Bronze medalist at the last Olympic Games, fourth at the last World Cup and title holder of the Asia Cup, theAustralia will for sure be one of the nations to watch during the World Cup 2023 and just take a look at it pre-selection of 18 players to be convinced.
Indeed, no less than 10 NBA players have been called up by coach Brian Goorjian: Josh Giddey (Thunder), Patty Mills (Net), Joe Ingles (bucks), Josh Green (Mavericks), Matisse Thybulle (Blazers), Jock Landale (Suns), Dyson Daniels (Pelicans), Matthew Dellavedova (Kings), xavier cooks (Wizards) and finally Jack White (Nuggets).
Alongside them, there are therefore 8 additional players, who play all over the world, and some have even played in the NBA in the past: Dante Exum (Partizan Belgrade), Tuna Maker (Fujian Sturgeons), Nick Kay (Shimane Susanoo Magic), Chris Goulding (Paris Basketball), Sam Froling (Levanga Hokkaido), Will McDowell-White (New Zealand Breakers), Keanu Pinder (Perth Wildcats) and Duop Reath (Al Riyadi Beirut) ).
In addition to Aron Baynes, the main absentee from this pre-selection is obviously called Ben Simmons, yet tipped to represent the “Boomers” in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines from August 25 to September 10. However, this absence is not final, because if he recovers as expected from his back injury, the Nets player may be integrated into the group by his coach.
As a reminder, Australia inherited the “group of death” (the E) at the next World Cup, against Germany, Finland and Japan in Okinawa. In the event of qualification for the second round, in one of the first two places in her group, she will then cross with pool F, that of Slovenia, to hope to reach the quarter-finals.
