My picks, starters first.

Macdonald / Foxwell / Hickey
Henshall / Smith
McVeigh / Glover / Galloway
White / Cooks
Magnay / Bannan

Cooks and Bannan can play small ball centre but if they opt for size, either Hickey or Galloway to go for Wessels. Think it might be good to have some size at the C. McVeigh can also move to PF and Glover to SG. The two Jacks interchangeable in the starting forward spots. Wonder if NBA contract discussions will impact their availability - Yang Hansen already sitting out for China.

Looking forward to seeing how Reyne Smith fares.

I'm intrigued about this Boomers team and the Asia Cup in general after we just got over the line against Lebanon in the final last time. No Thon Maker for us this time either.

Daniels looks like one likely omission but even though he's a bit of a plodder I think Wessels might be retained for his size. He's comfortably the biggest guy in that squad which could be useful insurance wise. Not sure if Haddadi is still playing for Iran but he's a big unit too.

Reyne Smith I don't know much about other than he played for Denver at SL in Las Vegas and when they finished their games Washington asked him to play in their last game too. That suggests there must be something there if two NBA teams were keen to bring him in at SL.

I must admit I'm not big on Henshall I don't really get how much the NBL hypes him up and he pulled out of the NBA draft for a reason. If he goes the college route that's a bit weak IMO, a pro going down to play with ammo kids. What I've seen of him in the NBL I don't think that much of.

Glover's got some genuine spark about him I've always appreciated his skill set so Dash Daniels and one of Henshall or Smith I would leave out and for me I don't think we would miss Henshall.

The Boomers play a warm up game against Colorado on the Gold Coast on Thursday July 31. Will the game be televised?

Dash Daniels is gonna play in the NBL and looks like the next big thing, so I reckon he probably gets picked. Feels kinda like when Dyson made the 2023 squad — could def see Dash being the 12th guy.

Haddadi retired from the national team in 2023.

Maker is a big loss imo.
Would have blooded Condon over Wessels.


No hansen for China but still a good squad.
No kawamura for japan but still a good squad.
Korea and Phillipines could move up from 22'
Nz ok but not great. New blood.
Lebanon possibly to the final?

Wael Arakji's out injured — huge loss for Lebanon tbh.
But they brought in Dedric Lawson, so not all bad.
They smashed Iran and Jordan in recent warm-ups, looked pretty solid.

"the next big thing" based upon what? Never had a dominate Australian junior championships. hasnt averaged more than 12ppg at u18/20s, outside shooting is bog average. assist numbers are average. only ranked 11th in steals at the last Nationals. Poor at the WC.

So the next big thing based upon what?

Henshall surplus to needs, big picture he is unlikely to overtake any of our current athletic wings for major events. Wessels not required. Took Proctor to Asia Cup in '22, likely will do the same with Daniels. Smith deserves an opportunity.

MacDonald / Foxwell / Hickey
Glover / Smith / Daniels
McVeigh / Galloway
White / Bannan
Magnay / Cooks

Good enough for Gold in Asia once again.

Yeah, I get he's not killing it right now — I’ve been disappointed watching him too.
Tbh, he might be a bit overrated.
But scouts are into his potential, and I still think he’s got a shot at being a really good player like his brother.
If they’re picking the team based on the top guys at camp, Daniels probably doesn’t make it yet.
But for that 12th man spot? He’s got a decent shot.

Yeah, I get he's not killing it right now — I’ve been disappointed watching him too.
Tbh, he might be a bit overrated.
But scouts are into his potential, and I still think he’s got a shot at being a really good player like his brother.
If they’re picking the team based on the top guys at camp, Daniels probably doesn’t make it yet.
But for that 12th man spot? He’s got a decent shot.

Ben Henshall's FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers stats (4 games):
11.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.5 SPG, 2 TO, 1.3 PF per game, shooting 55.2% FG (73.3% 2P, 35.7% 3P) and 81.8% FT.

Henshall was one of the most efficient players in the Asia Cup qualifiers, actually outplaying DJV, so I reckon he’s got a solid shot at making the Asia Cup team too.

DJV's FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers stats (4 games):
12.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 0.5 TO, 1.3 PF per game, shooting 24.6% FG (28.6% 2P, 22.5% 3P) and 100% FT.

Would be happy with


PG
Macdonald
Foxwell

SG
Smith
Any 2 of Henshall, Hickey or Glover

SF
Galloway

CF
Mcveigh
White

PF/C
Cooks
Bannan

C
Magnay
Wessels



Still think

Condon > Wessels
Maybe given WMW a chance and another vet with lots of experience in these tournaments like Goulding or Creek etc

I am surprised Delly isnt pushing his ongoing claim for a Boomers spot with this team. I mean while we all know he isnt a future, he's a steadier option than MacDonald and Foxwell, neither of which really have a shot at any major tournament anyway. Also no Goulding, who is still arguably a better player than any SG we have on the team. I get that we dont want to keep rehashing the past, but our player development should be tempered with which options legitimately have a Boomers future and what would give us a better shot at winning today. But it should matter, our forwards and centres are leaps and bounds ahead of what you're going to get from Asia and it will be a bit embarassing if we dont comfortably sweep the gold. Still, I am intrigued enough to renew my Kayo and watch. I havent minded the Asia cup in the past. It's like a very small taste tester to what I consider 'the real stuff' to come in 27/28. It also pays to remember that solid Boomers role players have cut their teeth at these things and it helps to show coaching staff what up and coming players may provide in an international context, albeit watered down.

There are so few realistic opportunities to win a Gold Medal for your country.

Surprised a few others havent put their hands up.

Delly is 34, and if his sights are set on the WC and Olympics, there's really no need for him to play in the Asia Cup. Kay didn’t play in the 2022 Asia Cup either. And Goulding is already 36. Back in the 2022 Asia Cup, the oldest player on the team was Steindl, who was 33 at the time.

If I were Delly I wouldn't be putting my hand up for this either he would be on a hiding to nothing. Plays well who cares but plays poorly and might get a line ruled through his name for good.

Our 2022 team last time was:

Thon Maker, Will McDowell-White, Mitch McCarron, Tyrese Proctor, Sam Froling, Rhys Vague, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, Sam McDaniel, Alex Ducas, Keanu Pinder, David Okwera, Clint Steindl.

We only beat Lebanon in the final by 2 points, we nearly paid the price for putting out such an ordinary team so glad BA have learnt their lesson and put together a much stronger team this time.

Strong enough though?, cannot deny other teams have improved and will continue to do so.

There's probably a parallel with the rest of the world catching up to the USA in international competitions, so that the USA was forced to send quality teams (starting with the Dream Team).

I wonder how long it will be before the rest of Asia catches up to us and forces us to send our best to tournaments like these.

From photos > Couple of other guys at TC

Josh Giddey
Dyson Daniels
Alex Ducas
Some other guy, cant tell who it is...


+
Dash Daniels
Foxwell
Smith
Hickey
Glover
Henshall
Galloway
Mcveigh
White
Cooks
Bannan
Magnay
Wessels

Couldn't see macdonald but probably there.

Ok MacDonald is present, Delly too and 1 other guy.

Has the camp kicked off today?

Yup

@EthanJohnson613 on X:

@OlgunUluc @michaelhoub @MickRandallHS
looks like RJ Greer scored an invite to the scrimmage group alongside Dash, Bannon and Foxwell. Good to see him getting some time in a boomers camp. At Davidson next year, but was a prospect to watch in aussie hoops not too long ago.