Australia national team (Boomers)

[rikhardur2]

AUS – Boomers’ Newley out of action after knee-op

ISTANBUL (2010 FIBA World Championship) – Australia international Brad Newley is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines while he recovers from knee surgery.

The Boomers forward, who is playing for Besiktas in Turkey, had an operation to repair a torn meniscus and will now need several weeks of rehabilitation.

“I’ve been out one month and I’m going to be out another month, so it hasn’t been great,” Newley said to SEN Sport Radio’s ‘In the Paint’ program on Sunday night.

“I started playing really well before I had the injury but the last month has been pretty quiet for me.

“The important thing is the team continues to win as we’re trying to win the Turkish league.”

The 24-year-old forward was in Istanbul last week when the draw was held for the FIBA World Championship that is to be staged in Turkey next year.

Australia fell into Group A with Argentina, Serbia, Germany, Angola and Jordan and Newley, who should be fully fit when the event tips off in September, admits it’s going to be a tough campaign.

“I haven’t been able to play too much so I’ve been doing a fair bit of analyzing of that sort of stuff,” Newley said.

“It’s a good group for us. People can say, ‘it’s strong, it’s strong’, but no matter who you play, on their day they’re going to be tough.

“Angola can surprise you, Jordan we don’t know anything about. Then you’ve got Serbia, Germany and Argentina and they’re all proven customers.

“The most important thing for the Boomers is for us to be together for as long as possible and to try and have our best group and I think this is the best group we’ve had for a number of years.

“At the recent Olympics we started to perform really well towards the end and particularly the young guys stepped up and I think we can put in a good performance on Turkey.”

Indeed, Australia were one of the hottest teams at the Beijing Olympics when they reached the Quarter-Finals but they took on the heavily-favored United States and suffered a comprehensive defeat.

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/37974/arti.html

 

[rikhardur2]

AUS – Brown hails ‘formidable’ starting five of Group A opponents Argentina

SAN ANTONIO (2010 FIBA World Championship) - Australia coach Brett Brown believes a full-strength Argentina will be tough for any side to face at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey.

The South Americans are fearless competitors even without their main weapons, as they proved two years ago in Beijing by overcoming the absence of the injured Manu Ginobili and beating Lithuania in the bronze-medal game.

Andres Nocioni was also nowhere near 100% as he was carrying a knee injury in that game.

If Argentina are in their rhythm on August 29 when they go up against Australia in Kayseri, it’s going to be a very tough game for the Boomers.

“A lot of their players I know just from my experience here in the NBA,” said Brown, an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs – Ginobili’s team.

“You know their team is stacked with NBA talent and it reeks of a very veteran and mature team that has gone through a lot of experiences on the international stage together for some time now.

“I know Spain has recently emerged as the team outside the United States to be at the forefront, but you can never underestimate a team with Manu Ginobili, Fabricio Oberto, Luis Scola, Carlos Delfino and Andres Nocioni in it.

“You’re not going to get a more formidable starting five than the experience they have in that team that they can roll out.

“I know a lot about Argentina and it all amounts to a tremendous amount of respect.”

Argentina thumped Australia 85-68 on the second day of the men’s tournament in Beijing, a result that contributed to Australia having to face the heavily-favored United States in the Quarter-Finals.

Group A has such good balance with Serbia, Angola, Jordan and Germany also involved that Brown doesn’t expect any easy games.

African champions Angola are particularly tricky as they were arguably the best of the fifth seeds in last month’s draw.

“They are always dangerous,” Brown warned, “always somebody that you can’t take your eye off, always somebody that’s extremely athletic, that can score in the blink of an eye.

“History says you can’t overlook them.”

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/38043/arti.html

 

[rocketstar47]

...go boomers

 

[Simonas123]

Aussie bigman Aron Baynes doing fairly well in Lithuania. Here's an article 'bout him. http://www.lithuaniabasketball.com/news-236-aron-baynes---the-path-of-improvement.html

 

[rikhardur2]

AUS - 'Rejuvenated' Nielsen excited about representing Australia again

VALENCIA (2010 FIBA World Championship) - Matt Nielsen is "rejuvenated" and hungry to put on the Australia shirt again.

