBA Oceania Championship] Youtube.com video
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cac9NJ1Tbc Australia Tournament Highlights – 2015 FIBA Oceania Championship] Youtube.com video

Latest revision as of 09:29, 24 November 2024

Australia
FIBA ranking7 Steady (26 November 2024)[1]
Joined FIBA1947
FIBA zoneFIBA Asia
National federationBasketball Australia
CoachBrian Goorjian
Nickname(s)Boomers
Olympic Games
Appearances16
MedalsBronze Bronze: (2020)
FIBA World Cup
Appearances13
MedalsNone
FIBA Asia Cup
Appearances2
MedalsGold Gold: (2017, 2022)
FIBA Oceania Championship
Appearances21
MedalsGold Gold: (1971, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2013, 2015)
Silver Silver: (2001, 2009)
Home jersey
Team colours
Home
Away jersey
Team colours
Away
First international
 Brazil 89–66 Australia 
(Melbourne, Australia; 24 November 1956)
Biggest win
 Australia 136–31 Tahiti 
(Timaru, New Zealand; 31 August 1987)
Biggest defeat
 United States 113–73 Australia 
(Saitama, Japan; 27 August 2006)

The Australia men's national basketball team, nicknamed the Boomers after the slang term for a male kangaroo, represents Australia in international basketball competition.[2]

Since the late 1980s, Australia has placed among the world elite teams, as the Boomers have reached the semi-finals at both Summer Olympic Games and FIBA World Cup on many occasions. Originally a member of the FIBA Oceania region, Australia nowadays competes at the FIBA Asia Cup where the Boomers were the dominant team at their first appearance. The FIBA Oceania Championship mostly consisted of a three-match competition against the other regional power, the New Zealand Tall Blacks. Before the formation of the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1979, Boomers players were selected from state leagues around the country, with Victoria, South Australia, and to a lesser extent New South Wales the dominant states. After the formation of the NBL, players began to be selected almost exclusively from that competition during the 1980s and 1990s.

Occasionally players were selected from outside the NBL. Mark Bradtke made his Boomers debut in 1987 while attending the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) before he entered the NBL. Luc Longley made his debut in 1988 while playing college basketball in the United States. Other Australian players enter the Euroleague and the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the U.S. The Boomers's roster for the 2014 World Cup included five NBA players: Cameron Bairstow with the Chicago Bulls, Aron Baynes with the San Antonio Spurs, Matthew Dellavedova with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Dante Exum and Joe Ingles with the Utah Jazz. Three other players who were ruled out of the World Cup due to injury also played or would later play in the NBA, namely Andrew Bogut, Ben Simmons and Patty Mills.

Several players on youth national teams are student athletes at the AIS or in the US college basketball system. Some players (e.g. Longley) made the senior national team while at US schools. By the early 21st century, almost half of the squad played outside Australia. For the 2012 London Olympic Games, only two members of the Australian squad were based in the country – Peter Crawford and Adam Gibson, with the latter being the only Australia-based member of the 2014 World Cup squad.

Australia has participated in the Olympic men's basketball tournaments 15 times. The Boomers won a bronze medal against Slovenia in the 2020 Olympic Games, making Australia the first team from outside the Americas and European regions to ever win a medal at the event. Australia has also participated in 13 FIBA World Cups without winning a medal, making Australia the nation with the second-most appearances at the tournament without winning a medal, behind Puerto Rico (15).

History

[edit]

Pre-1970s

[edit]

Australia debuted on the international stage at the 1956 Summer Olympic Games held in Melbourne. Australia did not fare well in the competition, as they defeated only two sides (Singapore and Thailand), finishing 12th. The seeds were sown for Australia to become a regular team in international events.[3]

After not qualifying for the 1960 Summer Olympic Games in Rome, Italy, Australia returned to compete at the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games. The Australians improved on their position in Melbourne, to be ranked ninth at the completion of the games.[3] After failing in their bid to qualify for the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, the Australians were left in international isolation.[citation needed]

1970–80s

[edit]

They did not play again in a major international tournament until 1970, when the team qualified for the FIBA World Championship for the first time. The team finished in 12th place, with their sole victory coming over the United Arab Republic.[3]

