Hawks trio headline Boomers' squad for Asian qualifiers

The Australian Boomers' squad for this month's FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian qualifiers will have a distinct Hawks flavour, with three players named in the 17-man squad.

Guards Emmett Naar and Alex Mudronja, as well as centre Akoldah Gak, were unveiled in the squad, which will be led by former Hawks coach Rob Beveridge while in Okinawa, Japan.

“The talent that we are putting on the floor, although young, have all been part of Basketball Australia’s national pathway and I have no doubt they will represent our country with distinction,” Beveridge said.

“I am really excited about coaching these up-and-coming future stars and exposing them to what it means to be part of the Boomers program.”

Beveridge will take over from current Illawarra coach Brian Goorjian for the three matches against Chinese Taipei (February 25 and 28) and Japan (February 27).

“The rose gold in Tokyo was about basketball at all levels and these development players now have a tremendous opportunity to step up and represent in the green and gold,” said Goorjian, who was unable to lead the green and gold due to his NBL commitments.

"We are fortunate to have Rob Beveridge at the helm, he is the best person to lead this young group with his extensive experience. 

“Rob will be supported by Robbie McKinlay and Mike Kelly and I personally want to thank the Perth Wildcats for working with us to get Mike over to Japan.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our green and gold stars ?<a href="https://twitter.com/alexmud35?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@alexmud35</a>, Emmett Naar and <a href="https://twitter.com/akoldah?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@akoldah</a> have been named in the <a href="https://twitter.com/aus_boomers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@aus_boomers</a>&#39; FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers squad.<br><br>?: <a href="https://t.co/w7kAh8Xdzi">https://t.co/w7kAh8Xdzi</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreIllawarra?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreIllawarra</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FlyAsOne?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FlyAsOne</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL22</a> <a href="https://t.co/JuuJxflXVP">pic.twitter.com/JuuJxflXVP</a></p>&mdash; Illawarra Hawks Basketball (@illawarrahawks) <a href="https://twitter.com/illawarrahawks/status/1488711073058689024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Joining the foundation club trio in the squad are former Hawk Nick Kay (Shimane Susanoo Magic) and Illawarra junior Kyle Zunic - who now plays for the Perth Wildcats.

“I take any opportunity I can to play for the Boomers and am looking forward to taking on more of a leadership role,” said Kay, who was part of the Boomers’ bronze medal in Tokyo.

“Hopefully my experience in Japan will be helpful and I can’t wait to get to know the young fellas.”

Rounding out the squad are Kagawa Five Arrows’ Angus Brandt and Rhys Vague, Centre of Excellence’s Harry Wessels and Bol Dengdit, Melbourne United’s Wena Okwera and Zac Triplett, Tasmania JackJumpers’ Sean Macdonald, NBA GA Academy’s Tyrese Proctor, Sydney Kings’ Jaylin Galloway, Adelaide 36ers’ Nicholas Marshall, Korikouvot’s Maluach Makuach and Wuerzburg’s Craig Moller.