The power forward will play for the Boomers this summer when they compete at the FIBA World Championship in Turkey.

Nielsen, 32, competed at the last two Olympic Games and he had believed heading into the 2008 event in Beijing that it would be his swan song with the national team.

A funny thing happened.

Australia, soundly beaten in their opening two games, then won three straight to advance to the Quarter-Finals where eventual champions Team USA beat them.

The battling performance in China convinced Nielsen to continue with Australia.

“I'd thought I'd finished with the national team going into the (2008) Olympics, but because of the way we finished, we played so well down the stretch, it really inspired me to keep going,” he said to FIBA.com.

“I saw the talent that we have with these young guys. It's very exciting.”

He will therefore be in the squad when Brett Brown's team goes up against Argentina, Serbia, Germany, Angola and Jordan this summer in Preliminary Round Group A.

Australia will need a strong Nielsen, and the likes of Partizan Belgrade center Aleks Maric, to have a good tournament, something that is especially true with Andrew Bogut now an uncertainty after fracturing his hand last week while playing for Milwaukee in the NBA.

“Obviously this injury that Bogut received in the last week, that pretty much wipes him out,” Nielsen said.

“He's going to be a big loss because he was playing himself into being one of the top two or three centers in the NBA which is unbelievable. So he will be sorely missed.

“But I still think we have a lot of talented guys. Hopefully if we work this (Aleks) Maric situation out, he's going to be very important for as well.”

Maric, 25, has played for Australia at junior level but his parents hail from Serbia.

Serbian Basketball Federation president Dragan Kapicic said in December that Maric wants to represent the country.

Nielsen, who is on the books of Power Electronics Valencia in Spain's ACB and is gearing up for the Eurocup Final Four in Vitoria April 17-18, spoke to FIBA.com.

FIBA: Matt, what is your read on the Maric situation?

Matt Nielsen: History tells me that I don't know anything. I just wait and see how it pans out. I don't really understand the situation. I know he played for Australia in the juniors. I know he's an Australian boy. I don't understand how there is any kind of conversation. This is basketball and that's the way it goes. You have to live with it, but I don't understand how we even talk about it.

FIBA: Group A will be tough because in addition to Argentina, Serbia and Germany are African powerhouse Angola and Asia's third-place team last year, Jordan.

Matt Nielsen: "Obviously they are must-win games. That's the thing. I love basketball, I love my job. Since I was young, I wanted to represent my country and I wanted to go to an Olympic Games. That was my main focus. I haven't been to a World Championship before and I'm looking forward to going.

FIBA: Can Australia make an impact?

Matt Nielsen: I would love to be able to take a medal for Australia, that's always the goal, yet we have stiff competition in the rounds, but that's the way it goes. I feel really rejuvenated. I had a good rest last off-season and feel as good as I have in years, so it's good.

FIBA: Now the coach is not Brian Goorjian, the man that led Australia for several years, but Brett Brown. Goorjian had wanted to continue after the Olympics but Australia went with Brown. Did you have an opinion on that?

Matt Nielsen: Goorj did a great job for us, and I appreciated everything he did along the way. They just decided it was time for a change. I played for Brett for three years before in Sydney. I think he brings freshness and he's looking to enjoy the head job. He's got a great opportunity and will bring a lot of energy to it.

FIBA: Valencia seems to be the perfect place for an Australian because it's warm here and you have the sea. Do you enjoy living here?

Matt Nielsen: Valencia is nice. It's very similar to home. The adjustment isn't too bad. The family enjoys it.

And you took in Las Fallas recently and got to see some amazing fireworks and witness parades all week long?

Matt Nielsen: Las Fallas is great. It's very foreign. It's foreign to people in Madrid, but it's a very Valencian thing. This year we took it in and it was great.

