How Dyson Daniels and Xavier Cooks exemplify the future of Boomers basketball
The next generation of Australian Boomers is fast arriving, and it's unlike what we've seen.
Dyson Daniels and Xavier Cooks entered the NBA store last Saturday morning as part of a range of media appearances prior to Boomers camp, which kicked off this week. Seeing both figures duck through the store’s entrance was a strong reminder that Australia’s elite basketball talent has evolved.
The next generation of Boomers are unlike any we’ve seen before - tall, long and exceeding the benchmarks for NBA athleticism on almost every front. It’s something we’ve known in theory for a while now, as we’ve witnessed players such as Daniels and Cooks break ground in the NBA over recent years, time and time again. But as aspirations become more global, players become more distanced, connected indirectly via networks and social media, but rarely converging in person. As Cooks said on the day, “We’ve probably spent more time together these past couple of days than we ever have.”
That’s why this week’s Boomers training camp, in preparation for the 2023 FIBA World Cup to follow in September, is so exciting for Australian basketball fans.
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