Australia has trimmed its pool down to 15 with just 19 days before the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
Brian Goorjian made three “tough cuts” on Sunday, Basketball Australia announced.
Dropped from the team are Thon Maker, Sam Froling, and Keanu Pinder.
“This is an elite squad with so much talent, there is no easy way to make cuts, but the reality is that we only get to take 12 into Okinawa. Would I take all of these players if I could? Absolutely, but that’s the hardest part of sport, you have to make the cuts, we have to keep moving forward,” Goorjian said.
“I have the utmost respect for Sam, Thon and Keanu and their contribution here in Cairns – their work rate has been exceptional. On and off court they have demonstrated the highest level of professionalism. They are the best in the field for a reason and of course I’m disappointed that they can’t come through with us, but they all respect the process and came into the camp understanding what we are all here to achieve.”
Still, the defending Asia Cup champion and 2020 Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist still packs a loaded roster.
Ten active NBA players are still in the pool, namely Xavier Cooks of Washington, Dyson Daniels of New Orleans, Dante Exum and Josh Green of Dallas, Josh Giddey and Jack White of Oklahoma City, Joe Ingles of Orlando, Jock Landale of Houston, Patty Mills of Atlanta, and Matisse Thybulle of Portland.
Completing the team are ex-NBA pro Matthew Dellavedova, Nick Kay, Will McDowell-White, and Duop Reath.
The Boomers are currently preparing for three friendlies at home, facing Venezuela, Brazil, and South Sudan from August 14 to 17.
Australia flies out to Japan after the “Boomers vs The World” series.
In Japan, they will figure in two more tuneups, facing France and Georgia, before beginning their World Cup campaign on the 25th.
Australia is slotted in Group E with Germany, Finland, and Japan.
