Australia’s Boomers have begun their warm-ups for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games against China tonight in Melbourne.
The first of two games against their Asian rivals is a critical test for the 17-man squad as coach Brian Goorjian prepares to make the toughest cut, down to just 12.
There are 10 members of the Australian squad who won bronze at the Tokyo Games looking to make a repeat appearance, while Dyson Daniels and Josh Giddey are bidding for their first selections.
Watch the Australian Boomers and Opals’ Olympic warm-up games against China, Tuesday to Friday from 7:30pm AEST, on Foxtel and Kayo via ESPN. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
A number of impressive NBL performers are also looking to push their way into a squad that is undergoing a period of transition, including Xavier Cooks, Jack McVeigh, Will Magnay, Dejan Vasiljevic and Jack White.
Jock Landale, Josh Green and Dante Exum were rested for the game with limited minutes expected for Giddey.
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The starting line-up was Matisse Thybulle, Josh Giddey, Patty Mills, Xavier Cooks and Duop Reath.
But it was Jack McVeigh who quickly began pushing his case for selection, adding some much-needed shooting to the Aussie line-up.
McVeigh had 13 points with three threes in just eight minutes off the bench in the opening half, with NBL commentator Jack Heverin argued he was “punching his ticket to Paris as we speak”.
The Aussies led 51-48 at halftime, with Duop Reath leading all comers with 14 points.
By the end of the third, McVeigh had 24 points on six-of-eight from three-point range in less than 13 minutes on the court.
The game against China got underway at 7:30pm AEST and can be watched on Foxtel and Kayo via ESPN.
Australia’s 17-man squad
Matthew Dellavedova, Dante Exum, Chris Goulding, Joe Ingles, Nick Kay, Patty Mills, Duop Reath, Josh Green, Jock Landale, Matisse Thybulle, Dyson Daniels, Josh Giddey, Xavier Cooks, Jack McVeigh, Will Magnay, Dejan Vasiljevic, Jack White