Greece’s hopes of landing basketball’s World Cup took a major blow on Friday when their star player Giannis Antetokounmpo announced he will miss the tournament.
Antetokounmpo underwent knee surgery at the beginning of July and has been absent from Greece’s preparations for the tournament.
“Since the conclusion of my NBA season I have been pushing my body to the limits to be the player I need to be to help our team achieve the goals we set,” the 28-year-old Milwaukee Bucks star wrote on social media.
“After months of work and multiple meetings with medical staff it is clear that I am not ready to compete in the level that I need to be to participate in the World Cup.
“This was not a choice but my only option in ensuring I get back to the level of basketball I have worked so hard to achieve so far in my career.
If you thought there were some wild scenes at Leeds, wait until you see how the Marsh family celebrated Mitch’s incredible innings while at his brother Shaun’s Bali 40th.
Geoff Marsh missed being in Leeds for his son Mitch’s first Test century in five and ½ years after departing the UK earlier this week to join family in Bali for a celebration to mark his other son Shaun’s 40th birthday.
Mitch found out on Tuesday that the Aussies’ primary all-rounder was in doubt for the match, receiving confirmation on Wednesday that Green was out after scans revealed a minor hamstring injury.
Needed to bat before lunch after Australia slumped to 4-85 after being inserted by England, Marsh capitalised on being dropped by Joe Root at first slip on 12 to smack a run-a-ball 118, proving the foundation of Australia’s first innings 263. England was 3-68 in response at stumps, with Mitch having picked up the wicket of Zak Crawley.
Shaun, himself a former Australian player, posted a video on Instagram of he and Geoff dancing jubilantly after watching Mitch reach triple-figures from their holiday.
Having seen the video, Mitch joked that he was concerned for his brother’s welfare.
“Shaun’s 40th in a couple of days’ time so all the family is in Bali so let’s hope he gets to 40,” Mitch said.
Mitch, who has a reputation as an extremely popular teammate, said his father would have picked Bali over the UK even if he had known of Mitch’s call-up.
“Dad had just flown back that day. So he was mid-air when I found out that I was playing, but to be honest, I don’t think he was missing the 40th, that’s much more exciting. And obviously yeah all my family and all of our close friends are celebrating there with Shaun,” Mitch said.
Mitch, who last played a Test on the 2019 Ashes tour, said he had retained hope of a return despite his long hiatus and an ankle injury that ruled him out for much of the summer.
“(It’s) always a bit of a surprise (to be called-up) and very unfortunate for Greeny with a very, very minor hamstring injury but I feel like I’ve been his understudy for a few years, now on a lot of tours,” Mitch said.
“My previous experience on long Test tours is you always get a chance at some stage so I just wanted to stay ready and become the first man to score a Test 100 on a UK holiday.”
Daniel Cherny is a Melbourne sportswriter, focusing on AFL and cricket. Having started his career at Back Page Lead, Daniel spent eight years at The Age, during which time he covered Australian Test cricket tours of Bangladesh and the UAE, as well as the 2016 Rio Olympics. He has been recognised for both his AFL and cricket writing, including winning the Clinton Grybas Rising Star Award at the 2019 Australian Football Media Association Awards. He is also a compulsive Simpsons quoter.
One fan who would not have been enjoying the atmosphere as much was the brave man wearing an Aussie gold Socceroos shirt in amongst the 68,000 screaming Messi fans.
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Now it’s time to give the fan the respect he is due for his efforts of giving the Socceroos some level of visible support inside the Workers’ Stadium in Beijing.
Countless photos of a random fan sitting in amongst the seas of blue and white seen around the stadium have surfaced in the wake of Argentina’ 2-0 victory.
Each photo should bring another degree of appreciation for the mystery fan.
Code Sports’ Adam Peacock seemed to sum it up when he wrote: “For the Beijing game, 68,000 tickets sold out in a minute. Roughly 67,785 of them wore Argentina No.10 shirts.”
Let’s play a game of Where’s Wally. Photo: Pedro PARDO / AFP via Twitter, @keepupau.Source: AFPIt did help the Socceroos that the stadium has yellow seating. Photo by Pedro PARDO / AFP.Source: AFPNope, not here. Photo by Di Yin/Getty Images.Source: Getty ImagesIf you squint, you can see another brave soul in yellow. Photo by WANG Zhao / AFP.Source: AFPNot all heroes wear capes. Photo: Pedro PARDO / AFP via Twitter, @keepupau.Source: AFP
Fortunately, spectators seemed far too busy on their phones to have any interest in paying attention to the outlying fan.
Even security guards were seen with their phones out trying to take the perfect photo as Messi took a corner at one point in the match.
The 35-year-old put on a show for them.
Messi set two new marks in the win, scoring the fastest goal of his career while also scoring in his seventh straight game for his country – which was also a personal record.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner curled in from the edge of the area following a turnover by the Socceroos.
Messi has now scored in every minute of a game at some point of his career, except for the opening minute.