Jeff Taylor
FIBA

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/inte/p/newsid/39312/arti.html

 

[Saskibaloia]

"BOOMERS" News - Australia's National Team

"BOOMERS" News - Australia's National Team

Here's a thread to talk, analyse and debate about anything related to the Australian National Team - "The Boomers" especially towards the build up to the 2010 FIBA World Championships.

 

[Saskibaloia]

Australia vs Argentina Friendly Series

Australia vs Argentina Friendly Series

Basketball Australia was able to secure a 3 games series against the highest ranked team in the world: Argentina.

The 3 games will be played in Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne. Thus, I am upset that non of the games will be played in Sydney. I would have gone to the game and would have worn my Argentinian Rugby Jersey - Los Pumas which, I'm very fond of.

This will be a great opportunity for basketball in Australia to have such a quality side to come and play a series of games against our national team.

Unfortunately, our NBA star will be missing however, we will be nicely equiped for the series. Besides, NBA players Houston Rockets' David Andersen, Minnesota Timberwolves' Nathan Jawai and Portland Trailblazers' Patty Mills we feature EuroCup Final MVP: Matty Nielsen who is ready to not only lead his team but possibly lead his team to medal contention something that he has been pushing for in the last 6 years or so.

Even if Argentina does not field all of their five NBA players, I am more than certain that Australia will have its hands full especially since so many of the Argentinean players play in the 2nd (Spain's ACB) and 4th (Italy's Lega A) best domestic league in the world.

 

[mvblair2]

I wouldn't count Argentina out for those three friendlies. Even without Bogut, Australia is a very powerful team. Nielsen is another defensive-minded player who can greab rebounds. Newley, Ingles, and Barlow can put points on the board and will keep the forward positions in check.

Frankly, I think the Boomers weakest link is their playmaker. I'm sure Patty Mills is a good player, but I don't know who else Australia has. Mills is quick, but can he put the ball in a position where the forwards can score? I don't know. If I'd seen him play a little more in Portland this year, maybe I'd know the answer, but as it is, I'm just not sure.

 

[Saskibaloia]

Frankly, I think the Boomers weakest link is their playmaker. I'm sure Patty Mills is a good player, but I don't know who else Australia has. Mills is quick, but can he put the ball in a position where the forwards can score? I don't know. If I'd seen him play a little more in Portland this year, maybe I'd know the answer, but as it is, I'm just not sure.

That's why more than likely Patty Mills will probably be playing 40 to 45 mins per game.

 

[donmar]

That's why more than likely Patty Mills will probably be playing 40 to 45 mins per game.

How about CJ Bruton?.. he's a great PG and has been in the ANBL's mythical team for the last three years... did he retired from international basketball?...

 

[Saskibaloia]

How about CJ Bruton?.. he's a great PG and has been in the ANBL's mythical team for the last three years... did he retired from international basketball?...

The guy is getting old. He is still doing well in the NBL but he's not the same like he was back in 2006 and 2008.

 

[donmar]

The guy is getting old. He is still doing well in the NBL but he's not the same like he was back in 2006 and 2008.

I did notice that he is not as good as a year ago but still doing well in the league... old age is catching up..

 

[PRSURF]

CJ Brutton is playing in Puerto Rico with Shawn Redhage!

 

[Saskibaloia]

CJ Brutton is playing in Puerto Rico with Shawn Redhage!

That's good that those two players are playing in the Puerto Rican league because the Puerto Rican league, I assume is higher level than the Australian Basketball League thus, those two guys are maintaining their level or increasing it.

 

[rikhardur2]

AUS – Brown looks ahead to Boomers’ preparations for Turkey

SAN ANTONIO (2010 FIBA World Championship) - Australia coach Brett Brown can firmly focus on the Boomers’ preparations for the FIBA World Championship now that his season with the San Antonio Spurs has drawn to a close.

The Spurs were swept 4-0 in the NBA Western Conference semi-finals by Phoenix, allowing Brown, an assistant coach with San Antonio, to change hats and start thinking about this summer.
“I am excited to get our players and staff together next month to begin our journey to Istanbul,” Brown said.

“We respect and understand the road we must take in order to achieve something special on this highly competitive world stage.”

