10 years on: A look back at the Boomers' 2014 FIBA World Cup

It's been 10 years since the 2014 FIBA World Cup, a tournament that was filled with ups, downs, and some controversy for the Boomers.

Photo credit: FIBA

As the Boomers embark on their Olympic journey, 2024 also marks 10 years since the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.

We thought we’d recognise the anniversary by diving into the archives of what was a tournament filled with controversy, surprise performances, and disappointment for Australia.

The buildup

After the promising but ultimately disappointing tournament that was the 2012 London Olympics, hopes, and to some extension expectations, were high for the Boomers at the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

The core group had began to hit their straps and as the number of NBA players grew, the chance of a medal at a major event was becoming more of when than an if.

However, before the tournament even started, the Aussies found themselves in a tough positions.

Patty Mills was coming off an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs, where he had played a crucial role in the Finals. He was also the leading scorer across all nations at the 2012 Olympics and seemed destined to carry on his international brilliance.

It was never to be though, with a rotator cuff injury requiring surgery which saw him on the sidelines for a considerable period of time and unable to play in the World Cup.

Australia was also missing their other leading man, with Andrew Bogut unavailable after being dogged by injury for a large portion of the 2013/14 NBA season.

With two walk-up starters out, the Boomers were forced back to the drawing board as they looked to finally end the medal drought.

The start

Things didn’t start well for the Mills and Bogut-less Boomers, falling to Slovenia in their tournament opener, 80-90.