Who’s Playing for Australia’s Boomers Against Team USA (Now That Ben Simmons Is Out)?

Bye bye, Ben.

Last week, we wondered who would be left on Team USA for the upcoming friendlies against Australia’s Boomers, after nine of the NBA’s biggest names withdrew from training camp.

Now, with Aussie-born Ben Simmons officially pulling out of August’s Melbourne matches too, we’re no longer even sure who’ll be representing Australia.

And with fans being told refunds are unlikely for the pricey games, maybe they should instead wear their Boomers jerseys and prepare to get called into action.

So, remind us: Who’s playing for Team USA?

USA Basketball told Student Edge the 12-man team will likely be named on 17 August, "the day after we play our exhibition game versus Spain in Anaheim, California."

Those 12 names will be pulled from the remaining (as of this writing) roster of 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.

And who’s playing for Australia?

Well, not Ben Simmons!

Basketball superstar @BenSimmons25 says missing exhibition games against USA is to allow Aussie team to gel before World Cup. Understands fans’ disappointment, says priority is about winning a medal at the Olympics. @abcmelbourne @abcgrandstand pic.twitter.com/VRE4GcbpWT

— James Oaten (@james_oaten) July 28, 2019

The Philadelphia 76ers star and former #1 draft pick initially said he would not participate in September’s FIBA World Cup, but would still return to Melbourne for the Team USA bouts. However, over the weekend, after consulting with Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis, Simmons decided to sit out those games as well (including the friendlies against Team Canada in Perth, which will hopefully see R.J. Barrett, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kelly Olynyk and Tristan Thompson represent Canada in WA).

"With our focus being to win a medal at the 2020 Olympics, the Boomers' preparation in the lead up to the world championships is of the utmost importance and me not playing allows the team to create the chemistry they need to compete at the highest level and qualify for the Olympics," he said.

"I want to thank Basketball Australia for their continued support and I'm committed and excited to compete in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo."

That now leaves the Boomers with 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.

Pumped for the Boomers camp next week. Always special to be selected and fit/healthy to play ! https://t.co/q1unOBqC45

— Andrew Bogut (@andrewbogut) July 28, 2019

Perth’s Thon Maker, of the Detroit Pistons, was previously shortlisted, but withdrew back in May. A number of other former Boomers players are listed on the website, but were not included in the announced 17-man FIBA squad. 

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

Are you sure I can’t get a refund?

It really seems unlikely.

According to Pick and Roll, a punter requested a refund from Ticketmaster, but was rebuffed, with the ticketing outlet noting that "injuries, suspensions, team balance and form play a part in determining the final squads."

“We are very excited that these games will feature the strongest USA Team ever to play in Australia and they will face the strongest ever Boomers team. These are not just exhibition games—they are crucially important final preparations before the FIBA World Cup—with huge stakes involved. So they will be fiercely contested and incredible sporting events in front of a massive sell-out crowd of mainly Boomers fans! We hope you understand and we look forward to sharing this momentous sporting event with us in August.”

Will these games still be good?

This may come across like the desperate, crossed-fingers screech of someone who shelled out for said tickets, but yes! Though no players ever want to get injured in a friendly, those who participate will want to put their best foot forward if they want to compete in the FIBA World Cup in China, especially ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games. And even if the final squads don’t include any of the NBA’s top 20 players, the games will see some of the best hoopers ever assembled down under.

… so long as absolutely no one else drops out after this article’s publication.

The Boomers face off against Team USA at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on 22 and 24 August. The Boomers also played Canada Basketball in Perth on 16 and 17 August.

Header Image: Twitter (@BenSimmons25)