The Aussies, who will be in Group A in Kayseri, Turkey, with Argentina, Serbia, Germany, Angola and Jordan, will be at a training camp in Perth from June 20-24 before taking on the Argentinians in three games at the Boomers World Challenge.

On June 25, they will face the South Americans in Perth and then on the 27th, Brown’s men will play Argentina in Melbourne.

They will face Sergio Hernandez’s side one last time in the preparation period on the 29th in Adelaide.

Following a second training camp at The South Port School on the Gold Coast, Australia will fly to Liuzhou, China, to defend their Borislav Stankovic Cup title.

Opponents will be Slovenia (July 28), Iran (29) and China (31). The final will be played on August 1.

Australia will return home for a third training camp in Melbourne from August 7-13 before travelling to Lyon, France, for the Four Nations Tournament August 22-24.

The national sides Brown’s team will square off against in France will be the host nation, Ivory Coast and Brazil.

Australia’s first game at the FIBA World Championship will be on August 28 against Jordan.

“It’s vital for our World Championship preparations that we play quality opposition and fortunately Basketball Australia has been able to organize that,” Brown said.

“We’re excited about the Boomers’ international schedule for 2010.

“Every team we are going to play in the lead-up will also be at the World Championship.

“We will get the best possible chance to test ourselves before heading to Turkey.

“We’ve also been able to lock in appropriate training camps that will assist us as we look to bring together players who have been playing all over the world this past season.

“We particularly need to build team cohesion during this period.”

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/39932/arti.html

 

[c_d]

Boomers vie for World Challenge selection
08.06.10

Basketball Australia is pleased to announce the 13 athletes invited to a Golden Star Boomers Workout at the Australian Institute of Sport next week.

The Workout, from June 12-14 at the AIS, is a crucial part of the selection process for the Boomers World Challenge against Argentina on June 25, 27 and 29 in Perth, Melbourne and Adelaide respectively.

The best performers from the Workout will join several overseas-based Boomers at Boomers training camp from June 20-24 in Perth ahead of the series opener.

Featuring in the list of invitees are 2009 Stankovic Cup winners Matthew Dellavedova and Damian Martin, and 2009 FIBA Oceania Championship Boomer Adam Gibson.

Stephen Weigh was awarded with selection after showing some great form in a championship-winning National Basketball League season alongside Martin at the Perth Wildcats and Anthony Petrie and Chris Goulding return to the Boomers after helping the Gold Coast Blaze to the finals; Goulding posted career best numbers in 2009/10.

Getting their first call-up to the Boomers are 2009 Australian University Representatives Ben Allen and Anatoly Bose. The pair had spectacular seasons in college in the USA; Allen, alongside Boomers teammate Dellavedova, advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament with St Mary’s University while Bose averaged a career best 21.1 points in 2009-10 for Nicholls State.

Basketball Australia CEO Larry Sengstock said the wealth of talent in the group was a sign of the strength of the NBL with nine of the 13 players contracted to NBL teams.

“This is a great opportunity for these players to build on from a fantastic season in the NBL into the senior national team and use this Workout to push for a spot in the Argentina Series, and the World Championship to follow.”

While Olympian Patrick Mills yesterday declared his availability for the Argentina Series and will take part in the Perth camp, the full squad to attend the camp will be named at the conclusion of the Workout on June 15.

The team to contest the Boomers World Challenge against world number one Argentina will be announced on June 24.


Boomers Workout Invitees
Name/Height/Age/Position/Club

Ben ALLEN / 211cm / 23 / Centre / Townsville Crocodiles
Anatoly BOSE / 200cm / 21 / Guard / Nicholls State University (US)
Jason CADEE / 185cm / 19 / Guard / Gold Coast Blaze
Matthew DELLAVEDOVA / 190cm / 19 / Guard / St Mary’s University (US)
Adam GIBSON / 188cm / 23 / Guard / Gold Coast Blaze
Chris GOULDING / 191cm / 21 / Guard / Gold Coast Blaze
Alex LOUGHTON / 205cm / 27 / Forward / Cairns Taipans
Ater MAJOK / 208cm / 22 / Forward / University of Connecticut (US)
Steven MARKOVIC / 190cm / 25 / Guard / KK Crvena Zvezda Beograd (Serbia)
Damian MARTIN / 188cm / 25 / Guard / Perth Wildcats
Luke NEVILL / 216cm / 24 / Centre / Melbourne Tigers
Anthony PETRIE / 203cm / 27 / Forward / Gold Coast Blaze
Stephen WEIGH / 198cm / 21 / Guard / Perth Wildcats

