Rising coach set to lead Boomers at Asia Cup Qualifiers
HAVING earned his stripes as an assistant coach in the National Basketball League (NBL), Jacob Chance will be at the helm of the Australian Boomers at the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifying Tournament.
Chance is currently an assistant coach at Melbourne United and has spent time on the coaching staff of the Tasmania JackJumpers and the Perth Wildcats in the past, and now gets his chance in the top job as the Boomers face off against Thailand on November 21 and Korea on November 24.
“I’ve had a good depth of experience in professional basketball over the last decade with both the Boomers and in the NBL. Having exposure to major tournaments like the FIBA Asia Cup, World Cup, Olympics and other windows fills me with confidence for the challenge ahead,” Chance said.
“I’m really proud and also grateful to Basketball Australia and Jason Smith for backing in the pathway of Aussie coaches and I know Kerry, Robbie and myself will take plenty away from the experience.”
Chance will lead a side that is mixed with experienced heads and fresh faces, and includes several players from the Tokyo Olympic team that brought home the bronze. Players such as Chris Goulding, Nathan Sobey and Nick Kay have tasted success and international level, and will guide their younger teammates who have not represented Australia in the past.
Next Star Rocco Zikarsky will don the Green and Gold as he continues his development and journey towards the NBA, while fellow young gun Lachlan Olbrich and NBL breakout star William Hickey make up the two Aussie debutants.
Wildcats youngster Ben Henshall is another intriguing name on the list, and will be better for the international experience, while Jordan Hunter, Mitch Norton and Jack White have been rewarded for strong runs of NBL form of late.
Rounding out the squad are Boomers frequents Sam Froling and Dejan Vasiljevic, both of whom have solid experience at international level and are reliable in their output.
The Asia Cup is set to take place in Saudi Arabia next year and the Aussies will need to get the job done against their upcoming opponents if they are to book a spot at the tournament.
| FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers | |
| Sam Froling | Mitch Norton |
| Chris Goulding | Lachlan Olbrich |
| Ben Henshall | Nathan Sobey |
| Will ‘Davo’ Hickey | DJ Vasiljevic |
| Jordan Hunter | Jack White |
| Nick Kay | Rocco Zikarsky |
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