Australia weathered the early storm and nearly equalised when attacker Mitchell Duke forced Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to tip a close-range shot onto the post.
Messi and fellow Argentina veteran Angel di Maria both drew saves from Australia stopper Mat Ryan at the start of the second half.
And the world champions eventually made their pressure count when German Pezzella headed in a cross to make it 2-0 in the 68th minute.
But even Messi’s goal paled in comparison to this exhibition of sublime skill as he danced his way through an embarrassed Socceroos midfield in the 79th minute.
England football great Gary Lineker described the dribbling as “filth”.
Messi is idolised in football-mad China, whose underperforming national team and struggling domestic league are chronic sources of disappointment.
Midway through the second half, a young-looking fan wearing an Argentina shirt invaded the pitch and briefly embraced Messi before being hauled away by security guards.
Thousands greeted the Argentina captain’s every touch with roars of anticipation that built to a crescendo when he put his team into their quick-fire lead.
Messi mania had gripped a sweltering Beijing for the sell-out friendly match in the Chinese capital.
All eyes were on Messi, arguably the greatest footballer of all time, who lifted the World Cup for the Albiceleste in December.
Thousands of Chinese fans braved temperatures of nearly 40C, gathering at Beijing’s newly renovated Workers’ Stadium several hours before the 8pm kick-off.
Many came clad in replica Argentina shirts emblazoned with Messi’s name and number 10, while others had daubed their faces with sky-blue and white paint or were excitedly clasping flags.
Security guards corralled hundreds of fans behind barriers outside the western gate to the ground, where the Argentina team coach was due to enter.
Forty-year-old lawyer Zhong Xiaoqing from eastern China’s Zhejiang province told AFP that Messi was his “perfect idol”.
“Messi is the greatest player of all time,” he said. “I was completely enamoured the first time I saw him play in 2005.
“He’s a model for me — my perfect idol.”
For 29-year-old HR worker Sun Bingxin from northern Shanxi province, the excitement had been overwhelming.
“I’ve been so pent up about it that I feel like I could cry with joy,” she told AFP before kick-off.
“Every football fan in China has wanted to be here tonight, so it’ll be a spectacular occasion.” Liu Rui, a 24-year-old student from Nanjing in eastern Jiangsu province, said being at the match was “really a dream come true”.
“In 40 years’ time, I can tell my grandchildren about this,” he told AFP.
The man of the moment. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)Source: Getty ImagesStill creating history. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Hundreds of flag-waving fans had been camped outside the team’s luxury hotel ever since they touched down on Saturday.
Crowds have lined heavily guarded streets hoping to catch a glimpse of the 35-year-old each time the team goes for training.
The man himself has kept a low profile, but that has done little to dampen enthusiasm.
One daring fan recounted his tale of spending the night inside the Four Seasons hotel in a bid to get a close encounter with Messi and his teammates.
“I first hid in the janitor’s closet, then went up to the team’s floor through the fire escape staircase,” the man, surnamed Lin, told AFP.
He was questioned by hotel security before being released.
Another fan, Li Weihua, said he had flown from his home city of Shenzhen in southern China, heading straight to the hotel.
He did not even have a ticket for the match at the 68,000-capacity Workers’ Stadium, which had quickly sold out.
“I just want to feel the environment,” said the 29-year-old, who had never been to Beijing before.
Huang Yongming, 17, from the northeastern city of Changchun, was more successful in getting a highly coveted ticket.
“I spent around 3000 yuan ($615) for a ticket,” Huang told AFP. “I know it’s expensive, but I thought that if I didn’t take the opportunity, I would regret it.”
Messi is set to join Inter Miami this summer, after two years at Paris Saint-Germain.
Thursday’s match was a re-run of the last-16 clash between Argentina and Australia at last year’s World Cup in Qatar.
On that occasion, Messi scored a goal and tormented the Socceroos’ defence as the Albiceleste won 2-1.
Argentina went on to win the World Cup for the first time in 36 years. The South Americans will round off their Asian tour on Monday when they play another friendly against Indonesia in Jakarta.
The Socceroos are out to avenge their heartbreaking World Cup loss against Argentina as the nations square off in a friendly in Beijing, China at 10pm (AEST).
Argentina, who went on to win the World Cup, squeezed past Graham Arnold’s side 2-1 in the Round of 16 thanks to Lionel Messi’s brilliance and a superb late save from Emi Martinez.
However, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni remarked the match against the Socceroos was his side’s toughest game of their entire Qatar campaign.
The world champions are expected to name a strong side with Messi expected to start as the pint-sized superstar will miss his side’s upcoming fixture against Indonesia.
Follow all the action from the Socceroos’ clash against Argentina in our LIVE BLOG below!
As for the Socceroos, Arnold has confirmed former Melbourne City duo Jordan Bos and Aiden O’Neill will start as well as Keanu Baccus, who started the Round of 16 clash.
Plenty of Aussies will be intrigued to see if teenage defender Alessandro Circati sees any minutes.
