The Australian men’s national basketball team will return to Melbourne this August for the Boomers vs World series, giving basketball fans the chance to see their Aussie heroes in action – thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos joined Boomers Head Coach, Brian Goorjian, and Boomers squad member, Dyson Daniels, at Melbourne Park this morning to announce the games – adding to the state’s outstanding calendar of international sporting events.
The tournament offers a rare opportunity to see the Boomers compete on home soil as they prepare for a World Cup. Australia will play the men’s national teams of Brazil, Venezuela and South Sudan over six games in three double-headers at Rod Laver Arena.
The Boomers meet Venezuela on Monday, 14 August, then Brazil on Wednesday, 16 August, followed by South Sudan on Thursday, 17 August.
The Australian squad for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup was announced last week and the final team will head to Melbourne to take part in the Boomers vs World series.
For the first time, the Boomers named ten current NBA players in the squad including Josh Giddey, Dyson Daniels, Matisse Thybulle, Xavier Cooks, Joe Ingles, Jock Landale, Josh Green, Jack White, Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova – who this week signed with Melbourne United in the NBL.
The Boomers vs World series follows the success of the 2022 FIBA Asian Qualifying Series at John Cain Arena which attracted more than 22,000 fans including near sell-out matches against China.
Victoria is the home of Australian basketball with more than 360,000 Victorians regularly playing the sport – more than a third of the national total.
The Boomers vs World seriesjoins a blockbuster calendar of international sporting events in Melbourne including the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Bledisloe Cup, and NHL Global Series – Melbourne.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos
“Victoria is not only Australia’s major events state but also the basketball state – and we’re proud to bring the Boomers back to Melbourne to give local fans a chance to see their heroes in action.”
“This series is another important addition to our blockbuster major events calendar and we want all local basketball fans to come along and support the Boomers as they prepare for their 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup campaign later in the year.”
Quotes attributable to Basketball Australia CEO Matt Scriven
“With the growth of basketball in Australia we are committed to delivering more events that showcase our national teams, as well as international players, so the next generation can watch their heroes and the best basketballers in the world.
“Thanks to the support of the Victorian Government we have invited Venezuela, Brazil and South Sudan to Melbourne to battle it out against the Boomers, all of whom can’t wait to play in Australia. We look forward to sports fans and the basketball family packing out Rod Laver Arena in their green and gold.”
Reviewed 19 May 2023