Goorjian says NBL players vital to Boomers' qualifiers
30 Jun
1
min read


Australian coach Brian Goorjian has emphasised how important NBL players are to the Boomers' FIBA World Cup Qualification window this weekend.
The Boomers, headlined by Hawks duo Sam Froling and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, have three qualifiers this week, facing China on Thursday and Sunday night, and Japan on Friday night.
With 11 of the 12 players NBL representatives, they’re set to play a vital role in helping Australia punch their ticket to next year’s World Cup.
Goorjian believes players in this squad, including Jack White and William McDowell-White, could have the chance to break into the World Cup team if they impress in this qualification window.
“We need our top, top, top NBL players playing in this to get to where we need to go,” said Goorjian, who is also the Hawks' special advisor for basketball operations.
“This is a test, and I would like to reward a couple of these guys moving forward.
"I'm watching this very, very closely and there's nothing I’d like more than a couple of these guys to knock out a couple of the others.
“The top NBL players … this is an important window for them - it's important for our country that the NBL guys step up and represent.”
Goorjian heaped praise on the standard of NBL coaches, noting how prepared the players are and how quickly they have learnt the playbook.
“We've talked about what a great job Scott Roth has done … there's something that you want to put in and they've got a good feel for that, and that's the coach. He's a perfect example of that,” Goorjian said.
“What I walk away from is the guys that I coach against on a regular basis, they know what they're doing, and these guys have a good feel already for what we're trying to put in.”
Matthew Dellavedova headlines the team, alongside NBL teammate and rising star White. Adelaide 36ers captain Mitch McCarron and Perth Wildcats forward Todd Blanchfield, members of the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup-winning team, have also been included.
Sam Froling and Jack McVeigh make their second appearances for the Boomers having previously taken the court in the 2019 and 2021 qualification windows.
The team will have five debutants, with NBL veteran Clint Steindl and JackJumpers teammate Sam McDaniel named alongside championship winner Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, NBL22 Most Improved Player Keanu Pinder and New Zealand Breakers guard McDowell-White.
Coming off a season in the NBA G-League with the Long Island Nets, Thon Maker will make his return to the international fold.
FIBA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS SCHEDULE:
Thursday, June 30: Australia vs China, 6:30pm AEST
Friday, July 1: China vs Chinese Taipei, 5:00pm AEST
Friday, July 1: Japan vs Australia, 7:30pm AEST
Sunday, July 3: Japan vs Chinese Taipei, 4:00pm AEST
Sunday, July 3: China vs Australia, 6:30pm AEST
Monday, July 4: Chinese Taipei vs China, 6:30pm AEST

30 Dec
Game Preview: Hawks vs JackJumpers | RD15 NBL26
Sam Froling
Wani Swaka Lo Buluk
William Hickey

25 Dec
Game Report: Hawks @ Kings | RD14 NBL26
Wani Swaka Lo Buluk
Sam Froling
JaVale McGee

24 Dec
Game Preview: Hawks @ Kings | RD14 NBL26
Sam Froling
JaVale McGee

20 Dec
Game Report: Hawks vs 36ers | RD13 NBL26
Luca Yates
Wani Swaka Lo Buluk
Quentin Peterson
William Hickey

19 Dec
Game Preview: Hawks vs 36ers | RD13 NBL26

18 Dec
Game Report: Hawks @ United | RD13 NBL26
JaVale McGee
Tyler Harvey
Todd Blanchfield

17 Dec
Game Preview: Hawks @ United | RD13 NBL26

15 Dec
Nominate Now! Not all heroes wear capes!

11 Dec
Game Report: Hawks vs Bullets | RD12 NBL26
JaVale McGee
William Hickey
Biwali Bayles
Daniel Grida
Tyler Harvey

9 Dec
Illawarra Hawks Roadtrips

6 Dec
Game Report: Hawks vs Taipans | RD11 NBL26
Daniel Grida

4 Dec
Game Report: Hawks vs Phoenix | RD11 NBL26
Quentin Peterson
JaVale McGee
William Hickey

3 Dec
Game Preview: Hawks vs Phoenix & Taipans | RD11 NBL26

28 Nov
Illawarra Hawks Club Statement

26 Nov
lllawarra Hawks Forge Strategic Middle East Expansion Ahead of FIBA World Cup Qatar 2027

21 Nov
Game Report: Hawks vs United | RD10 NBL26
Support your team with the latest gear
Grab your latest team releases before they're gone.

Get the latest Team Updates
Breaking news & special offers. Direct to your inbox.