http://www.basketball.net.au/index....=1370&tx_ttnews[backPid]=284&cHash=8f239fa3c4

 

[Saskibaloia]

Friendly Series: Australia vs Argentina

Friendly Series: Australia vs Argentina

Boomers Vie for World Challenge Spot
June 08, 2010, 12:05 PM AEST
By: Kimberley Lewis

Basketball Australia is pleased to announce the 13 athletes invited to a Golden Star Boomers Workout at the AIS next week.

The Workout, from June 12-14 at the AIS, is a crucial part of the selection process for the Boomers World Challenge against Argentina on June 25, 27 and 29 in Perth, Melbourne and Adelaide respectively.

The best performers from the Workout will join several overseas-based Boomers at Boomers training camp from June 20-24 in Perth ahead of the series opener.

Featuring in the list of invitees are 2009 Stankovic Cup winners Matthew Dellavedova and Damian Martin, and 2009 FIBA Oceania Championship Boomer Adam Gibson.

Stephen Weigh was awarded with selection after showing some great form in a championship-winning National Basketball League season alongside Martin at the Perth Wildcats and Anthony Petrie and Chris Goulding return to the Boomers after helping the Gold Coast Blaze to the finals; Goulding posted career best numbers in 2009/10.

Getting their first call-up to the Boomers are 2009 Australian University Representatives Ben Allen and Anatoly Bose. The pair had spectacular seasons in college in the USA; Allen, alongside Boomers teammate Dellavedova, advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament with St Mary’s University while Bose averaged a career best 21.1 points in 2009-10 for Nicholls State.

Basketball Australia CEO Larry Sengstock said the wealth of talent in the group was a sign of the strength of the NBL with nine of the 13 players contracted to NBL teams.

“This is a great opportunity for these players to build on from a fantastic season in the NBL into the senior national team and use this Workout to push for a spot in the Argentina Series, and the World Championship to follow.”

While Olympian Patrick Mills yesterday declared his availability for the Argentina Series and will take part in the Perth camp, the full squad to attend the camp will be named at the conclusion of the Workout on June 15.

The team to contest the Boomers World Challenge against world number one Argentina will be announced on June 24.

Boomers Workout Invitees
Name/Height/Age/Position/Club

Ben ALLEN / 211cm / 23 / Centre / Townsville Crocodiles
Anatoly BOSE / 200cm / 21 / Guard / Nicholls State University (US)
Jason CADEE / 185cm / 19 / Guard / Gold Coast Blaze
Matthew DELLAVEDOVA / 190cm / 19 / Guard / St Mary’s University (US)
Adam GIBSON / 188cm / 23 / Guard / Gold Coast Blaze
Chris GOULDING / 191cm / 21 / Guard / Gold Coast Blaze
Alex LOUGHTON / 205cm / 27 / Forward / Cairns Taipans
Ater MAJOK / 208cm / 22 / Forward / University of Connecticut (US)
Steven MARKOVIC / 190cm / 25 / Guard / KK Crvena Zvezda Beograd (Serbia)
Damian MARTIN / 188cm / 25 / Guard / Perth Wildcats
Luke NEVILL / 216cm / 24 / Centre / Melbourne Tigers
Anthony PETRIE / 203cm / 27 / Forward / Gold Coast Blaze
Stephen WEIGH / 198cm / 21 / Guard / Perth Wildcats

Boomers World Challenge 2010

Game One Friday 25 June Challenge Stadium, Perth
Tickets from www.ticketmaster.com.au or call 136 100

Game Two Sunday 27 June State Netball Hockey Centre, Melbourne
Tickets from www.ticketmaster.com.au or call 136 100

Game Three Tuesday 29 June Brett Maher Court at The Dome, Adelaide
Tickets from www.proticket.com.au or call 1300 12 10 12

 

[c_d]

Boomers squad named for Argentina series
16.06.10

Basketball Australia is pleased to confirm the 15 athletes invited to attend the Golden Star Boomers Camp from June 20-24 at the new WA Basketball Centre in Perth in preparation for the Boomers three-game series against Argentina.

