Horsham's Mitch Creek has missed selection in the Boomers' 12-man squad to represent Australia at the Tokyo Olympics.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Creek was a part of the 19-man-squad that took part in a final training camp in Los Angeles last week but didn't make the final cut when Basketball Australia announced its squad on Saturday.
The 12-man squad has a mix of NBA, European and NBL talent, and a good balance of youth and experience.
NBA veterans Joe Ingles (33) and Patty Mills (32) have both been selected for their fourth Olympics' campaign, while promising youngsters in Josh Green (20), Dante Exum (25), Matisse Thybulle (24) and Duop Reath (25) are all set to make their Boomers' Olympic debut.
NBA Champions Matthew Dellavedova (34) and Aron Baynes (30) have also been chosen to compete at their third Olympics.
Chris Goulding and Landale, fresh from their NBL title with Melbourne United and the Brisbane Bullets' Nathan Sobey, are the only NBL players in the squad.
The most notable omission from the side is Philadelphia Sixers star Ben Simmons, who told head coach Brian Goorjian that he was withdrawing just last week.
Simmons announcement came after he faced harsh criticism for his showing in the 76ers recent playoff series loss to Atlanta.
Goorjian was thrilled by the make-up of his side.
"I'm really excited, we've got some nice youth coming into the team, and a good balance," Goorjian said in a Basketball Australia press release.
"It's very clear what the goal is. It's not driven from me, I've walked into it, and it's hit me in the face. That leadership group want a gold medal, and if they don't get it, they'll be disappointed. My job is to come in here and do everything I can to help them complete the vision.
"It's huge having that experience. I'm in a unique situation where I was part of the Boomers in Beijing with Patty and Joe to come back close to 12 years later and see what the culture has become - the first two days of practice I just took it all in. Where it's gone in that time, through that leadership group with Delly, Baynes, Joe and Patty has been amazing to see."
The Tokyo Olympics Basketball competition will run from July 25 to August 9 at the Saitama Super Arena.
Matt Hughes
Matt is a sports journalist at The Standard.
Matt is a sports journalist at The Standard.