At the 1972 Munich Olympic Games Australia changed its guards. Lindsay Gaze made his coaching debut, after he had played at the 1964 Summer Olympics.[4] Australia again finished ninth, but close defeats to Czechoslovakia and Spain left the team just a few baskets away from advancing to the second round. Eddie Palubinskas was the holder of the second highest scoring average of the tournament.[3]

At the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, Eddie Palubinskas finished as the top overall scorer, and set three Olympic scoring records, including the most points scored in a single Olympics to that time, with 269 points. The Boomers defeated Mexico, 120–117, in an overtime game, and defeated Japan, 117–79, as they moved to the second round of the tournament for the first time, on their way to an eighth-place finish.[3]

In 1978, the Boomers headed to the Philippines for the 1978 FIBA World Championship. Australia played their most successful tournament to that time, defeating Czechoslovakia, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines (twice), and playing eventual gold medallist Yugoslavia, losing 105–101. The Boomers advanced to the semi-final round, and placed seventh.[3]

In the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games, the Boomers played their best Olympic tournament to that date, equalling their 1976 finish of eighth place. The Boomers defeated eventual silver medallist Italy, 84–77, in the preliminary round, but due to a three-way tie with Italy and Cuba, the team failed to advance to the final round, despite 5 wins and 2 losses.

Two years later, the 1982 FIBA World Championship was held in Colombia. The Australians finished in fifth place.

The Boomers were captained at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games by Phil Smyth, and introduced coach Lindsay Gaze’s 19-year-old son, Andrew Gaze, to the world stage. Australia advanced to the second round, following victories over Brazil and West Germany. A loss to Italy, and a 16-point win over Egypt, left the Boomers in a must-win situation against Spain, to advance to the medal round. Spain went up big early in the first half, but the Boomers fought back, ultimately losing by a score of 101–93, ending their medal hopes with an Olympic best seventh-place finish.

Following the 1984 Olympics, Adrian Hurley took over as team coach from Lindsay Gaze.

The 1986 FIBA World Championship was a bit disappointing for Australia. Losses to Uruguay, Angola, and the Soviet Union during group play kept the Boomers from advancing, and the team finished 17th. Due to a FIBA rule allowing one naturalised player per squad at the World Championship, American born point guard Cal Bruton made his Boomers debut at the age of 32.

In 1987, the Boomers faced a home series against the Soviet Union (known as the Wang Superchallenge) and although they lost all 6 games, the team, with all players drawn from the NBL other than Australian Institute of Sport attendee, 6'10" (208 cm) centre / power forward Mark Bradtke who was making his debut for the Boomers as a 17 year old (Bradtke would make his NBL debut in 1988 with the Adelaide 36ers).[2]

Motivated by the 1986 FIBA World Championship, Australia showed up to the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games with quite possibly its most talented roster to that date. Captained by Phil Smyth, the team included Andrew Gaze, Damian Keogh, Darryl Pearce, Ray Borner, and future Chicago Bulls triple NBA Championship winning centre, 7'2" (218 cm) Luc Longley who was attending the University of New Mexico. The Boomers breezed through the first round, losing only to gold medallist Soviet Union and silver medallist Yugoslavia. Finishing third place in their group, Australia advanced to the quarter-finals, where they defeated Spain in a closely fought game, by a score of 77–74, sending the Boomers to their first ever semi-finals. They were beaten by Yugoslavia in the semi-final, and then lost to the United States (including future Hall of Fame player David Robinson), who ended Australia’s dream run with a 78–49 victory in the bronze-medal playoff. Despite the disappointing loss, the Boomers’ fourth-place finish was their best ever result at an Olympic Games (or World Championship) and solidified their status as a rising team.

1990s: Gaze, Heal and Longley

[edit]

Australia flew off to Buenos Aires for the 1990 FIBA World Championship. Led by Andrew Gaze’s 24.3 points per game, fourth most in the tournament, the team defeated China, Brazil and Argentina (twice) on their way to a respectable seventh-place finish.

At the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, the Boomers looked to prove their fourth-place run at Seoul was no fluke. In the first Summer Olympic Games since the Soviet Union’s dissolution, and the first that FIBA allowed professional basketball players to play in, Australia played to a respectable 4–4 record and sixth place. The 1992 Olympics saw the return of NBA center Luc Longley for the Boomers.