Circati, a dual citizen of Australia and Italy, pledged his international future to the Socceroos in a major boost for Arnold.
The 19-year-old’s decision follows that of midfielder Alexander Robertson, who committed to the Socceroos instead of England, Scotland and Peru ahead of the Ecuador friendlies.
Although it may be billed as a friendly between the two nations, there is still some silverware up for grabs.
A video circulating on social media displayed the bizarre trophy which has been declared the International Football Invitational Memorial Prize.
The gold trophy features a spinning ball on top with plenty of striking details, including the emblems of each national team.
Follow all the action from the Socceroos’ clash against Argentina in our LIVE BLOG below!
Boomers coach Brian Goorjian reiterated Ben Simmons could still figure in this year’s FIBA World Cup but that health will ultimately determine the three-time All-Star’s availability.
Goorjian said last week that Simmons is a “strong chance” of making his long-awaited Boomers debut at this year’s World Cup in August.
But health was always going to be an obstacle after Simmons missed the final 24 games of the NBA season at the Nets while rehabbing his knee and dealing with back issues.
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Ben Simmons could still join Patty Mills in the Boomers camp. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
A report from Alex Schiffer of The Athleticclaimed Simmons will be given every chance to prove his fitness until mid to late August, when the Boomers will finalise their roster before pool games.
Goorjian said as much on Monday, confirming there is still a spot in the team for Simmons and that he is “hopefully” the 26-year-old will don the green and gold.
“(His status) is just health,” Goorjian said.
“He didn’t finish the season due to some physical constraints and he definitely wants to be a part of this and is working right now to get healthy.
“We’ve made a spot for him if he’s available by the time of the Cairns camp. We’ll put him in there and give him a good look.
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“Obviously when he’s at his best, he’s something that could really help. The communication has been good. He’s in that frame of mind of wanting to be a part of this, he’s trying to get healthy.
“I’m preparing with what we have here but I am hopeful (Simmons will join us). I’m not dependent, but I’m hopeful.
“If timing is right, it’s good for us, it’s good for him. I’m not there (in Brooklyn), I’m not around him on the day-to-day, and I know he’s working hard, it’s just if he’s healthy or not. Nothing else would hold him back.”
The report from The Athletic’s Schiffer claimed there is “skepticism both in Brooklyn and elsewhere around the league” that Simmons plays given his injury history.
One NBA executive though told The Athletic that playing in the World Cup would be a big opportunity for Simmons to “show he still has something left in the tank”.
While the door has not been closed on Simmons, the same can’t be said for veteran centre Aron Baynes, who was a notable omission from the 18-man squad that was announced on Monday.
Aron Baynes was left out. Picture: Mark StewartSource: News Corp Australia
Baynes suffered a serious neck injury during the Tokyo Olympics and faced a long road back to the basketball court, eventually returning through the NBL in 2022.
While Goorjian acknowledged Baynes had been a “great Boomer”, he admitted the 36-year-old had been left out to give an opportunity to the next generation of Australian talent.
“He has been a great Boomer and again the hard part of this is always it works in four-year cycles and we’ve got some guys we want to bring into the squad and I see this as an opportunity for the next one,” Goorjian said.
“There’s a process coming, young ones coming into it and I think it’s about the time for Aron. He’s been a great Boomer, opportunity knocks for the next man standing.”
Goorjian also described the decision to leave out Mitch Creek, who represented Australia at the 2019 FIBA World Cup, as another “tough call”.
The decision to leave out Mitch Creek was also tough. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“He was considered but again a lot of depth in that position and we had to make hard decisions and he was one of them,” added Goorjian.
When it comes to Australia’s best starting five, Suns backup center Jock Landale is likely locked in along with Simmons’ Brooklyn teammate Patty Mills and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey.
Depending on Simmons’ availability, Joe Ingles and Matisse Thybulle shape as the other leading options with Mavericks guard Josh Green another contender.
Goorjian though said there is no starting five locked in just yet, with the upcoming Cairns camp crucial to working out who plays well together.
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“We’ve got a lot of new guys that we’re introducing to this and then some guys last year that didn’t play roles in this but have gone into the NBA and moved forward, obviously guys like Giddey and Josh Green have from the Olympics to now taken a huge step,” Goorjian said.
“There’s versatility there. We’ve got some guys who can score the ball but also may be three of the best defenders in the NBA right now there. It’s going to be real interesting to put these 18 guys together and see who looks good playing with each other.
“The point you’re making there is probably the most important thing in camp, besides style of play and schemes, is who plays well together and what style we move forward with.”
The 2023 FIBA World Cup will take place from 25 August to 10 September and be co-hosted between three nations – The Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.
