SonicBoomer
Last month

Boomers new coach/squad for Asia Cup

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 31 OCTOBER - Rising coaching star Jacob Chance will lead the Australian Boomers at the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifying Tournament in Thailand this month.

The highly regarded 30-year-old, who has impressed in NBL assistant coaching roles with the Perth Wildcats, Tasmania Jack Jumpers and now Melbourne United and as Head of Video and Analytics for the Boomers has earned his opportunity to lead Australia in two fixtures against Thailand (November 21) and Korea (November 24) as qualification for next year's tournament in Saudi Arabia begins.

Chance, who will be flanked by assistant coaches Kerry Williams and Robbie McKinlay, said he was thrilled to take the coaching reins.

"I’ve had a good depth of experience in professional basketball over the last decade with both the Boomers and in the NBL. Having exposure to major tournaments like the FIBA Asia Cup, World Cup, Olympics and other windows fills me with confidence for the challenge ahead," Chance said.

“I’m really proud and also grateful to Basketball Australia and Jason Smith for backing in the pathway of Aussie coaches and I know Kerry, Robbie and myself will take plenty away from the experience.”

Melbourne United Head Coach Dean Vickerman praised Chance’s skillset and endorsed his appointment.

“My first interaction with Jacob was during my time with the Boomers program and seeing the elite way he worked was a big reason why we brought him to United,” Vickerman explained.

“I think there’s been a lot of conversations surrounding what the pathway is becoming as a Boomers coach and Jacob is a perfect example of a young Australian coach who has done all the right things. “

Jason Smith, Basketball Australia’s Executive GM of High Performance, said Chance, Williams and McKinlay demonstrated the calibre of talent in the coaching ranks.

“We’ve got three incredible coaches who are all experts in their areas and have a considerable depth of experience with both international and domestic programs,” he said.

“Jacob is what we need in this window with his skillset, compatibility and relationships with the playing group. We are entering an exciting phase of the program and we have the utmost confidence in this group as the process of selecting the next Boomers Head Coach commences.”

The Boomers team for Thailand features Tokyo Olympic bronze medallists Nick Kay, Chris Goulding and Nathan Sobey and a core of players with national experience in a range of tournaments and qualifying windows including Jack White, Sam Froling, Dejan Vasiljevic, Ben Henshall, Mitch Norton, Jordan Hunter and 18-year-old centre Rocco Zikarsky who are all currently competing in the NBL season.

Illawarra Hawks duo Will 'Davo’ Hickey and Lachlan Olbrich will represent the Boomers for the first time at senior international level.


Australian Boomers - Team | FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers

Sam Froling (Illawarra)
Chris Goulding (Melbourne)
Ben Henshall (Perth)
Will 'Davo' Hickey (Illawarra)
Jordan Hunter (SEM Phoenix)
Nick Kay (Shimane Susanoo Magic)
Mitch Norton (Brisbane)
Lachlan Olbrich (Illawarra)
Nathan Sobey (SEM Phoenix)
DJ Vasiljevic (Adelaide)
Jack White (Melbourne)
Rocco Zikarsky (Brisbane)

Head Coach - Jacob Chance
Assistant Coach - Kerry Williams
Assistant Coach - Robbie McKinlay
Team Doctor - Brendon Aubrey
David Hillard - Team Physiotherapist
Ryan Carroll - Team Physiotherapist
Junior Viranatuleo - Team Manager
Jason Smith - Head of Delegation


Topic #52390 | Report this topic


AngusH  
Last month

Good opportunity for Chance. Also like having Henshall in the squad.

Reply #952729 | Report this post


LV  
Last month

Why have they picked such a strong squad?

Reply #952732 | Report this post


Dunkman  
Last month

Sobey and Goulding are not the future, Sobey has not even played well, Kay as well. Olbrich is a very good selection. Neither of these games will be that tough, should have just stuck with under 30 players. Some players obviously turned down the opportunity, which I don't really understand. Chance was a good choice.

Reply #952734 | Report this post


Zodiac  
Last month

Last Asia Cup we only just got over the line in the gold medal game and that was with Thon Maker starring, that's why we need to send over a good team with vets.

Reply #952735 | Report this post


Hooping  
Last month

What experience Head Coaching has the new Head coach got?

Watching the failed experiment with the Bullets right now.


Reply #952737 | Report this post


LV  
Last month

Interesting Z, I'd assumed easy competition but maybe not

Reply #952738 | Report this post


Ballin Fan  
Last month

Great that they have appointed Jacob Chance. Seems like he has been around forever but he is only 30?
And Junior, I thought he was currently with the Spurs of the Jazz is it ?

Reply #952739 | Report this post


ME (he/kangaroo)  
Last month

Korea have been okay in recent history and are a threat to get hot from outside so I wouldnt be taking them too lightly. We should beat them in 99 percent of games but there's always that chance.

A bit surprised to see Hickey, Norton and Sobey there. Depending on his injury you'd think Armstrong would've been a lock. Are our point guard stocks that weak that we're sending out Mitch Norton?

As much as these games should be easier the bigger picture is Asia Cup which has World Cup- Olympic ramifications.

Good to see Henshall, Zikarsky, Olbrich in the squad. Kay will be solid for this but should be done as far as majors go.

Reply #952746 | Report this post


Patty"TheGOAT"Mills  
Last month

Nick Kay (Japan B1 League)
29.23 MIN
11.0 PTS
FG 49.3% - 3PT 33.3% - FT 95%
7.2 REB
3.7 AST
1.4 STL
0.8 BLK
1.2 TOV
1.8 PF

Brock Motum (Japan B1 League)
31.2 MIN
20.9 PTS
FG 50.3% - 3PT 42.9% - FT 73.5%
8 REB
2.1 AST
1.3 STL
2.3 TOV
2.7 PF

Reply #952747 | Report this post


Patty"TheGOAT"Mills  
Last month

Nick Kay (2024-25)
29.23 MIN
11.0 PTS
FG 49.3% - 3PT 33.3% - FT 95%
7.2 REB
3.7 AST
1.4 STL
0.8 BLK
1.2 TOV
1.8 PF

Nick Kay (2023-24)
33.24 MIN
16.1 PTS
FG 51.6% - 3PT 40% - FT 85%
8.9 REB
3.5 AST
1.5 STL
0.7 BLK
1.4 TOV
1.8 PF

Kay's prime time is completely over.

Reply #952749 | Report this post


Ben  
Last month

Tf is Sobey doing on this team.

Reply #952751 | Report this post


Patty"TheGOAT"Mills  
Last month

I have never seen Sobey do well in a FIBA ​​Ball.

Reply #952752 | Report this post




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