Jock Landale: With Baynes out,Landale gave the Boomers priceless points and presence in the paint. To top it all off,the NBL grand final MVP was rewarded with a long-awaited NBA deal as he will join San Antonio Spurs in a multi-year contract. At 25,he is tipped to be a fixture for years to come,including Paris.
Jock Landale throws down a dunk.Credit:Getty Images
Dante Exum:Despite being an NBA free agent,Exum dedicated himself to the Boomers after injuries kept him out of the side since 2016. His fearless drives,defence and 12 points in the bronze medal game may have turned his career around. Someone is going to get a bargain in the NBA this season. He will be 30 in Paris and could be an ace for the Boomers.
Matisse Thybulle:Australia owes his dad Gregory a massive thanks for keeping him in the countrylong enough to qualify for the passport. The Boomers should have called him up years ago. Thybulle’s athleticism,defensive toughness and a surprisingly accurate three-point shot proved game-changers. He clearly loved every minute and hopefully will be a fixture from now on. He will be 27 in Paris and could be Australia’s best player by then.
Matisse Thybulle (left) and Nic Kay (right) control a rebound.Credit:Getty Images
Nic Kay: In 2019,Kay was the guy casual fans questioned. He walks away from Tokyo as the role player every team is desperate for. Kay did all the tough stuff,pulled in key rebounds and nailed vital three-pointers. Everything the Boomers asked for,he delivered. The Tamworth native will be a poster child for junior coaches. Kay has signed for Shimane Susanoo Magic in Japan. He will be on this team until his body says “no more”. Kay will be 33 in Paris.
Nathan Sobey:Left out of the squad before the NBL season,Sobey was so good for the Bullets,he earned a place in Tokyo. He did well against Italy,had a few scratchy games but he gave his all and did what was asked. Sobey is expected to remain with the Bullets this season. He will be 34 for Paris but will play a role in qualification.
The rookies
Josh Green: The Dallas Mavericks swingman only played a few minutes but gave his all and threw down some dunks against Argentina.Green will be back with the Mavericks for his second season and who knows how good this 20-year-old could be in three years’ time in Paris. He is a big part of the future.
Duop Reath:Reath was a late call-up and a back-up in case injuries hit the other big men but he showed glimpses of his talent,knocking down some shots and making some plays inside in limited minutes. Reath will join Brian Goorjian’s Hawks this coming NBL season and he will be 28 in Paris so will still be in the frame,although he will face competition for his spot.
Ones to watch
Ben Simmons:History is made by those who show up andSimmons chose to stay home. He could potentially be the best player in the world buthis Philadelphia 76ers are reportedly trying to trade him. He will 28 in Paris;let’s hope he finds the spirit of that 17-year-old who excitedly made his Boomers debut years ago.
Josh Giddey after being drafted by Oklahoma City Thunder.Credit:AP
Josh Giddey:The newlydrafted Oklahoma City rookie did everything he could to make the Tokyo Olympics side before Sobey was given the nod. He accepted his omission and vowed to return to theBoomers at the next opportunity. The 18-year-old begins his NBA Summer League campaign this week;in three years’ time he could be anything for the Boomers.
Dyson Daniels:The Bendigo-raised guard is another super-athletic player who chose to join the NBA’s G-League Ignite team for this coming season with eyes on being a first-round pick in next year’s NBA draft. He is defensively impressive and already played for the Boomers. Like Giddey,he could be putting his hand up for a role in Paris.