To fine-tune their preparations for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, both the Australian men’s and women’s basketball teams are facing off against their counterparts from the People’s Republic of China in the Ford Ballin’ 24 series from July 2 to 5.
The basketball tournament will be played at the John Cain Arena in Melbourne. All games will be live streamed and broadcast in Australia.
The Australian men’s basketball team, or the Boomers, will start its campaign on July 2 before playing the second match of the series two days later.
With the final 12-member Boomers squad for Paris 2024 yet to be picked, the two-match series will give Australia men’s head coach Brian Goorjian another good look at the potential contenders for the Olympic squad.
Australian men’s basketball team: Xavier Cooks, Dyson Daniels, Matthew Dellavedova, Dante Exum, Josh Giddey, Chris Goulding, Josh Green, Joe Ingles, Nick Kay, Jock Landale, Will Magnay, Jack McVeigh, Patty Mills, Duop Reath, Matisse Thybulle, DJ Vasiljevic, Jack White
The Australian men’s basketball team is ranked fifth in the world and first in Asia. China, meanwhile, are world No. 29 and the sixth-best team in Asia in terms of FIBA rankings.
The matches against China, however, won’t be the final warm-up matches for the Boomers, who will travel to Abu Dhabi next week to play against the USA and Serbia before heading to France for the Olympics.
The Opals will be in action on July 3 and 5 and will field a 12-member squad, including top names like Lauren Jackson, Isobel Borlase and Cayla George.
Australian women’s basketball team : Amy Atwell, Zitina Aokuso, Isobel Borlase, Darcee Garbin, Cayla George, Lauren Jackson, Alice Kunek, Tess Madgen, Lauren Nicholson, Steph Reid, Maddy Rocci, Marianna Tolo
China are the top women’s basketball team in Asia at world No. 2 while the Australian women’s basketball team is third in the current world rankings.
Watch the Australian Boomers and Opals’ Olympic warm-up games against China in the Ford Ballin’ 24 basketball series live on Foxtel and Kayo via ESPN in Australia.
