The USA Dream team is coming to Melbourne for an exclusive series between the USA Basketball Men’s National Team and the Australian Boomers next year at Etihad Stadium.
Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren joined representatives from Basketball Australia and USA Basketball today to announce the two-game series in August 2019.
It will be the first time the USA Dream Team will play in Australia since the 2000 Sydney Olympics and will give thousands of fans the chance to see some of the world’s best basketballers battle it out on the court, before heading to China for the FIBA World Cup later that month.
To ensure basketball continues to grow at the grassroots level, the Labor Government has announced funding towards a business case to build up to ten new courts at the State Basketball Centre in Knox.
The upgrade would provide a National Centre of Excellence and Administration hub for basketball bodies in Australia, as well as the ability to host major championships.
This comes on top of more than $20 million the Labor Government has invested to upgrade facilities that benefit local basketballers, from the Bendigo Stadium expansion to the Collingwood Indoor Sports Centre.
The Labor Government is also upgrading basketball facilities at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre – investing in high performance programs with Melbourne United and working with Basketball Victoria to establish a new youth Basketball Pathway Academy.
The Basketball USA-Australia series will be played at Etihad Stadium on 22 and 24 August 2019. A waitlist for tickets is now open at .
Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren
“This exclusive blockbuster series will not only inspire our young athletes to hit the court, but attract fans from interstate and overseas – and that’s good news for Victorian jobs, businesses and the economy.”
“We’re proud to back the talent of tomorrow by delivering the courts and pathways our kids need to make it to the big leagues.”
Quote attributable to Basketball Australia CEO Anthony Moore
“With these two games occurring just prior to the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China, our Boomers and the USA will be at full strength and the quality of basketball that Australian sports fans will witness will be extraordinary.”
Quote attributable to USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley
“The USA-Australia game at the 2016 Rio Olympics was intense, passionate and a very competitive game that came down to the final minutes. We expect these games in 2019 will again showcase international basketball at its highest level and offer sports fans a very memorable event.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020