Australian Boomers extended 18-man squad:
Xavier Cooks, Dyson Daniels, Matthew Dellavedova, Dante Exum, Sam Froling, Josh Giddey, Chris Goulding, Josh Green, Joe Ingles, Nick Kay, Jock Landale, Thon Maker, Will McDowell-White, Patty Mills, Keanu Pinder, Duop Reath, Matisse Thybulle, Jack White
“Pulling together this extended squad has taken time – it’s been a thorough process. The coaches and I have had many discussions about getting the mix right, but I’m really pleased with where we’ve landed with the guys we’ve selected, there’s a good balance across the court,” Goorjian said.
“The fact it’s been so tough goes to show the depth of talent we have in Australian basketball right now and this extends back to all the pathway programs, the Centre of Excellence and the dedicated coaches who have been committed to growing our game, setting the standard, and getting us to this position.
“After the draw took place around a week ago and we know who and where we’re playing, we’re excited and eager to get stuck in and prepare for what will be an extremely challenging tournament.”
Josh Giddey #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder . (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Of course, Simmons could still be added to the group on a later date but for now the wait for his return to the Boomers remains.
Rising NBA star Josh Giddey was a key selection in the group which included NBA veterans Patty Mills and Joe Ingles as well as young guns Jock Landale and Dyson Daniels.
Giddey just finished a stunning second year with Oklahoma City in the NBA, averaging 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists, while point guard Daniels, who was taken at pick 8 in the NBA draft last year, just finished his first season with the New Orleans Pelicans.
The extended squad will take part in a training camp in Cairns in the lead up to the World Cup, before the final roster of 12 is named ahead of the team’s opening game in Japan on August 25.
Dyson Daniels #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Amanda Loman/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Giddey was excited to join the Boomers squad having missed out on the Tokyo Olympics where the Aussies captured a historic bronze medal.
“I’ve always dreamed of playing for the Boomers and representing Australia, so to get this opportunity is really special and I’m looking forward to competing at the World Cup,” Giddey said.
“There’s a lot of talent in this squad and I think we’ve got a good chance of matching it with every team – I’m excited for the challenge and to see what we can produce as a group on the world stage.”
The 2023 FIBA World Cup runs from 25 August to 10 September and for the first time, will be co-hosted between three nations – The Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.
Australian Boomers extended 18-man squad:
Xavier Cooks, Dyson Daniels, Matthew Dellavedova, Dante Exum, Sam Froling, Josh Giddey, Chris Goulding, Josh Green, Joe Ingles, Nick Kay, Jock Landale, Thon Maker, Will McDowell-White, Patty Mills, Keanu Pinder, Duop Reath, Matisse Thybulle, Jack White
Ben Simmons’ long-awaited Boomers return could be just a few months away.
The three-time NBA All-Star is eager to don the green and gold and represent Australia at this year’s World Cup, Boomers coach Brian Goorjian has confirmed.
Since being cut from the 2014 World Cup roster, Simmons has repeatedly prioritised his NBA commitments over national duties.
The 26-year-old, who has battled injury setbacks for the past couple of years, is yet to represent the Boomers at an Olympics or World Championships, but Goorjian confirmed the guard is keen to participate in the upcoming World Cup across the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan.
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“I think his (Ben’s) mindset is getting healthy, getting in shape and getting ready to play in this (World Cup),” Goorjian told SEN on Friday.
“And I think he has been along that line for a while and I felt it last time.
“There were unfortunate circumstances (why he didn’t play at Tokyo), but I feel like he is going to make himself available.”
Ben Simmons of the Brooklyn Nets. Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Simmons was a chance of playing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where Australia won a historic bronze medal, but instead spent the off-season working on skill development following a disappointing playoffs campaign for the Philadelphia 76ers, culminating in an ugly trade standoff.
“Our door is always open to him and during my time with the Boomers he has always been straightforward with me,” Goorjian continued.
“But that was a very tough situation (in Philadelphia) and he was in the process of change.
“It just didn’t work, but now he is in a situation where he is getting his health back to be ready to play.
“As we sit now, I think there is a really strong chance (that he plays at the World Cup).
“I also feel that Ben understands being with the Boomers and enjoying his basketball while representing his country.
“He will also be around these guys that he has grown up with. He gets that and he wants that.”
Josh Giddey claimed he will “definitely” put his hand up to play for Australia at the upcoming FIBA World Cup.
The Oklahoma City Thunder star continues to build a reputation as one of the NBA’s best young talents after helping the baby-faced side qualify for the play-in tournament.
But he’ll now get the chance to prove his worth on the international stage as the world’s best basketballers travel to Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines for the FIBA World Cup in August.
“I’ve had a couple of brief stints playing for Australia with the juniors or with the senior team a couple of years back.
“Now I think Australian talent is as good as it’s ever been. This World Cup is going to be probably the most real chance we’ve ever had to win a gold medal.
“I’ll definitely be there, and I’m really excited for it.”
Josh Giddey plans on playing for the Aussies at the upcoming FIBA World Cup. (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Giddey’s desire to represent his nation comes just days after he opened up on his frustrations at not making the Boomers squad for the Tokyo Olympics, where they achieved a bronze medal finish.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to play for my country on the biggest stage, and I think missing out on the Olympic team two years or last year was obviously tough,” Giddey said.
