BRING ON THE WORLD CUP: BOOMERS PLEDGE AUSSIE ALLEGIANCE

BOOMERS coach Andrej Lemanis has revealed the team Skype session where every Australian NBA player barring Ben Simmons pledged their commitment to the 2019 World Cup in China.

In a major boost for the Boomers’ chances of claiming a medal, Lemanis confirmed the likes of Joe Ingles, Aron Baynes, Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova all expressed a desire to don the green and gold in China next August and September.

It’s significant news for an Australian side determined to end the men’s medal hoodoo at the World Cup and Olympics. The Boomers’ best finish is fourth and Lemanis says the current crop is aiming high.

“They are all committed to not only winning a medal but winning a gold medal,” Le- manis said. “We had a meeting before the last qualification window in July and everyone indicated if they were healthy and had nothing going on at their NBA clubs that they’d participate in the World Cup. “That was really positive. “Ben [Simmons] wasn’t part of that meeting but everyone else was and we had a good commitment from the group.

“That is the focus and that is what they want to do.

“They are all really proud of Australian basketball and they want to show the rest of the world what we can do. You can feel that sense of pride.”

Lemanis remains hopeful Simmons will play in the World Cup but says he also respects his NBA commitments.

“Ben wants to play for the Boomers but in terms of the World Cup he has a pretty important off-season coming up in the NBA,” he said.