The 2007-08 NBL season enters a short break this month with the NBL All-Star game taking place between a World All-Star and Aussie All-Star team. In looking at the Aussie team, it seems an appropriate juncture to see just where the Australian national team, the Boomers, stand only months away from the Beijing Olympics.

The all-star team, made up of Australian-born NBL players such as CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey and Glen Saville, is strong, but one can’t help but cast an eye abroad to see just how strong the Boomers could become nearer Olympics time and potentially boast the largest ever number of non-NBL playing Australians on its roster in international competition.

Looking abroad, one thing is apparent – the top calibre Australians are winning. David Andersen’s CSKA Moscow tops Group A of the Euroleague (6-1) and is second in the Russian Superleague (10-1). Matt Nielsen, also a competitor in the Euroleague by starting up front for Lietuvos Rytas, enjoys top spot in Group B (5-2) while they’re second in the SEB BBL (8-1) and unbeaten sitting atop the LKL (7-0). Continuing the winning ethos abroad is Brad Newley for Panionios who are equal second in the Greek A1 league (6-1).

'Injuries and insurance releases from club sides pending, one thing is certain - the tools are in the shed this time around for the Boomers'


In the States, freshman Centre AJ Ogilvy’s Vanderbilt are unbeaten at 8-0, their best start to a season since 2003-4. Fellow freshman Patrick Mills is enjoying an unbeaten run with St. Mary’s (6-0) while of the more notable Aussies in the states, Andrew Bogut's Milwaukee Bucks are yet to hit their straps at 8-9 and currently sit third in the Central Division East.

In the NBL, there are a number of Boomers also enjoying winning ways. CJ Bruton and Sam Mackinnon of defending champions Brisbane Bullets currently sit third on the ladder (10-5) while Chris Anstey’s Tigers sit second (9-4). Jason Smith’s Sydney Kings, under coach Brian Goorjian, also the Boomers head coach, are untouchable of late sitting on top of the ladder mid-way through the season (14-2).

What does all this mean? Australia’s best are running the hardwood floor as winners gaining a confidence which should see them arrive at camp in preparation for the Olympics full of gusto to get the job done.

Individually, there are certain players making a lot of noise. The usual suspects are in good form, such as Chris Anstey, averaging 20.9 PPG and leading the league in rebounds at 11.3 per outing, and CJ Bruton, tied for the most points per game of all Australian’s in the NBL at 21.1.

After a few lean years at the guard positions following the retirement of Boomer legends Andrew Gaze and Shane Heal, there appears to be light at the end of this tunnel. Patrick Mills, at just 19 years of age, is off to a blinder for St. Mary’s College averaging 16.3 PPG and 4.8 APG through six games. He stamped his name in bold letters after a 37-point haul against the then No.11-ranked Oregon University in late November – the most ever by a freshman and sixth best overall in the school’s history.

Not to be forgotten is Brad Newley of Panionios in the highly competitive Greek League. You can only be impressed at an outing last month against AEK. Athens that saw him net 32 points on not only 12-of-12 shooting from the floor, but a new Greek league record of 8-of-8 from behind the 3-point arc.

The Boomers front court is still in strong shape. David Anderson continues his consistent high performances for CSKA with an almost scary 58% success rate (in the Russian Super League) from 3-point land. Remember this guy stands at 212cm. Andersen, together with the Tigers' Anstey are formidable enough, but Matt Nielsen of Lietuvos Rytas cannot be forgotten. Nielsen brings a wealth of experience from his time in the Greek League and the last two years with the Lithuanian Rytas outift.

Injuries and insurance releases from club sides pending, one thing is certain - the tools are in the shed this time around for the Boomers. There is no need for further wake-up calls. Failure to qualify at the 2002 Worlds, 9th in Athens and 13th at the 2006 Worlds should be all that is needed for a team to realise things weren’t functioning as they should.

The huge success of the world champions Australian cricket team, along with the recently crowned world champion netballers, has moved the Boomers to the back of the Australian sporting public’s mind.

An Olympic medal beckons. What will determine that being a reality is each player’s commitment to the national cause and putting it together on the world stage. Boomers fans have years of international basketball frustration to let out. If they get a chance, you can bet it’ll be an almighty roar.