Rising NBA star Josh Giddey has declared he will line up for the Boomers at the FIBA World Cup after formally confirming his commitment to representing Australia.
With the World Cup to be hosted across the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia in August this year, Giddey pledged his allegiance to the men’s national team.
“I will be there,” he told SEN Breakfast.
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“It’s very important, as a young kid being an Australian, you grow up as a basketballer wanting to be a part of the green and gold.
“Whether that’s at a World Cup or an Olympic games, I was no different.
“I remember when the Olympics were going on in London, I think I was 12 years old, I would take days off school to sit there and watch those games.”
The guard will feature in a 12-man squad that will likely include fellow NBA players Patty Mills, Jock Landale, Joe Ingles, Josh Green, Dyson Daniels and Matisse Thybulle.
With Giddey locked in, Boomers fans do not need to worry about the 20-year-old venturing down a similar path to Ben Simmons.
In previous years the Nets guard has snubbed representative duties.
Simmons will not play again this season because of a nerve injury in his back, making it highly unlikely that he would suit up for the Boomers in the off-season.
The disappointing end to his first full season with Brooklyn has only added to speculation that the former No.1 draft pick will be unable to revive his career.
The Boomers will head into the World Cup with confidence after picking up the country’s first major medal in men’s basketball history at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
“I’ve always dreamed of playing for the Boomers,” Giddey said.
“I’ve had a couple of brief stints playing for Australia with the juniors or with the senior team a couple of years back.
“Now I think Australian talent is as good as it’s ever been.
“This World Cup is going to be probably the most real chance we’ve ever had to win a gold medal.
“I’ll definitely be there, and I’m really excited for it.”
In his second NBA season with the Oklahoma Thunder, Giddey averaged 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game.
The Thunder were eliminated in the play-in tournament, falling just short of a playoff berth.
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