“I wanted to be there with them. To see them win their first medal ever for Australian basketball was a great moment.”
With the inclusion of Giddey into the Boomers squad, it strengthens what is already an incredibly talented and deep team.
Led by Patty Mills, the Aussies won the hearts of the nation at the Olympics when they emerged with the bronze medal thanks to a 107-93 win over Slovenia in the play-off match.
And it’s hard to see the core of the Olympic squad being displaced for the World Cup.
Patty Mills will look to inspire the Boomers to another medal at the FIBA World Cup. (Photo by Sarah Stier / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)Source: AFP
That means Giddey will almost certainly line up alongside Mills, Joe Ingles, Jock Landale, Josh Green and Nick Kay, with Dyson Daniels to be on the bench.
Matisse Thybulle is also a heavy favourite to be included, but the 26-year-old himself admitted he faces an uncertain World Cup future due to his contract situation as he is now a free agent.
“My plan is to play with the Boomers, but I don’t know how the summer is going to go with contracts and how the timing works,” Thybulle told CODE Sports in January.
“If everything allows for it, then definitely the plan is to play in the World Cup.”
Australia is yet to win a medal at the FIBA World Cup but Brian Goorjian’s side are coming off their best finish yet with a semi-final appearance at the 2019 edition of the tournament.
With the added experience of Tokyo in the back pocket and the rise of Giddey as a budding star in the NBA, Goorjian and his troops will hope to bring back some extra luggage in September.
Indonesia has been stripped off the Under-20 World Cup after two of the country’s top politicians called for Israel to be banned from the competition.
FIFA made the virtually unheard of move just weeks before the tournament was set to kick off.
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Indonesia and Israel do not have formal diplomatic relations, and support for the Palestinian cause in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation runs high, fuelling local opposition to hosting the Israeli team.
FIFA’s decision to find a new host — thereby nixing Indonesia’s automatic qualifying spot — puts the country’s most popular sport back in the doldrums and facing another bout of isolation.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino after being re-elected on March 16. Photo by Simon MAINA / AFPSource: AFPThe logo for the U20 World Cup.Source: Supplied
Some of the archipelago nation’s football prodigies took to social media with fury and heartbreak after losing the chance to play at what FIFA bills as the “tournament of tomorrow’s superstars”.
“Energy, time, sweat, and even blood we have put in, but in a moment failed because of political reasons. Here’s our big dream that you’ve destroyed,” wrote 19-year-old striker Rabbani Tasnim.
An Indonesian FA video showed players with heads bowed and their coach in tears after receiving the news late Wednesday that FIFA would seek a new host.
“We, the players, are now affected, not just us but all footballers,” said 18-year-old striker Hokky Caraka.
On Thursday morning, flower boards for the players popped up outside the FA headquarters in central Jakarta, including one that read “do not give up on your dream”.
Indonesians inundated the Instagram page of Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo — one of the leading candidates in next year’s presidential election — with negative comments after he opposed Israel’s participation.
Protesters in Jakarta are seen calling for Israel to be banned from the tournament. (Photo by ADEK BERRY / AFP)Source: AFP
Bali’s governor had also joined the anti-Israel chorus and around a hundred conservative Muslim protesters held an anti-Israel rally in Jakarta this month.
But there was popular support for the tournament the country was handed in 2019, with many viewing it as a source of national pride.
Jakarta pledged to guarantee Israel’s participation despite its pro-Palestinian stance, yet opposing voices became too loud for FIFA.
“This is truly a very painful incident for the Indonesian people. Those who made the noise and made us fail … must be held accountable,” said Akmal Marhali, expert at football watchdog Save Our Soccer.
Indonesian officials said losing the tournament could cost the country hundreds of millions of dollars.
FIFA threatened further sanctions and could exclude Indonesia from 2026 World Cup qualifiers that begin in October. It was banned for a year in 2015 over government interference.
A Muslim woman participates in a protest to reject Israel from the 2023 U20 World Cup (Photo by ADEK BERRY / AFP)Source: AFP
But for Indonesia’s fervent fans, it was the loss of their first ever major football tournament that hurt the most.
“I am very disappointed because it has been my dream to watch Indonesia hosting a global football event,” said 40-year-old supporter Jarnawi, who like many Indonesians goes by one name.
The game in the country has long been dogged by shaky infrastructure and fan violence, and is still reeling from a deadly stadium stampede last year that killed more than 130 people.
But it was the clash of politics and sport that ultimately cost it the tournament many had long hoped for.
“We are talking about youths who want to play soccer. They do not have any more interests,” said pundit Justin Lhaksana.
“Why is this issue blindly mixed with political games?”
The last nation to lose hosting rights of a World Cup tournament was Colombia, who pulled out of hosting the 1986 World Cup due to financial issues.
There were calls to strip Qatar of the 2022 World Cup amid claims corruption led to the tiny nation being handed the tournament.
