My picks, starters first.

Macdonald / Foxwell / Hickey
Henshall / Smith
McVeigh / Glover / Galloway
White / Cooks
Magnay / Bannan

Cooks and Bannan can play small ball centre but if they opt for size, either Hickey or Galloway to go for Wessels. Think it might be good to have some size at the C. McVeigh can also move to PF and Glover to SG. The two Jacks interchangeable in the starting forward spots. Wonder if NBA contract discussions will impact their availability - Yang Hansen already sitting out for China.

Looking forward to seeing how Reyne Smith fares.

I'm intrigued about this Boomers team and the Asia Cup in general after we just got over the line against Lebanon in the final last time. No Thon Maker for us this time either.

Daniels looks like one likely omission but even though he's a bit of a plodder I think Wessels might be retained for his size. He's comfortably the biggest guy in that squad which could be useful insurance wise. Not sure if Haddadi is still playing for Iran but he's a big unit too.

Reyne Smith I don't know much about other than he played for Denver at SL in Las Vegas and when they finished their games Washington asked him to play in their last game too. That suggests there must be something there if two NBA teams were keen to bring him in at SL.

I must admit I'm not big on Henshall I don't really get how much the NBL hypes him up and he pulled out of the NBA draft for a reason. If he goes the college route that's a bit weak IMO, a pro going down to play with ammo kids. What I've seen of him in the NBL I don't think that much of.

Glover's got some genuine spark about him I've always appreciated his skill set so Dash Daniels and one of Henshall or Smith I would leave out and for me I don't think we would miss Henshall.

The Boomers play a warm up game against Colorado on the Gold Coast on Thursday July 31. Will the game be televised?

Dash Daniels is gonna play in the NBL and looks like the next big thing, so I reckon he probably gets picked. Feels kinda like when Dyson made the 2023 squad — could def see Dash being the 12th guy.

Haddadi retired from the national team in 2023.

Maker is a big loss imo.
Would have blooded Condon over Wessels.


No hansen for China but still a good squad.
No kawamura for japan but still a good squad.
Korea and Phillipines could move up from 22'
Nz ok but not great. New blood.
Lebanon possibly to the final?

Wael Arakji's out injured — huge loss for Lebanon tbh.
But they brought in Dedric Lawson, so not all bad.
They smashed Iran and Jordan in recent warm-ups, looked pretty solid.

"the next big thing" based upon what? Never had a dominate Australian junior championships. hasnt averaged more than 12ppg at u18/20s, outside shooting is bog average. assist numbers are average. only ranked 11th in steals at the last Nationals. Poor at the WC.

So the next big thing based upon what?

Henshall surplus to needs, big picture he is unlikely to overtake any of our current athletic wings for major events. Wessels not required. Took Proctor to Asia Cup in '22, likely will do the same with Daniels. Smith deserves an opportunity.

MacDonald / Foxwell / Hickey
Glover / Smith / Daniels
McVeigh / Galloway
White / Bannan
Magnay / Cooks

Good enough for Gold in Asia once again.

Yeah, I get he's not killing it right now — I’ve been disappointed watching him too.
Tbh, he might be a bit overrated.
But scouts are into his potential, and I still think he’s got a shot at being a really good player like his brother.
If they’re picking the team based on the top guys at camp, Daniels probably doesn’t make it yet.
But for that 12th man spot? He’s got a decent shot.

Yeah, I get he's not killing it right now — I’ve been disappointed watching him too.
Tbh, he might be a bit overrated.
But scouts are into his potential, and I still think he’s got a shot at being a really good player like his brother.
If they’re picking the team based on the top guys at camp, Daniels probably doesn’t make it yet.
But for that 12th man spot? He’s got a decent shot.

Ben Henshall's FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers stats (4 games):
11.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.5 SPG, 2 TO, 1.3 PF per game, shooting 55.2% FG (73.3% 2P, 35.7% 3P) and 81.8% FT.

Henshall was one of the most efficient players in the Asia Cup qualifiers, actually outplaying DJV, so I reckon he’s got a solid shot at making the Asia Cup team too.

DJV's FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers stats (4 games):
12.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 0.5 TO, 1.3 PF per game, shooting 24.6% FG (28.6% 2P, 22.5% 3P) and 100% FT.