September didn’t start well for the Aussie basketball fans and the entire Men’s basketball team management. On Friday, 1st September, they exited the 2023 FIBA World Cup after they lost 91-80 to Slovenia inspired by Dallas Maverick’s key player, Luka Dončić. 

It was a double tragedy as their slot competitors, Germany beat Georgia in the group K match meaning that the Boomers’ dreams of making it to the quarters had been shattered with a match against Georgia in hand. 

Despite their loss, Josh Giddey emerged as the top scorer with 25 points while Patty Mills and Dante Exum scored 17 and 13 points, respectively. Aussie fans are hopeful these top-rated players will showcase their marquee skills when the Paris Olympic Games’ curtain falls on 26th July 2024. 

As expected the Dallas Mavericks’ player Luka Dončić bossed his side with 19 points. 

What Next After Boomers Exit From 2023 FIBA World Cup 

Australia’s early exit from the FIBA Men’s World Cup didn’t go well for the team’s management and heads might roll soon!

According to Matt Scriven, the Basketball Australia Chief Executive, a review of the team’s below-expectation performance in the International Basketball Federation World Cup will be underway soon and Boomers’ fans should expect good tidings as they prepare the team for the Paris Olympics games next year. 

The target is to repeat the 2020 Tokyo podium finish, and preparations are in top gear to afford the team and management the necessary capitation and moral support, Matt continued. 

Matt Scriven further said that there’s much work that needs to be done if Aussie’s team is to make a mark in Paris. He, however, reiterated his support for the head coach Brian Goorjian.

“Brian is one of Australia’s highly respected and qualified coaches. He is contracted until Paris and our support of him is unwavering. He will be at the helm of the Boomers”, Scriven posited.

As the man at the helm of Australia’s basketball, Matt Scriven understands that the buck stops with him and he assured fans to keep calm as he is prepared to give the team whatever support they need for the upcoming event.

He argued that the Boomers 2023 results were disappointing but they are taking the learnings positively in a bid to rebuild and focus on the much-touted Podium Finish in Paris.

Scriven continued arguing that he understands the frustrations the Aussie Basketball fans are undergoing with a 10th place tag and that the entire Boomers fraternity (players, coaches, and support staff) are deeply feeling the loss.

He, however, lamented that how they rebound from the situation is what will greatly influence their future performances.

According to him, a full review will likely be undertaken soonest possible on every element of the 2023-24 campaign. He stressed that he won’t shy away from effecting the necessary technical and rooster changes as per the report they hope will come out in the next few months.

With the Paris Olympics just 10 months away, Scriven further stated that they are here for the long haul, arguing that they take the losses with the wins and then reassess to move on.

Coach Brian Goorjan’s Reaction

Coach Brian Goorjan, on his side, added that after the 2023 FIBA World Cup exit, there are no doubts that they will have to make some tough decisions around selections when the time is right. He also pointed out that they will start discussions with players regarding their availability and willingness to represent the green and gold.

For Pundits, Goorjan has a hill task to turn the fortunes to the Boomers’ side given the short period to the Paris Olympics. Rebuilding a formidable team is not a walk in the park as it requires intrinsic player motivation, plus the cultivation of the right attitude. 

Having returned to Australia’s national team for the second time in 2020, Brian Goorjan has had a great influence on the team’s performance in previous competitions. He was the genius who led the country to the first men’s basketball Olympic medal with a position 3 finish at the delayed games in the Japanese capital. Additionally, under his stewardship, Australia’s men’s basketball team is ranked top 3 by FIBA. 

 Australia’s Qualification to Paris Olympics 2024

While the Boomers’ failure to advance past the second round in the 2023 FIBA World Cup came as bad news to the team, management, and all the Aussie fans, the competition opened the window for their qualification into the Paris 2024 Olympics to represent the Oceania region. 

Earlier they had won against co-hosts Japan, Finland, and Georgia. Nevertheless, their losses to Germany and Slovenia left them in 10th Place. 

Their competitor for the Oceania slot, New Zealand, had worse results. They didn’t make it near the top of their group C in the first round, which comprised the United States, Jordan, and Greece. Resultantly, they were ranked 22nd far behind Australia, implying the latter goes into the next year’s global competition with the Oceania tag.