Prior to the 1992 Olympics, the Boomers played in a 3-game home series against a visiting "All-Star" team headlined by NBA and NCAA college basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Boomers won the series 2–1, including attracting a then Australian basketball record 15,000 fans to the National Tennis Centre in Melbourne. The Boomers also played in the 1992 NBL All-Star Game at the AIS Arena in Canberra against the "USA Stars" (made up of import players in the NBL) which was played on 4 July and was promoted as the "Independence Day Challenge". The Boomers won the game 149–132 with Andrew Gaze scoring 43 points.[5]

At the 1994 FIBA World Championship at Toronto, Andrew Gaze starred for the Boomers, leading the tournament with an average of 23.9 points per game. In victories over Puerto Rico, South Korea, and Cuba, Gaze scored 34, 31, and 30 points, respectively. Australia finished with a 5–3 record, and finished the tournament in fifth place. This was Phil Smyth’s last World Championship appearance as a player

Smyth, the teams long-time captain and point guard would play one last time for the Boomers in March 1995 in Game 4 of a 5-game series against the touring Magic Johnson All-Stars in front of a packed house (12,000) at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. The Boomers lost in both Adelaide and Brisbane and were ultimately swept 5–0 by the All-Stars (who included former NBA stars Magic Johnson and Mark Aguirre), they pushed the visitors all the way in Game 3 at the National Tennis Centre, while Games 4 (Sydney) and 5 (Perth Entertainment Centre) went into overtime. The series however saw the Boomers without 4 of their usual starting 5 with only Andrew Vlahov who captained the side playing all 5 games. Missing for the Boomers were Andrew Gaze (playing in Greece), Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke and Luc Longley who was playing for the Chicago Bulls.

The 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games were another solid showing for Australia. Led by Andrew Gaze, and featuring Shane Heal, the team rolled through the early competition, losing only to eventual silver medallist Yugoslavia, and scoring over 100 points in every other preliminary game. In the quarterfinals, the Boomers played a hard fought game against Croatia. The game came down to the wire, as forward Tony Ronaldson hit a 3-pointer to win the game, and advance Australia to the semi-finals. There they met the United States, who were powered by a roster of professional NBA players, and the Boomers were defeated 101–73. Lithuania would defeat Australia in the bronze medal game, and the Boomers equalled their 1988 fourth-place finish.

Just prior to the 1996 Olympics, the Boomers played the USA in a warm up game. The game, played at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, was won 118–77 by the USA, though Heal topped all scorers with 28 points including hitting 8 of 12 three pointers. Heal had a running battle with NBA superstar Charles Barkley during the game with the two almost coming to blows at one point, though they hugged in mutual respect on-court after the game.[6]

Following their exciting run at Atlanta, the Boomers showed up in Greece, for the 1998 FIBA World Championship with high hopes. Shane Heal and Andrew Gaze both finished among the top five scorers, with averages of 17.0 and 16.9 points per game, respectively; but a loss to the United States knocked Australia out of medal contention. The Boomers finished the tournament respectably with wins over Canada and Brazil, and walked away with ninth place.

2000s: Sydney Olympics, Commonwealth Games and Bogut

[edit]
Andrew Bogut

The 2000 Summer Olympic Games projected to be an extremely exciting affair for the Boomers, as they played as host in Sydney. Despite losses in both of their first two games, Australia recovered nicely, and won their next four games over Russia, Angola, and Spain, to propel them into the quarter-finals, where they defeated Italy. But Australia’s first basketball medal was not to be, as France won the semi-final match, and Lithuania captured the bronze medal game. Although their goal of medalling was not achieved, the Boomers gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about, on their way to a fourth-place finish.

After failing to qualify for the 2002 FIBA World Championship, the Boomers came into the 2004 Athens Olympic Games hungry for victory. Captained by Shane Heal, and featuring future NBA Draft first pick Andrew Bogut in his international debut, Australia fought hard on their way to a ninth-place finish.

