Goorjian backto leadthe Boomers

IT’S official — Brian Goorjian is back as the Australian Boomerscoach.

Basketball Australia has confirmed that Goorjian will lead the Boomers at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics after appointing him coach of the senior men’s national team through to the 2023 FIBA Basketball WorldCup.

The six-time NBL championship coach was selected from an outstanding field of candidates and will take the reins of the Boomers as they begin their nine-month preparation for the Tokyo Olympicsin2021.

Goorjian is no stranger to the expectation of an Olympic Games, having been head coach of the Boomers in 2004 (Athens) and 2008( Beijing ).

The current Hawks head coach in the NBL has previously introduced Andrew Bogut, Patty Mills, and Joe Ingles to the Olympic stage.

He is also renowned as an elite high-performance leader whose capacity to adapt quickly will be paramount as the road to Tokyo remains impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Goorjian can’t wait to take the reins of the Boomers again, confirming there is a drive within the playing group after the pain of two fourthplaced finishes at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2019 World CupinChina.

“There is certainly a feeling of unfinished business, so there is a strong commitment from these players to participating in the Tokyo Olympics ,” Goorjian said .“I am honoured to be appointed as the men’ s national coach, and I am looking forward to the challenge.

“Being reunited with some of the guys I previously coached at the Beijing Olympics is an exciting prospect.

“Australia is very fortunate to have such a talented group of athletes at this time. I will be sitting down with Basketball Australia over the coming days to get fully briefed on their existing plans as we start the road to Tokyo and beyond.”

Basketball Australia CEO Jerril Rechter is thrilled to have Goorjian back.

“Brian’s success as a coach both domestically and internationally, plus his experience on the Olympic stage, made him a standout candidate for this prestigious role,” Rechtersaid.