Boomers prepare for final Cup cull

CHRIS Goulding wants a shot at Rio Olympic Games redemption, but he knows the Boomers’ depth means he might not get one.

The Australians have kept the cards close to their chest in Melbourne this week, doing the bulk of their training behind closed doors ahead of today’s final FIBA World Cup squad cull from 18 to 12.

Coach Andrej Lemanis has plenty of options to complement a squad that could feature eight players who logged NBA minutes last season, even without the unavailable Ben Simmons, Dante Exum, Ryan Broekhoff and Thon Maker. Melbourne United sharpshooter Goulding came off the bench for the Boomers in a Rio run that ended with a disappointing one-point loss to Spain in the bronze medal game.

It continued the side’s wait for a maiden international medal and Goulding said that result still stings those who were there.

“It may be a little difficult for guys coming into their first campaign, but the desire from the guys that were there in Rio, it rubs off on everyone,” he said.

The Boomers will play Canada in Perth twice then meet the United States in a Melbourne double-header before their September 1 World Cup opener in China. Goulding is far from assured a spot in the side though, with fellow NBL guards Nathan Sobey, Mitch McCarron, Todd Blanchfield, Jason Cadee and Cameron Gliddon all pressing their claims to support first-choice guards Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova.

“Every time you come into camp and there’s spots available for a major tournament ... it’s some of the best basketball you’ll see in Australia,” Goulding said of the internal competition.

NBA title winners Mills, Dellavedova, Aron Baynes and Andrew Bogut will all play in China, alongside Utah Jazz favourite Joe Ingles and up-andcoming NBA talent Jonah Bolden.