Major concerns were also raised about migrant workers being killed while building stadiums and infrastructure in Qatar, with reports claiming that thousands had died.
Todd Blanchfield once again lit it up for the Australian Boomers, making his immediate NBL future all the more fascinating despite being contracted to the Perth Wildcats, and now that the FIBA World Cup qualifying is done, attention turns to the NBL23 Championship Series.
Following the NBL’s Play-In Tournament and then semi-final series, the timing was somewhat unfortunate for a FIBA window to present with the last of the World Cup qualifying matches to be played.
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However, it did offer the chance for plenty of NBL talent to represent their countries and that included two more big wins in Melbourne for the Boomers but the New Zealand Tall Blacks were loaded with talent too — and so was the South Sudan team who made history amidst a bit of controversy.
There’s plenty happening across the NBL too with the Brisbane Bullets loading up their coaching staff under Justin Schueller and having now re-signed DJ Mitchell while the South East Melbourne Phoenix are searching for their new coach following Simon Mitchell standing down.
With the eight teams out of the championship race, they have all turned their attention to NBL24 but for the Sydney Kings and New Zealand Breakers, they begin their best-of-five series over the NBL23 crown this Friday night at Qudos Bank Arena.
COOKS IGNORING ANY OUTSIDE DISTRACTIONS
Whether it’s outside noise trying to bring down the Sydney Kings as a team or talking down his own MVP credentials or NBA aspirations, captain Xavier Cooks is having none of it leading into the Championship Series starting Friday night.
There’s no mistaking that the Kings do carry themselves with a swagger that starts with their ownership and carries through to their coach and playing group, but they can also back up that self-confidence.
That has also seen them put a target on their backs which does stem right back to the Grand Final series of last season where they embraced the roles of villains against the fairytale story of the Tasmania JackJumpers on the way to winning that championship.
This season again they have been happy to embrace the fact that they feel people might not like them and you can’t argue with the success they’ve had finishing the season in top spot and then overcoming the Cairns Taipans in three games of the semi finals to reach the Championship Series.
Along the way, Cooks has turned himself from a championship winning captain and Grand Final MVP last season to now being the MVP of this regular season in the NBL and to be knocking on the door of an NBA opportunity.
Xavier Cooks.Source: Getty Images
Cooks has also been happy to express his thoughts through the media and talk up how good he thinks the Kings are and how unstoppable he feels they are, and isn’t afraid to stir up some emotions whether it’s from people on social media or in opposition buildings he plays in.
Cooks embraces that and takes anything those ‘keyboard warriors’ especially have to say like a grain of salt as he prepares to lead the Kings into battle in the Championship Series against the Breakers beginning Friday night at Qudos Bank Arena.
Cooks’ focus is on a fascinating power forward battle between himself and Jarrell Brantley in the series ahead, but when talking about how the Kings appear to be the team everyone loves to hate, he embraces that.
“A lot of those people are just people out west bored at home and tweeting stuff,” Cooks said.
“Either you love the Kings or you hate the Kings, it’s creating a buzz in Sydney and that is what it is about.
“I care when we go into an arena, and we get booed. That kind of fuels me up and gives me energy, but the Instagram and Twitter I don’t care about.”
BREAKERS PROVIDE PLATFORM FOR FUTURE NBA STAR TO SHINE
The New Zealand Breakers have quickly become the masters of the NBL’s Next Stars program and as a result of their foresight, 18-year-old French excitement machine Rayan Rupert has the chance to show his wares in the Championship Series.
While the immediate focus for the Breakers is on trying to win the franchise’s fifth NBL championship over the next two weeks, in the bigger picture making themselves a destination club for future NBA players is something they continue to excel out.
It’s been slim pickings in terms of success for the Breakers in recent years. After winning four NBL championships in five seasons between 2011-15, they hadn’t won a finals game of any sort since 2016 or played in one since 2018 up until this year.
However, even during those lean years, the Breakers have embraced their role of being a destination to produce future NBA stars and you only need to look at RJ Hampton, Ousmane Dieng and Hugo Besson as examples of players to get drafted on the back of the development there.
That’s why French teenager Rupert chose to go to the Breakers this season. He had all the options in the world at his feet about what to do this season to get himself ready for the 2023 NBA Draft.
HS commentators LOSE IT over wild finish | 01:09
He could have spent a year in college in the United States, he could have joined up with a G-League team or becoming part of the Ignite program, or stayed in France or play anywhere throughout Europe.
However, having seen the success of Besson and Dieng last season at the Breakers and how much they developed to end up being drafted to the NBL despite the situation the team was in meant that it became an easy decision.
It’s paid off and even if Rupert’s numbers aren’t jumping off the page with 6.5 points and 2.3 rebounds a game across the season, the improvement he’s shown physically and with his game since joining New Zealand has been stark.
He is now a much better all-round player, is someone who can impact the game with or without the ball in his hands, and at both ends of the floor, and is a starter on a team now attempting to win the championship.
