Rising star Josh Giddey has been left out of the Boomers’ 12-man squad gunning for gold at the Tokyo Olympics.
The 18-year-old is expected to go early in this month’s NBA draft but could not find a spot in Brian Goorjian’s rotation.
Instead in a nod to the strength of the squad, the NBL rookie of the year was relegated to one of three emergency spots.
That will still see him play exhibition games in Las Vegas against the United States, Nigeria and Argentina before the side heads to Japan.
NBA All-Star Ben Simmons’ withdrawal last week and Andrew Bogut’s retirement are the two major setbacks for the world No.3 side that’s chasing a maiden international medal.
But in Patty Mills and Joe Ingles, who will both play in a fourth Games, as well as Aron Baynes, Matthew Dellavedova, Dante Exum and new addition Matisse Thybulle, there is ample NBA pedigree.
NBA rookie Josh Green has also made the team, while Brisbane guard Nathan Sobey surged from outside the initial squad to into the final 12 thanks to a superb NBL season.
In-form Europe-based forward Brock Motum and Sydney talent Xavier Cooks are the other emergencies, Chris Goulding will play in a second Games and Nick Kay, Jock Landale and Duop Reath will bolster the front court headed by Baynes.
The Boomers have finished fourth in the last World Cup and Olympics, both times narrowly missing medals in devastating circumstances.
“Unfinished business is in the forefront of all our minds,” Baynes said.
“We’re all excited to get out there and chase that gold medal.
“There’s so much young talent coming through in Australian basketball that we’re excited to incorporate into the Boomers system and hopefully let us take that next step.
“When we can mix that and incorporate that team chemistry quickly, that will be key to our success.”
Goorjian coached the Boomers at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.
“There was certain guys that covered certain holes and you didn’t really know that until you get them here and started competing,” Goorjian said of their week-long Los Angeles camp.
“Back to where it was (in 2004) and where it is now, it’s got a cause.
“Those guys are driven, they’ve missed out, they’re invested and not going to surrender easily.
“They’ve put 12 years in to do something special at these Games.”
BOOMERS OLYMPIC SQUAD
Patty Mills, Matthew Dellavedova, Joe Ingles, Aron Baynes, Matisse Thybulle, Dante Exum, Josh Green, Jock Landale, Chris Goulding, Nick Kay, Duop Reath, Nathan Sobey.
AAP
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