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Josh Giddey commits to Boomers' World Cup tilt

3 minute read

Josh Giddey is set to line up alongside fellow NBA stars Patty Mills and Joe Ingles as the Australian Boomers chase World Cup glory this year.

JOSH GIDDEY.
JOSH GIDDEY. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

NBA star Josh Giddey is eyeing off Australia's "most real chance" at a FIBA World Cup title after confirming he will suit up for the national team.

The 20-year-old guard has enjoyed a stunning rise to prominence, helping Oklahoma City Thunder into the play-in tournament this season.

He will look to have a similar impact with the Boomers at the World Cup, declaring: "I will be there."

This year's edition of the tournament will be played in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines throughout August and September.

"I've always dreamed of playing for the Boomers," Giddey told SEN on Monday.

"I've had a couple of brief stints playing for Australia, whether that's juniors or with the senior team a couple of years back.

"Now, I think Australian talent is as good as it's ever been.

"This World Cup is going to be probably the most real chance we've ever had to win a gold medal.

"I'll definitely be there and I'm very excited for it."

Giddey is set to feature alongside fellow NBA players Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, Josh Green, Jock Landale, Dyson Daniels and Matisse Thybulle in the Boomers' World Cup squad.

The Boomers lost the third-place play-off at the 2019 World Cup before securing their first Olympic medal with bronze at the Tokyo Games.

Giddey, a Victorian product and former Adelaide 36ers star, has previously spoken about his frustrations at being left out of the Olympics squad as a teenager two years ago.

"You grow up as a basketball player wanting to be a part of the green and gold at a World Cup or an Olympic Games, and I was no different," he said on Monday.

"I remember when the Olympics were going on, I would've been 12 years old and it was in London, and I remember taking days off school to sit down and watch those games."

Giddey averaged 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists as a key player for Oklahoma City in his second NBA season.

He shot the ball at 48.2 per cent from the field and has targeted shooting as his most important area for improvement over the off-season.

Giddey produced an equal career-high 31 points in the Thunder's play-in tournament win over New Orleans last week before a loss to Minnesota ended their season.

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