Ben Simmons named in strong 24-man Boomers squad for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics

The Boomers are a step closer to rocking the Olympics with Ben Simmons after he was included in a strong squad featuring 12 NBA stars.

Ben Simmons has moved a step closer to his first Olympics for Australia after being named in a 24-man squad in preparation for this year’s Tokyo Games.

Simmons’ inclusion in a strong squad that features 12 NBA players is a major boost to the Boomers’ medal chances.

The Philadelphia 76ers star is excited about helping Australia claim a maiden men’s medal at Tokyo despite the NBA season potentially clashing with the Olympics, which begin a day after the NBA finals end on July 23.

“It would be an amazing honour to play for my country,” Simmons said.

“I know things are uncertain right now, but I’ve been in touch with coach Goorjian and we’re hopeful I can join the Boomers.”

Australian coach Brian Goorjian vowed to make Simmons his No. 1 priority and thus far he has delivered on his promise.

Goorjian said he had been in regular contact with the two-time NBA All-Star and had a good feeling about him donning the green and gold in Tokyo.

“(I see Ben playing) a huge role,” Goorjian said.

“He was just like the others and there wasn’t a whimper. It was I’m in, I’m looking forward to it and I want to be a part of this.

“It was as simple as that.

“Ben’s commitment and his excitement about the Boomers, so when I hung that phone up I felt real good.

“He is one of the best players in the world, and an added piece like Ben is huge to the chances of getting this gold medal – this dream of the whole group.”

Simmons will be joined in a star-studded Boomers squad by three-time Olympians Joe Ingles (Utah Jazz) and Patty Mills (San Antonio Spurs).

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics would be the fourth Games for both Mills and Ingles, who collectively shared their enthusiasm about winning an elusive medal.

“We are both excited to again be named in the Australian Boomers squad, and we are determined to lead this group of both veteran experience and exciting younger talent to an elusive Olympic medal,” the pair said.

The Boomers Tokyo 2020 Olympic squad features seven athletes who competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics: Ingles, Mills, Aron Baynes (Toronto Raptors), Ryan Broekhoff (NBA free agent), Matthew Dellavedova (Cleveland Cavaliers), Chris Goulding (Melbourne United) and Brock Motum (Galatasaray, Turkey).

Five players are receiving their first call to the senior men’s national team squad, including Josh Green (Dallas Mavericks), Will McDowell-White (Rio Grande Valley Vipers), Will Magnay (New Orleans Pelicans), Duop Reath (Crvena Zvezda, Serbia) and Matisse Thybulle (Philadelphia 76ers).

The Boomers squad also has nine NBL players, including Adelaide rookie sensation Josh Giddey and 36ers teammate Isaac Humphries, while there are three players from strong European leagues.

Australia is ranked third in the world, and Goorjian declared his players were aiming to achieve the highest honour in Tokyo.

“We have some guys that have been on this drive for a long time now, and this is their time to get that gold medal,” Goorjian said.

“Talking to Delly, Patty, Baynes and Joe – it is gold medal or nothing.

“It is a well-balanced squad selected by position with a nice blend of experience coupled with a lot of new and exciting players coming through.

“These are our top 24 available players and included is significant representation from the NBL, showing the strength of our local league where the standard of competition is recognised worldwide.

“I have spoken to each player over the past fortnight and have been extremely impressed, to a man, by their overwhelming desire to play for Australia in Tokyo.”

In addition to head assistant coach Matthew Nielsen (head coach, Austin Spurs NBA G League), Goorjian has retained 2019 FIBA World Cup Boomers assistant coaches David Patrick (associate coach, University of Arkansas) and Adam Caporn (head coach, BA Centre of Excellence men’s program) for his Tokyo Olympics coaching staff.

To assist coaches in their preparation, a support role of international scouting co-ordinator has been added, and Jacob Jackomas (Hawks assistant coach) will take on that position.

The official 12-member Australian roster for the 2020 Tokyo Games will be announced by the Australia Olympic Committee later this year.

The Boomers have been drawn in Group B for the Tokyo Olympics alongside Nigeria and two currently unknown opponents.

Australia could be joined by powerhouses Serbia and Croatia, who both face Olympic qualifying tournaments to book their place at the Games.

Australian Tokyo 2020 Olympic squad:

1 Deng ADEL Hawks (NBL)

2 Aron BAYNES Toronto Raptors (NBA)

3 Ryan BROEKHOFF NBA Free Agent

4 Xavier COOKS Sydney Kings (NBL)

5 Mitch CREEK South East Melbourne Phoenix (NBL)

6 Matthew DELLAVEDOVA Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)

7 Dante EXUM Houston Rockets (NBA)

8 Josh GIDDEY Adelaide 36ers (NBL)

9 Chris GOULDING Melbourne United (NBL)

10 Josh GREEN Dallas Mavericks (NBA)

11 Isaac HUMPHRIES Adelaide 36ers (NBL)

12 Joe INGLES Utah Jazz (NBA)

13 Nick KAY Real Betis (Spain)

14 Jock LANDALE Melbourne United (NBL)

15 Mitch McCARRON Melbourne United (NBL)

16 Will McDOWELL-WHITE Rio Grande Valley Vipers (NBA G League)

17 Will MAGNAY New Orleans Pelicans (NBA)

18 Thon MAKER NBA free agent

19 Patty MILLS San Antonio Spurs (NBA)

20 Brock MOTUM Galatasaray (Turkey)

21 Mitch NORTON Perth Wildcats (NBL)

22 Duop REATH Crvena Zvezda (Serbia)

23 Ben SIMMONS Philadelphia 76ers (NBA)

24 Matisse THYBULLE Philadelphia 76ers (NBA)

Coaching team:

Brian GOORJIAN head coach Hawks (NBL)

Matthew NIELSEN head assistant coach Austin Spurs (NBA G League)

Adam CAPORN assistant coach Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence

David PATRICK assistant coach University of Arkansas

Jacob JACKOMAS international scouting co-ordinator Hawks (NBL)

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