No NBA stars, but Aussies still formidable foe

Australia may not have the familiar faces from the NBA but it will still parade a crack roster that will give Gilas Pilipinas its hands full in tomorrow’s 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers match in Melbourne.

The Boomers have retained all but one player from the team that won last year’s FIBA Asia Cup in Lebanon, with 33-year-old ace shooter Brad Newly leading the charge.

Newly carries an impressive credential having been picked by the Houston Rockets as the 54th overall pick of the 2007 NBA Draft. Though he did not play a single game for the Rockets, Newly built a career competing in pro league in Europe, currently playing for AEK Athens.

The Los Angeles Lakers currently hold his NBA rights.

Four players, on the other hand, saw action for US NCAA Division 1 schools, namely Nathan Sobey formerly of Wyoming, Angus Brandt of Oregon State, Daniel Kickert Saint Mary’s and Matt Hodgson, who played for Southern Utah and Saint Mary’s.

Aside from Newly, Sobey, Brandt, Kickert and Hodgson, the returning members from Australia’s FIBA Asia Cup-winning team are Cameron Gloddon, Jason Cadee, Nick Kay, Mitch McCarron, Mitch Creek and Chris Goulding.

Kickart scored 22 points on 9-of12 shooting including a perfect 4-of-4 from the trifecta in Australia’s 82-58 win against Japan.