There will be a mix of exciting young talent and established veterans sharing the floor on Thursday night as the Australian Boomers face the University of Colorado in a historic game at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre.
You can watch the Australian Boomers vs University of Colorado game LIVE on Fox Sports and Kayo this Thursday from 6.30pm AEST. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1!
The fixture represents the first-ever commercial game between Australia and an NCAA Division I men’s basketball team, while also doubling as the Boomers’ final hit-out before they travel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to try defend the FIBA Asia Cup.
The Boomers have been drawn in Group A, which includes South Korea, Qatar and 2022 finalists Lebanon.
The Boomers announced their 12-man squad for the trip to Jeddah earlier in the week, with coach Adam Caporn leaning into a youth movement for the most part.
The squad’s average age is 23.8 with NBL Next Star and projected lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Dash Daniels, headlining the group.
He becomes just the fifth Australian men’s basketballer to represent the Boomers on the international stage at just 17 years old and is the youngest since Ben Simmons in 2013.
“We couldn’t be more excited about this group representing Australia and the dedication they’ve shown to the Boomers program,” said Caporn.
“It’s been a strong competitive start to camp, and we feel we’re building something special from these early foundations.”
Perth Wildcats young gun Ben Henshall has also been named along with Louisville sharpshooter Reyne Smith, who is fresh off playing at the NBA Summer League.
Jack McVeigh and Jack White, who were also vying for NBA two-way contracts in Las Vegas, are a few of the veteran names in the squad along with Xavier Cooks and Will Magnay while championship-winning Illawarra Hawks guard Davo Hickey also features.
The game against the University of Colorado gets underway on Thursday at 6.30pm AEST and will be live on Fox Sports and Kayo.
“The one thing about Australian basketball is that there’s a lot of pride,” Buffaloes head coach Tad Boyle said.
“There are a lot of good players who have come to the United States to play college basketball, who are in the NBA from that country, and the Boomers are their team.
“So, it’ll be a heck of a challenge for us, heck of an opportunity for us to get better. You want to play against the best, so we’re trying to do that. We are really fortunate and happy to have this opportunity.”
BOOMERS TEAM FOR FIBA ASIA CUP
Xavier Cooks, Dash Daniels, Owen Foxwell, Jaylin Galloway, Ben Henshall, Will ‘Davo’ Hickey, Will Magnay, Sean Macdonald, Jack McVeigh, Reyne Smith, Harry Wessels, Jack White.