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A bronze medallist in the Tokyo Olympics, Nick Kay is on the road to Paris.<\/p>\n
Kay will captain the team against the Korea and is excited about what the newcomers bring to the court and program.<\/p>\n
Big-game experience for Kay includes two NBL championship victories with the Perth Wildcats.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Boomers always try to play with a lot of energy,” he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cGetting after teams is what we have done well many times and want to keep doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kay said defensive energy is a core value for any Boomer, no matter what the game tally is.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe younger players are in this group are learning as much as they can about Boomers culture and also take a lot of pride in wearing the green and gold,” he said.<\/p>\n
Those newcomers include Rocco Zikarsky from the Brisbane Bullets, and Josh Dent from the Centre of Excellence.<\/p>\n
At a height of 7 foot 3 inches or more than 220 centimetres, Zikarsky\u2019s athleticism has thrilled many fans in a short space of time.<\/p>\n
Among those in the stands tonight will be family from Brisbane and Melbourne.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am really stoked to be part of this group,\u201d Zikarsky said of being selected to represent his country against Korea,” he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a childhood dream to represent the Boomers.\u201d<\/p>\n
He will be determined game one in Bendigo is the first of many.<\/p>\n
Zikarsky and Josh Dent were team-mates for Australia at the World Cup and Asia Cup at under-17 level in 2022.<\/p>\n
Both bring different dynamics to the court.<\/p>\n
Zikarsky with the rebounding ability, and Dent with the quick feet and hands in his role as a guard.<\/p>\n
The basketball journey for Dent began with Wollongong Hawks.<\/p>\n
He has tipped a fierce contest with Korea.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have some really quick guards,” Dent said.<\/p>\n
Australian Boomers team to play South Korea in Bendigo:<\/p>\n
Nicholas Kay (captain), Taran Armstrong, Josh Bannan, Josh Dent, Ben Henshall, Jordan Hunter, Isaac Humphries, Nick Marshall, Mitch McCarron, Kye Savage, Dejan Vasilvevic, Rocco Zikarsky.<\/p>\n
Coach: Brian Goorjian.<\/p>\n
Assistant coaches: Jacob Chance, Robert McKinlay, Kerry Williams.<\/p>\n
The Boomers and Korea match tips off at 6.30pm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Australian Boomers will take their first steps toward another World Cup in Thursday night\u2019s basketball showdown with Korea in Bendigo. Six players will represent Australia at senior level for the first time in the Asia Cup qualifier. Boomers\u2019 coach Brian Goorjian said the clash with Korea was important, not just qualifying for the Asia […]<\/p>\n