It’s now or never for the Australian Boomers

Against a rising tide of international basketball talent, the window to win another medal is tighter than it looks.

Credit: FIBA

2023 feels like it’s time for the Boomers to win it all, because if it doesn’t happen this year, it might not be happening for a while.

Australia approaches the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup with their senior men’s roster at a unique inflection point. This is a program in transition, with the old guard having arrived at the twilight of their respective international careers. Patty Mills and Joe Ingles are at an age where it’s right to question their ability to carry a team through a long tournament, then also deliver in the medal rounds.

It feels almost counterintuitive to be writing this, given the Boomers were holding a bronze medal when last seen on the global stage, but the Tokyo Games are now a distant memory in the fast-moving sports world. Australia will need their young players to step up and carry the workload over this decade. That statement is obvious, but the evolution is needed right away.