In early 2006, Australia entered the first ever Commonwealth Games basketball competition in their home city of Melbourne and went through the tournament undefeated to claim the gold medal. Later in 2006 at the FIBA World Championship in Japan, Australia was led in scoring by Andrew Bogut, C.J. Bruton, and Jason Smith. Despite their efforts, the Boomers failed to qualify for the playoff rounds, and finished tied for ninth place.

The Boomers entered the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games with one of their more talented rosters to date, which included Andrew Bogut, C.J. Bruton, Captain Matthew Nielsen, and Patty Mills, in his international debut. Despite his youth, Mills had a hot hand, scoring over 20 points on several occasions, and leading the team with an average of 14.2 points per game. Australia made the quarter-finals, but gold medallists United States put the Boomers away late in the game, ending their run with a seventh-place finish.

2010s: Additional NBA players

[edit]
Team Australia at the 2014 FIBA World Cup before beating Lithuania 82–75.

The Boomers qualified for the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey and placed 10th overall. In 2011, Melbourne-born number one NBA draft pick Kyrie Irving considered declaring his international allegiance to Australia in order to compete in the 2012 Olympics, but eventually opted to wait for international selection for the United States.[7]

Despite Irving declining the offer to represent his country of birth, the Boomers entered the 2012 London Olympic Games with arguably their most talented roster since 2000, though they were missing their star centre Andrew Bogut, who was out with a broken ankle. Australia made the quarter-finals with a 3–2 win–loss record, but gold medallists United States put the Boomers away late in the game, ending their run with a seventh-place finish again.

Following the London Olympics, Brett Brown announced his decision to step down as Boomers head coach, citing his desire to spend more time with his family in the United States. As of December 2012, Basketball Australia was yet to announce his replacement, although one of his assistants, dual National Basketball League championship winning coach with the New Zealand Breakers, Andrej Lemanis, was one of the favourites to win the job.[8]

On 24 April 2013, Lemanis was announced as the new head coach of the Boomers.[9][10][11]

By winning the 2013 FIBA Oceania Championship, Australia qualified for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain. Australia was drawn into Group D, alongside Lithuania, Slovenia, Angola, Mexico, and South Korea. After suffering an opening round 90–80 loss to Slovenia, Australia bounced back, stringing together three consecutive wins over South Korea, Lithuania and Mexico, the first time in 16 years that Australia had won 3 consecutive matches at the FIBA World Cup.[12][13] However, in their next match Australia suffered a 91–83 loss to Angola, which came despite leading by 15 points in the middle of the third quarter. This result, combined with Lithuania's 67–64 win over Slovenia, meant that Australia finished third in their group, qualifying for the knockout stage of the tournament.

Australia's top-five NBA draft picks

Because Australia would finish third by losing, and that finishing third would benefit Australia more than finishing second, combined with the absences of fit key players Aron Baynes and Joe Ingles led to allegations that Australia deliberately lost their game against Angola in order to finish third in their group, and as a result, avoid the United States until the semi-finals, with Slovenian basketballer Goran Dragić posting "Basketball is a beautiful sport, there is no room for fixing the game like today Australia vs Angola!! @FIBA should do something about that!" on Twitter. However, these claims were denied by Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis.[14][15][16][17][18][19][20] On 26 November 2014, Australia was cleared of tanking by FIBA.[21][22][23][24]

Australia met World No. 7 Turkey in the knockout stage of the tournament. Australia suffered a 65–64 loss to Turkey, ending their World Cup campaign, meaning that for the 11th World Cup, Australia would return home empty handed.

Leading into the 2016 Rio Olympics, Australia saw a surge in locals being drafted into the NBA. Along with former number 1 NBA draft pick Andrew Bogut, Dante Exum was taken with the fifth pick in the 2014 NBA draft and Ben Simmons was selected with the first pick in the 2016 NBA draft, adding to already established Australian NBA players in Patty Mills, Matthew Dellavedova, Joe Ingles and Aron Baynes. Forward Thon Maker was also drafted with the 10th pick in the 2016 NBA draft. Despite Exum, Maker and Simmons electing not to compete in the 2016 Olympics, the Australians equaled their best ever performance by reaching the semifinals and losing their bronze medal playoff with Spain by one point.

