Baynes touts Aussie pride

Big man eyes next year’s World Cup

EVERY time Aron Baynes turns on an NBA game, the first thing he does is check which Aussies are taking the floor.

The hulking Boomers big man is proud of the legacy this generation of Aussie ballers have built and excited for the future the likes of Josh Giddey, Josh Green, Jack White and Jock Landale and others have ahead of them.

The former NBA man and Brisbane Bullet says next year’s FIBA World Cup is still on his agenda as he continues to regain his strength and fitness in the wake of a serious back injury.

“There’s never any doubt of mine that, so long as I’m healthy and playing at the level I know I can play at, then that’s always something I want to do,” Baynes said.

“I’ve just got to go out there and prove that I can do that and then we’ll speak about that in the off-season.

“But you always want to put on the green and gold.

“It’s the purest form of basketball and it’s the ultimate for me to compete with my mates and compete for Australia.”

Baynes hailed the young guns who will spearhead the Boomers in the future, proud he can turn on an NBA game and watch one or more of the 10 Aussies on the biggest stage.

“It’s amazing. The best thing is being able to, wherever I’m at, watch as much of their games as I can,” he said.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to be part of building Australian basketball over the past few years.”

The just-turned 36-year-old has played a key role in building the now-famed Boomers’ culture, with the likes of Patty Mills, Matthew Dellavedova and Joe Ingles recognising the importance of the work of past greats like Phil Smyth, Andrew Gaze and company.

“Over the last few years we’ve started understanding who came before us, how much it meant to them and what it still means,” he said.