The team to contest the Boomers World Challenge against the world number one ranked Argentineans will be selected following the training camp.

Leading the squad is NBA point guard Patrick Mills alongside his Beijing teammates Brad Newley, Joe Ingles and Mark Worthington.

2009 FIBA Oceania Championship Boomers Matthew Dellavedova, Adam Gibson, Aron Baynes and Damian Martin will also be vying for a spot in the team for the Argentina Series.

Eight players from the Boomers Workout at the Australian Institute of Sport last week, including 2009/10 National Basketball League Champion Stephen Weigh and new Melbourne Tigers recruit Luke Nevill, impressed the Boomers coaching staff enough to receive a call up to the camp.

Basketball Australia CEO Larry Sengstock was please with the lineup that the Boomers would be able to put forward against Argentina.

“This is the start of the 2010 FIBA World Championship campaign for these players. With a number of our Beijing Olympians returning to the squad I’m excited about what the Boomers will be able to produce in the upcoming series,” Sengstock said.

“This is the best Boomers lineup to play in Australia in two years and it gives the Australian public the chance to witness some of our established Olympians play alongside our rising young stars.”

Australian Men’s Basketball Squad for Perth Camp
Name/Height/Age/Position/Club

Patrick MILLS / 183cm / 21 / Guard / Portland Trail Blazers (US)
Adam GIBSON / 188cm / 23 / Guard / Gold Coast Blaze
Damian MARTIN / 188cm / 25 / Guard / Perth Wildcats
Jason CADEE / 185cm / 19 / Guard / Gold Coast Blaze
Steven MARKOVIC / 190cm / 25 / Guard / KK Crvena Zvezda Beograd (Serbia)
Joe INGLES / 203cm / 22 / Forward / CB Granada (Spain)
Matthew DELLAVEDOVA / 190cm / 19 / Guard / St Mary’s University (US)
Hugh GREENWOOD / 187cm / 18 / Guard / AIS
Brad NEWLEY / 198cm / 25 / Guard / Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania)
Stephen WEIGH / 198cm / 21 / Guard / Perth Wildcats
Mark WORTHINGTON / 202cm / 27 / Forward / Brose Baskets (Germany)
Ater MAJOK / 208cm / 22 / Forward / University of Connecticut (US)
Alex LOUGHTON / 205cm / 27 / Forward / Cairns Taipans
Aron BAYNES / 207cm / 23 / Centre / Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania)
Luke NEVILL / 216cm / 24 / Centre / Melbourne Tigers

Head Coach: Brett Brown
Assistant Coach: Shane Heal
Assistant Coach: Andrej Lemanis
Physiotherapist: Steven Evans
Doctor: Peter Harcourt
Massage Therapist: Diana Glazer
Manager: Nic Mercer

http://www.basketball.net.au/index....s]=1400&tx_ttnews[backPid]=1&cHash=68166b6260

 

[Saskibaloia]

Besides Patty Mills showing his NBA potential, I would like to see Ingles and Newley step up to the plate and show to the basketball world that the Boomers do have some solid talent in the 2 and 3 spot, which has been an "weak" spot for the team in the recent past.

 

[Saskibaloia]

Boomers trounce Argentina B in series opener

Boomers trounce Argentina B in series opener

NBL.com.au


Boomers trounce Argentina in series opener
June 26, 2010, 12:22 AM AEST



The Golden Star Boomers opened its World Challenge with Argentina with a supremely impressive 97-58 victory at Perth's Challenge Stadium on Friday night in front of a sold out crowd.

