Boomers name YouYi Games team
The Australian Boomers have named their 12-man team for the YouYi Games against China.
A squad of 12 Australian basketball stars have been selected for the Boomers men’s basketball team that will tackle China in the YouYi Games series, set to tip off in Perth tomorrow afternoon.
Headlining the team is local Perth hero Damian Martin, along with Matt Nielsen, Mark Worthington and internationally based Aussies David Barlow, Daniel Kickert and Matthew Dellavedova.
Boomers Head Assistant Coach Andrej Lemanis said that the team has enjoyed a tough week on the training court and the progress has been positive leading into the YouYi Games Series.
“It’s been a great week of practice. The guys have gone at it and battled hard. We’ve had time to refine our offensive structure, and defensive sets as well. Our goal now is to continue to improve, this being stage one on our road to London, and I think these three games are a great way solidify this progress,” said Lemanis.
“It’s great having a team of their quality by world standards close to us, so the ability for them to come out here and for us to get good hit-outs against them over here each year, I think it’s good for both countries. Again it is all a part of that building and learning process,” he said.
Game One of the YouYi Games tips off tomorrow, Saturday 9 June at Challenge Stadium in Perth at 2:00PM. The series then moves to the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre on Monday 11 June, with Game Two tipping off at 7:00PM. The third and final game of the series moves back to Challenge Stadium on Wednesday 13 June at Challenge Stadium and tips off at 8:00PM.
Tickets for Game One of the YouYi Games are available now through Ticketmaster (click here to book).
For more information on the YouYi Games visit www.youyigames.com.
For more information on the Boomers visit www.basketball.net.au.
AUSTRALIAN BOOMERS YOUYI GAMES TEAM
David BARLOW / 205cm / Guard/Forward/ 22-10-1983 / Murcia (Spain)
Aron BAYNES / 207cm / Centre/ 9-12-1986 / Ikaros Kallitheas (Greece)
Ryan BROEKOFF / 201cm / Guard/Forward / 23-8-1990 / Valparaiso (US College)
Peter CRAWFORD / 193cm / Guard / 6-11-1979 / Townsville Crocodiles (NBL)
Matthew DELLAVEDOVA / 190cm / Guard / 8-9-1990 / St Mary's (US College)
Hugh GREENWOOD / 190cm / Guard / 6-3-1992 / New Mexico (US College)
Adam GIBSON / 188cm / Guard / 30-10-1986 / Gold Coast Blaze (NBL)
Julian KHAZZOUH / 209cm / Centre / 23-2-1986 / Sydney Kings (NBL)
Daniel KICKERT / 208cm / Forward / 29-3-1983 / PGE Turow (Poland)
Damian MARTIN / 188cm / Guard / 2-9-1984 / Perth Wildcats (NBL)
Matt NIELSEN / 209cm / Forward / 3-2-1978 / BC Khimki (Russia)
Mark WORTHINGTON / 202cm / Forward / 8-6-1983 / Gold Coast Blaze (NBL)