2017: Move into Asian basketball

[edit]

In August 2015, FIBA announced Australia would be joining the Asian basketball zone for future tournaments, starting with the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup.[25] The Boomers were victorious in their inaugural Asia Cup appearance[26] and turned their attention to 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifiers against Asian opposition. In July 2018, during the 3rd quarter of their game against the Philippines for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification (Asia), Filipino player Roger Pogoy hit Chris Goulding with a hard foul causing teammate Daniel Kickert to retaliate with an elbow strike which sparked a full-scale brawl between the Australians and the Filipinos.[27] Suspensions and fines were handed off to those involved including players from both teams, Filipino coaches and the referees for failing to control the game.[28] After qualifying for the 2019 FIBA World Cup, Australia reached the semi-finals for the first time and finished the tournament in fourth place.[29]

2020s: Olympic breakthrough and more NBA players

[edit]

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, led by veterans Patty Mills and Joe Ingles, the Boomers managed to claim their first ever international medal, defeating a Luka Dončić led Slovenia, 107–93. Mills would score 42 points in the decisive match.[30] The Boomers went through the group stage undefeated, and Mills would be named to the tournament All-Star 5.[31] Additional Australian player were drafted into the NBA with first round draft picks including 2019 pick 20 Matisse Thybulle, 2020 pick 18 Josh Green, 2021 pick 6 Josh Giddey and 2022 pick 8 Dyson Daniels.

Records

[edit]

Andrew Gaze holds the record for most appearances with the Boomers at 297 international games.[32] Gaze also holds the record for the most points scored by a Boomer.

The Australian National Basketball Team defeated the United States Team 98–94 in Melbourne, 24 August 2019, for the first time.

Competitive record

[edit]

A red box around the year indicates tournaments played within Australia

Olympic Games

[edit]
Summer Olympic Games record
Year Round Position Pld W L
Germany 1936 Did not participate
United Kingdom 1948
Finland 1952
Australia 1956 Playoff 12th 7 2 5
Italy 1960 Did not participate
Japan 1964 Playoff 9th 9 4 5
Mexico 1968 Did not participate
Germany 1972 Playoff 9th 9 5 4
Canada 1976 Quarter-finals 8th 7 2 5
Soviet Union 1980 Quarter-finals 8th 7 5 2
United States 1984 Quarter-finals 7th 8 4 4
South Korea 1988 Semi-finals 4th 8 4 4
Spain 1992 Quarter-finals 6th 8 4 4
United States 1996 Semi-finals 4th 8 5 3
Australia 2000 Semi-finals 4th 8 4 4
Greece 2004 Playoff 9th 6 2 4
China 2008 Quarter-finals 7th 6 3 3
United Kingdom 2012 Quarter-finals 7th 6 3 3
Brazil 2016 Semi-finals 4th 8 5 3
Japan 2020 Semi-finals 3rd 6 5 1
France 2024 Quarter-finals 6th 4 1 3
Total 0 Titles 16/21 115 58 57

FIBA World Cup

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NB: This competition was known as the FIBA World Championship through the 2010 edition.

FIBA World Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W L
Argentina 1950 Did not participate
Brazil 1954
Chile 1959
Brazil 1963
Uruguay 1967
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 1970 Playoff 12th 8 1 7
Puerto Rico 1974 Playoff 12th 7 2 5
Philippines 1978 Quarter-finals 7th 10 4 6
Colombia 1982 Quarter-finals 5th 8 4 4
Spain 1986 Playoff 17th 5 2 3
Argentina 1990 Quarter-finals 7th 8 4 4
Canada 1994 Quarter-finals 5th 8 5 3
Greece 1998 Playoff 9th 8 5 3
United States 2002 Did not qualify
Japan 2006 Playoff 13th 6 2 4
Turkey 2010 Playoff 10th 6 3 3
Spain 2014 Round of 16 12th 6 3 3
China 2019 Semi-finals 4th 8 6 2
PhilippinesJapanIndonesia 2023 Second round 10th 5 3 2
Qatar 2027 To be determined
Total 0 Titles 13/19 93 44 49