Perhaps even more impressively is the fact that he continued to improve both as a player and physically even when he was sidelined with a broken arm.
He now looks every bit a player ready for the NBA and could go close to being a top 10 draft pick in a few months’ time, but right now his coach Mody Maor couldn’t be more impressed.
“Man, is he good. He’s not scared of the moment and is playing with complete freedom and aggressiveness on both sides of the floor,” Maor said.
“I felt he wreaked havoc in that series against the JackJumpers for us for a few moments on ball guards and was really disruptive.
“I think everybody likes to pinpoint the stuff that he does on defence because it’s really clear to see when you have this 6’7 gazelle running around and pressing the ball, and doing amazing things.
“But he is one of our best north-south kind of players, he is aggressive and gets to the rim, he finishes and can make a read and pass. He is fantastic.”
BLANCHFIELD’S FUTURE FASCINATING AFTER BOOMERS EXPLOSION
Todd Blanchfield scored 51 points across two games for the Australian Boomers after taking the last 18 matches of NBL23 to do that with the Perth Wildcats and while still contracted, a former ‘Cats great believes he should look to move on.
Blanchfield has had a strong 373-game career in the NBL but never has he found himself in a situation like in NBL23 where he was largely relegated to the role of a cheerleader at the Wildcats as he fell out of the rotation of coach John Rillie.
At just 31 and with a sound body, and no signs of his game slowing down, Blanchfield appears to have plenty left in the tank and remains contracted to the Wildcats for a further two seasons.
Despite that, it might very well be in the best interests of all involved to look to find a way out of that contract and for Blanchfield to find a new home.
The Wildcats don’t appear to have a role for him. Michael Harris played ahead of him this season as a development player and looks likely to be upgraded to a roster spot. With Bryce Cotton, Tai Webster and Corey Webster there playing similar roles, it’s unlikely things will change in NBL24.
It all comes down ultimately to what Blanchfield wants. If he goes to the Wildcats and says he would rather move on, it would be unlikely they would stand in his way because really, it frees up some good money for them and a roster spot.
Todd Blanchfield of Australia, Daniel Grida of Australia, Mason Peatling of Australia and Rhys Vague of Australia look on during the national anthem during the FIBA World Cup Qualification match between Australia Boomers and Kazakhstan.Source: Getty Images
Blanchfield could very well want to remain in the Wildcats and want to earn some minutes. It’s a big gamble to take because if things pan out similarly, he would have wasted two seasons of a career that should be seeing him spend much more time on the court.
It might very well be that the Wildcats only allow Blanchfield to leave if he doesn’t play in the NBL, but he would be a natural to follow the likes of Angus Brant, Nick Kay and Rhys Vague to Japan should he want to.
Ultimately it’s all going to play out in the coming weeks, but what Blanchfield did prove during the FIBA window for the Boomers is what he’s still capable of.
Across the last 17 games of the season, he scored a total of 30 points and didn’t score at all in the last six matches the Wildcats played in including the two finals.
But across the two games for the Boomers, he scored 51 points while shooting a combined 18/28 from the field and 11/19 from three-point land.
That included 31 points on 7/12 three-point shooting against Kazakhstan on Sunday which is the best individual performance from a Boomers player since what Patty Mills did in the bronze medal match in Tokyo.
Six-time Wildcats champion Damian Martin feels it would be in the best interests of Blanchfield to look to continue his career elsewhere.
“I don’t think he’s past it, he can still put points on the board so if he wants to stay, there’s a contract they will honour but he would like the challenge,” Martin said on SEN WA.
“He is competitive and even though he got leapfrogged in the pecking order during the season even by Michael Harris who John Rillie went with. I’m sure other clubs will be making that phone call to the Wildcats, it won’t be the call going out.
“It will be the calls that are coming in asking what you are doing with Todd because you didn’t play him many minutes, we could use him and can we put to his management team and then let Todd make the decision once he knows what the Wildcats and another team are happy with.
“But he won’t be going out there saying he wants out, but he will have to look at it if something is presented. When it comes to Todd, with Michael Harris seeming to be more in favour with JR, it makes it even harder for him to get out there next season in that position.”
TALL BLACKS DEPTH HIGHLIGHTING STRENGTH OF NZ BASKETBALL
The Australian Boomers aren’t the only nation gearing up for a strong FIBA World Cup campaign with the New Zealand Tall Blacks looking set to launch an assault on a best ever result with their deepest contingent of players coming together.
Not only are the New Zealand Breakers back competing for the NBL championship this season as they prepare for the Championship Series against the Sydney Kings starting with Game 1 on Friday night, but the overall state of New Zealand basketball is strong.
Just starting with that Breakers team and there’s Izayah Le’afa, Tom Abercrombie, Tom Vodanovich, Rob Loe, Sam Timmins, Daniel Fotu and Alex McNaught as homegrown talents all important members of the squad three games away from the franchise’s fifth NBL championship.
Then you look at the Tall Blacks squad who have qualified for the World Cup to be played in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines starting in late August and it highlights just how strong of a position New Zealand basketball is in right now.