With Patrick Mills leading the way from the outset, the Boomers were never headed cruising to a 25-point half-time lead and then scoring the first 15 points of the second half to beat the world number one-ranked Argentina by 39.

It was a big night for Australian basketball with a sold out crowd, the game beamed across the country on ONE HD in a return to free-to-air for the first time for the Boomers in a number of years.

NBA pair Mills and Nathan Jawai also become the first two Indigenous players to represent the Boomers at the same time.

The win for the Boomers was even more impressive considering Andrew Bogut, Matt Nielsen, David Andersen, Mark Worthington, CJ Bruton and others were unavailable for selection.

While Argentina was also without NBA players Manu Ginobili, Fabricio Oberto, Andres Nocioni and Carlos Delfino, the performance by the Boomers was exciting for not only the final two games of this series, but looking ahead to the FIBA World Championship in Turkey.

Mills was outstanding in his 20 minutes on court with 13 points and four assists. Fellow NBA player Jawai showed good signs on comeback from an ankle injury with eight points and five rebounds in 19 minutes.

Brad Newley scored 15 points with three from long range to top the Boomers scoring. Alex Loughton was also a strong performer with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Luke Nevill had 10 points and 12 boards, with every other Australian player also scoring.

Joe Ingles had 10 points, Hugh Greenwood seven, Damian Martin six, Adam Gibson five, Steven Markovic five, Ben Allen four and Jason Cadee three.

Argentina was best served by Nicolas Romano who led the way for his team with 18 points.

Boomers Head Coach Brett Brown was happy with the team's first hitout of the year.

“For the most part there was good carryover from what we've been doing in practice,” Brown said.

“No matter what level you play against you always can see things that you have to work on. I thought the Argentina team was very aggressive and got into some lanes so that will help us find some different counters offensively, but we definitely leave pleased with the result and I feel we end up a little bit better after it.”

“You always learn something and because we are at such early stages of moving forward to Turkey, there really isn’t a lot in our structures right now both on offence and defence. You can see holes and what inevitably you'll need to be able to give the players in situations and that pressure exposed some things. Defensively there were some missed assignments that you can pick different things on and show the team on video… at this early stage it's just fantastic to get the group together and to play basketball games together.”

The Boomers made a bright start when Mills began with a three and a pair of free throws on the next trip down the floor as the home side quickly raced out to an 18-7 lead and still held a comfortable 11-point advantage at the end of the first period.

Argentina did send a scare through the home side early in the second quarter closing to within nine points after four quick points to Federico Aguerre, but that only lifted the Boomers to make sure the game was over by half-time.

Seven quick points from Loughton, Gibson and Newley took the lead out 16 points again and after a three-point play for Argentina from Sebastian Vega, Mills inspired a run of 10 straight points to take the lead out to 23.

It was then 25 by half-time when Loughton hit a big three-pointer after yet another assist of the highest quality from Mills.

The Boomers dominated the start of the third period with 15 quick points before Argentina even added to its half-time score of 26. The visitors did then finish the quarter off strongly to cut the Boomers lead to 33 by three quarter-time.

A three to Martin and some showtime play from Jawai and Ingles then saw the Boomers finish in exciting fashion and cruise to the 39-point victory.

Game 2 of the Boomers World Challenge with Argentina will be at 'The Cage' in Melbourne on Sunday before Tuesday's third and final game of the series in Adelaide on the Brett Maher Court at The Dome.


GOLDEN STAR AUSTRALIAN BOOMERS 97 (Brad Newley 15, Patrick Mills 13, Alex Loughton 11) def
ARGENTINA 58 (Nicolas Romano 18, Nicolas De Los Santos 8, Pablo Orlietti 7)
At Challenge Stadium, Perth

Boomers World Challenge Schedule

Game 2: 6.00pm AEST Sunday June 27
At State Netball Hockey Centre, Melbourne
Live Coverage on ONE HD

Game 3: 7.30pm AEST Tuesday June 29
At Brett Maher Court at The Dome, Adelaide
Live Coverage on ONE HD