FIBA Asia Cup

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FIBA Asia Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W L
19602015 Not a FIBA Asia member
Lebanon 2017 Champions 1st 6 6 0
Indonesia 2022 Champions 1st 6 6 0
Saudi Arabia 2025 Qualified
Total 2 Titles 3/3 12 12 0

FIBA Oceania Championship

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FIBA Oceania Championship record
Year Round Position Pld W L
New Zealand 1971 Champions 1st 3 3 0
Australia 1975 Champions 1st 3 3 0
New Zealand 1978 Champions 1st 3 2 1
Australia 1979 Champions 1st 3 3 0
New Zealand 1981 Champions 1st 2 2 0
New Zealand 1983 Champions 1st 2 2 0
Australia 1985 Champions 1st 3 3 0
New Zealand 1987 Champions 1st 3 3 0
Australia 1989 Champions 1st 2 2 0
New Zealand 1991 Champions 1st 2 2 0
New Zealand 1993 Champions 1st 3 3 0
Australia 1995 Champions 1st 3 3 0
New Zealand 1997 Champions 1st 3 3 0
New Zealand 1999 Did not participate
New Zealand 2001 Runner-up 2nd 3 1 2
Australia 2003 Champions 1st 3 3 0
New Zealand 2005 Champions 1st 3 3 0
Australia 2007 Champions 1st 3 2 1
Australia New Zealand 2009 Runner-up 2nd 2 1 1
Australia 2011 Champions 1st 3 3 0
New Zealand Australia 2013 Champions 1st 2 2 0
Australia New Zealand 2015 Champions 1st 2 2 0
Total 19 Titles 21/22 56 51 5

FIBA Diamond Ball

[edit]
FIBA Diamond Ball record
Year Round Position Pld W L
Hong Kong 2000 Champions 1st 3 3 0
Serbia and Montenegro 2004 Playoff 5th 3 1 2
China 2008 Runner-up 2nd 3 2 1
Total 1 Title 3/3 9 6 3

FIBA Stanković Cup

[edit]
FIBA Stanković Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W L
China 2005 Third place 3rd 5 3 2
China 2006 Playoff 6th 3 0 3
China 2007 Did not participate
China 2008
China 2009 Champions 1st 4 4 0
China 2010 Runner-up 2nd 4 3 1
China 2011 Runner-up 2nd 4 2 2
China 2012 Runner-up 2nd 4 1 3
Total 1 Title 5/7 20 12 8

Commonwealth Games

[edit]
Commonwealth Games record
Year Round Position Pld W L
Australia 2006 Champions 1st 5 5 0
Australia 2018 Champions 1st 5 5 0
Total 2 Titles 2/2 10 10 0

General results

[edit]

Team

[edit]

Current roster

[edit]

Roster for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

A 22-player roster was announced on 10 April 2024.[33] It was cut to 17 players on 16 May.[34] The final squad was finalized on 5 July.[35]

Australia men's national basketball team – 2024 Summer Olympics roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Age – Date of birth Height Club Ctr.
PG 1 Dyson Daniels 21 – (2003-03-17)17 March 2003 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Atlanta Hawks United States
G 3 Josh Giddey 21 – (2002-10-10)10 October 2002 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Chicago Bulls United States
G 5 Patty Mills (C) 35 – (1988-08-11)11 August 1988 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) Miami Heat United States
G/F 6 Josh Green 23 – (2000-11-16)16 November 2000 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) Charlotte Hornets United States
SF 7 Joe Ingles 36 – (1987-10-02)2 October 1987 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) Minnesota Timberwolves United States
G 8 Matthew Dellavedova 33 – (1990-09-08)8 September 1990 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) Melbourne United Australia
G 11 Dante Exum 29 – (1995-07-13)13 July 1995 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) Dallas Mavericks United States
C 13 Jock Landale 28 – (1995-10-25)25 October 1995 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in) Houston Rockets United States
PF 15 Nick Kay 31 – (1992-08-03)3 August 1992 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) Shimane Susanoo Magic Japan
SF 17 Jack McVeigh 28 – (1996-06-26)26 June 1996 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Houston Rockets United States
C 22 Will Magnay 26 – (1998-06-10)10 June 1998 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) Tasmania JackJumpers Australia
C 26 Duop Reath 28 – (1996-06-26)26 June 1996 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in) Portland Trail Blazers United States
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Club – describes last
    club before the tournament
  • Age – describes age
    on 27 July 2024