The squad that won their last two qualifying matches against Saudi Arabia and Lebanon didn’t feature any Breakers players but still consisted of NBL players Sam Waardenburg, Reuben Te Rangi, Tohi Smith-Milner, Hyrum Harris and Tyrell Harrison.
Along with them were former NBL players Jordan Ngatai, Taylor Britt, Ethan Rusbatch and Jordan Hunt with Isaac Fotu leading the charge including 23 points and seven rebounds on 10/12 in Monday night’s 106-91 win against Lebanon.
That squad, like the Boomers team, might very well feature precious few players who will be there for the Tall Blacks during the World Cup with coach Pero Cameron to have some tough calls to make on who makes that final 12.
That Tall Blacks World Cup squad will likely feature NBA centre Steven Adams with Finn Delany and Yanni Wetzell to be cornerstones up front along with Tom Abercrombie, Corey and Tai Webster, and if healthy, Shea Ili to settle into the back court along with rising star Flynn Cameron.
Trying to replicate the heroics of a fourth place finish from 2002 is a lofty goal, but this Tall Blacks team is well placed for a World Cup assault and that’s why a veteran of the national team like Jordan
Ngatai is so excited whether he makes the final 12 or not.
“What you love about it is having those competition for spots and I know for myself, I’ve got a lot to do to try and get in that 12 but I love that challenge,” Ngatai said.
“It’s awesome that I get to compete against these but then hopefully get to be their teammates as well. I think this is probably the first time in a long time where New Zealand basketball has had a great depth chart in basically every position.
“Especially guys who have been in the States and then making a good enough impression during the Aussie NBL. Like Sam had a great Aussie NBL and deserved everything, and he’s done great to bring that to the Tall Blacks has been great.”
NBL’S SOUTH SUDANESE CONTINGENT CRUCIAL IN MAKING HISTORY
South Sudanese players are becoming key players on plenty of NBL teams at the moment and they have translated that into a passion to represent their nation and lead them to the FIBA World Cup even if their fans weren’t allowed to cheer them on in Egypt.
Just this past season and all you have to do is look at the players in the NBL from a South Sudanese background and you get an idea of how proud a basketball nation it is, and why the players have become so passionate to represent it on the international stage.
South Sudan has qualified for the World Cup starting in late August across Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines having dominated the African Qualifying stages with the world’s youngest nation preparing now for their first major tournament.
You wouldn’t rule out the possibility of them being able to have a genuine impact at the World Cup either.
You just look at the NBL talent they have to choose from and it’s a terrific starting point. Just this past season, and Sundy Dech, Lual Diing, Deng Acouth, Bul Kuol, Majok Deng, Deng Deng, Josh Duach, Makuach Maluach, Majok Majok, Junior Madut, Kouat Noi and Jackson Makoi were part of the league.
That will only be a starting point for the team that South Sudan will take into a historic World Cup campaign but for a nation that barely existed a decade ago, it continues to face some unexpected hurdles.
The African qualifying stage concluded over the last week in Egypt, but that presented a whole new set of challenges.
All South Sudan had to do to secure their World Cup spot was to win one of their three matches, which they did first up beating Senegal 83-75, but it was a result that created history that was soured by what happened outside the stadium.
A strong contingent of South Sudanese supporters had travelled to Egypt to support their team, but upon arrival were informed they were not to be permitted inside the stadiums to watch their team play, and ultimately make history.
Officially security reasons were used by Egyptian officials for not allowing either the South Sudanese or Senegal supporters into the building, but either way it took away from a once in a lifetime occasion for the players to celebrate making history with their supporters.
South Sudan might be a new nation but has a rich history with basketball and Luol Deng is a significant part of that.
Boomers beat Bahrain in run to world cup | 01:01
He was a genuine NBA star especially for a decade at the Chicago Bulls during a career that spanned 964 appearances and saw him earn two All-Star selections.
He is now president of South Sudanese basketball and was interim coach in Egypt for the team. While proud of what his team accomplished, his anger over the supporters not being allowed in boiled over.
“This is going out to FIBA, this is going out to the Egyptian Federation. Whatever’s been going on this week, I hope everything is being recorded how teams are being treated and everything’s been programmed,” Deng said
“That’s an incredible story not only for FIBA but for African basketball. Our fans are travelling from states, travelling from countries, flying in. Nobody brings in more fans than South Sudan right now.
“For our fans to show up at the stadium, there was no notice. We were never told that there would be no fans allowed in the game. We were told fans were allowed to come.
“FIBA should be ashamed, the Egyptian Federation should be ashamed. Whatever is going on here, it needs to stop. Basketball doesn’t need this. This is a great story and we’ve been robbed today from celebrating with our fans who came all the way out here.
“That’s the biggest disappointment that I have. We make history and our fans are now allowed on the day of making it. They didn’t announce it yesterday or last week, they announced it today. FIBA needs to look at that.”
