Who’s Actually Going to Be Playing for Team USA Against the Boomers in Melbourne?

Not pictured: actual Team USA players.

When it was first announced that the Australian Boomers would be hosting two friendlies against Team USA in Melbourne this August, the promo poster was adorned with such NBA greats as Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis and James Harden. It seemed the biggest of the bigs were headed down under.

When the roster for Team USA was seemingly solidified, Durant was gone. Yet, in his place stood Damian Lillard. Even without Durant—or fellow league MVPs LeBron James, Steph Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo—the touring company still looked unbeatable.

Now, with less than one month to go until USA Basketball flies to Australia, their team is looking pretty damn beatable.

Over the past few weeks, nine of Team USA’s shortlisted players have decided against representing their nation at the FIBA World Cup in China this September. As of this morning, the list of withdrawn names include Davis, Harden, Lillard, DeMar DeRozan, Bradley Beal, Eric Gordon, Tobias Harris, CJ McCollum and Kevin Love.

Even Ben Simmons, the Aussie export who plays for the Philadelphia 76ers, said he wouldn’t participate in the World Cup on behalf of the Boomers. But at least he still committed to the August friendlies.

(Update: After this article was published, Simmons pulled out of the friendlies too.)

This left us with a glimmer of hope, wondering: Would any of those other NBA players like Harden and Davis still visit Melbourne for some hooping?

We can now confirm: Nope.

Team USA will be announced on 17 August.

Craig Miller, the Chief Communications Officer for USA Basketball, told Student Edge "it is not anticipated that any USA players not on the official 12-man roster will be travelling with the team to Australia."

"We expect the 12-man team to be named Aug. 17, the day after we play our exhibition game versus Spain in Anaheim, California."

Student Edge separately contacted TEG Live, who are promoting the friendlies, and they reiterated that "the two games in Melbourne will feature the final World Cup rosters that will compete in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China."

So, who's left on Team USA’s roster?

Coach Gregg Popovich will have to choose his 12-man squad from Kemba Walker, Donovan Mitchell, Kyle Lowry, Marcus Smart, Khris Middleton, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Harrison Barnes, P.J. Tucker, Andre Drummond, Myles Turner, Kyle Kuzma, Paul Millsap, Brook Lopez, Bam Adebayo, Mason Plumlee, Thaddeus Young and Julius Randle. Nothing to sneeze at, but that’s as of this writing. For all we know, by the time you read this, Team USA could be comprised solely of three Labradors, Grayson Allen and a hologram of Vince Carter.

Who's playing for Australia?

The Boomers squad will get picked from Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Joe Ingles, Patty Mills, Deng Adel, Aron Baynes, Todd Blanchfield, Jonah Bolden, Mitch Creek, Cameron Gliddon, Chris Goulding, Nicholas Kay, Jock Landale, Mitch McCarron, Brock Motum and Nathan Sobey. Sure, some of those names are washed, but if we give the Boomers hometown advantage, we might just see some real competitive basketball this August.

Basketball Australia told us the official team will be announced on Wednesday 7 August.

Punters may be a little bummed that they won’t get to witness some current NBA legends in the flesh. (For reference, the highest rated remaining Team USA contender, according to NBA 2K20, is Donovan Mitchell, at #20 overall, followed by Walker at #22.) However, it’s worth noting that the 2010 FIBA squad, referred to as "the B-Team", contained young guns like Durant, Curry and Russell Westbrook. Ever heard of 'em?

Will that be enough of a promise to satisfy attendees in August? Perhaps the chance to see the Boomers triumph in a world-class match-up will be a redeeming factor for fans.

Or, will resale websites become inundated over the next few weeks by disappointed NBA die-hards who purchased tickets over a year ago?

Take heart, you'll get to see all your faves in Space Jam 2 instead.

The Boomers face off against Team USA at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on 22 and 24 August.

Header Image: TEG Live