After two wins in the first window, the Boomers can perfect the first round should they win the next two games before the next window occurs mid-year with the groups then crossing over for the second round.
Only Two players -- Kevin Lisch and Jesse Wagstaff -- come into the team from Australia’s last FIBA World Cup qualifier in November with seven NBL clubs represented overall.
“Continuity is important in the team, especially with the limited preparation time in the FIBA windows,” Boomers head coach, Andrej Lemanis said in a statement in the Basketball Australia website
“We have discussed and debated the make-up of the final team as a staff over the past month and are pleased with the versatility in playing style that this particular team allows.
“We are fortunate to have such a depth of talent in the NBL from which to select.”
The team has expressed high respect for the Philippine team Smart Gilas.
“The unique challenges that the Philippines present have definitely been part of the discussion and selection process,” said Lemanis.
“Basketball is the number one sport in the Philippines, they produce highly skilled players and play well together as a team.
“Our assistant coaches have spent a lot of time gaining an understanding of how they play and the specific talents of their playing group. We feel that we have selected a team that will enable us to negate some of their individual and team strengths as well as hopefully causing a few challenging match-ups for them.”
The members of the Boomers, selected from seven NBL teams, are:
The 208-cm centre Angus Brandt, who plays for Perth Wildcats, averages 8.9 points per game (ppg) this NBL season.
A nine-year NBL veteran, 26 -year old point guard Jason Cadee of Sydney Kings, averages 10.3 ppg this season.
The 196-cm forward Mitch Creek of Adelaide 36ers averages 14.3 ppg.
Shooting guard Cameron Giddon of Cairns Taipan averages 2.9 assists per game (apg) and 12.3 ppg.
A 12-year NBL veteran, Chris Goulding Melbourne United, averages 2.5 apg and 13.7 ppg.
211-cm Matt Hodgson of Adelaide 36ers averages 3.4 rebounds per game (rpg).
Power forward Nick Kay of Illawarra Hawks averages 11.1 ppg and 5.1 rpg. He was the 2016 NBL Rookie.
Power forward/center Daniel Kickert of Brisbane Bullets averages 13.8 ppg and 4.5 rpg. He became a Boomer in 2006
188-cm Kevin Lisch of Sydney Kings averages 10.3 ppg and 2.8 apg. He was the 2012 and 2016 NBL MVP awardee.
Just on his 3rd NBL year, the 190-cm shooting guard Mitch McCarron of Cairns Taipan averages 6.7 rpg and 11.3 ppg. He was a 2015 NBA draftee.
Shooting guard 193-cm Nathan Sobey of Adelaide 36ers averages 13 ppg.
Ten –year veteran, the 203-cm power forward/centre Jesse Wagstaff of Perth Wildcats averages 9.1 ppg. He has been with the Boomers since 2010.
After their FIBA World Cup qualifying games, Daniel Kickert sits fifth in the Asian region for scoring with 18.5 points per game on 75% shooting from the field while he is also placed in the top 15 for assists with 3.5 per contest.
Jason Cadee is placed fourth for assists with an average of 5.5 while Mitch Creek and Nick Kay both sit in the top 15 for rebounds with over seven per game each.
“Our depth, being able to genuinely play 12-deep, is a distinct advantage,” said Lemanis.
“During the first window, we were able to sustain a level for the course of the game which ultimately allowed us to pull away from a very good Japanese team.”
Lemanis is also looking forward to the advantage that a home court brings with both games of the second window being played in Melbourne at Margaret Court Arena.
The Boomers will clash with the Philippines on February 22 and Chinese Taipei on the 25th.