Notable players

[edit]

Andris Blicavs

Head coach position

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "FIBA Ranking Presented by Nike". FIBA. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  2. ^ a b ncorney78 (29 April 2016), 1987 Australian Boomers vs USSR basketball – part 1 of 7, archived from the original on 18 November 2021, retrieved 13 July 2017{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Basketball Australia – Basketball Australia". Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  4. ^ "Lindsay Gaze Bio, Stats, and Results". Archived from the original on 5 June 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  5. ^ illusiv13 (10 November 2016), 1992 NBL All star game – Boomers vs USA All Stars, archived from the original on 19 December 2021, retrieved 13 July 2017{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Mac Fryz (18 January 2016), 1996 Australian Boomers vs USA Dream Team III, archived from the original on 18 November 2021, retrieved 13 July 2017
  7. ^ "How close Australia really got to luring NBA superstar Kyrie Irving, as Boomers prepare for Team USA". 10 August 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  8. ^ "Brett Brown has quit as coach of the Australian men's bastketball team". Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  9. ^ "The Official Website of the SKYCITY Breakers – Together.Stronger". Archived from the original on 25 October 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  10. ^ "Andrej Lemanis confirmed as Boomers coach". Stuff. 24 April 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  11. ^ "NBL – The National Basketball League –". Archived from the original on 30 April 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  12. ^ "Boomers dispatch Mexico at World Cup". Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  13. ^ "Australia claim third straight win at Basketball World Cup against Mexico". The Guardian. Australian Associated Press. 3 September 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  14. ^ "Did the Australian Boomers 'tank' against Angola?". Aussie Hoopla. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  15. ^ Media, Australian Community Media – Fairfax (5 September 2014). "Boomers deny 'tank' accusation". Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  16. ^ Ward, Roy (5 September 2014). "Boomers' World Cup loss to minnow Angola enables them to miss USA side of draw". Retrieved 10 October 2017 – via The Sydney Morning Herald.
  17. ^ Barton, Joe (4 September 2014). "Boomers deny tanking after loss to Angola at world championships". Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  18. ^ "Australia's Boomers deny 'tanking' at Basketball World Cup". The Guardian. Australian Associated Press. 4 September 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  19. ^ "Boomers accused of World Cup tank". 5 September 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  20. ^ "Boomers' loss to Angola: 'Tournament strategy' or 'un-Australian'?". 4 September 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  21. ^ "Boomers cleared of tanking by FIBA". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 November 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  22. ^ "Australia cleared of tanking Angola match – Yahoo!7 Sport". Archived from the original on 6 December 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  23. ^ "Basketball | SPORTAL". Archived from the original on 4 December 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  24. ^ "FIBA clears Aussies of tanking at World Cup". 26 November 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  25. ^ Ward, Roy (14 August 2015). "Boomers to move into Asia, play regular games as part of FIBA changes". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  26. ^ "Australian Boomers claim first FIBA Asia Cup but no player makes all-star five". The Sydney Morning Herald. 20 August 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  27. ^ "Philippines v Australia basketball: Mass brawl at World Cup qualifier". BBC. 3 July 2018.
  28. ^ "Players, coaches and referees banned after mass brawl in FIBA World Cup qualifier". insidethegames.com. 19 July 2018. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  29. ^ "Patty Mills fires again as Australia reach maiden Basketball World Cup semi-final". The Guardian. 12 September 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  30. ^ "Slovenia v Australia boxscore – Tokyo 2020 Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament – 7 August – FIBA.basketball".
  31. ^ "Five nations represented in the All-Star Five of the Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament – Tokyo 2020 Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament – FIBA.basketball".
  32. ^ Rafter and Gaze: champions of the court
  33. ^ "Boomers Olympic Squad Announced". australia.basketball. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  34. ^ "From 22 to 17 - Australia narrow the list of Olympic hopefuls". australia.basketball. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  35. ^ "Sources: Eight NBA stars in final Boomers' Paris squad". ESPN. 5 July 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  36. ^ "Team roster: Australia" (PDF). fiba.basketball. p. 1. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
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