The Boomers squad for the games has expanded to 35 as they begin their preparations for the tournament in Japan from August 19 to September 2.

The large squad has gained a lot of height for the World Championship campaign, with NBA player Andrew Bogut (Milwaukee Bucks) confirming his enthusiasm and availability along with European stars, Matt Nielsen (Leitvos Rytas), Wade Helliwell (Lottomatica Roma) and David Andersen* (CSKA Moscow). 2005/06 Philips Championship MVP, Chris Anstey (Melbourne Tigers), and seven-footer Luke Schenscher (Chicago Bulls) have both been named in the squad. These six inside men have dramatically boosted the size of Australia’s inside game.

The Boomers international commitments will start with their first camp of the year in late June when they converge on the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. After another camp and four matches against New Zealand, the team will head into August’s Boris Stankovic Cup hoping for another good showing after their third placing in 2005.

Their World Championship campaign starts on August 19 against Brazil in the Japanese city of Hamamatsu.

Boomers head coach Brian Goorjian is currently in the US and has watched Bogut and Schenscher play with their respective NBA teams and also took Aaron Bruce (Baylor University) through an individual work out. He is looking forward to a strong showing in this year’s Championships, as the team continues to rebuild.

The Boomers missed the 2002 World Championships in Indianapolis after they lost the 2001 qualifying tournament against New Zealand. A young, and re-formed Boomers team finished ninth at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, and the leadership group that emerged from that team will make up the core of senior players for the team in the 2006 Championships.

Boomers squad:
David Andersen* (CSKA Moscow), Chris Anstey (Melbourne Tigers), David Barlow (Sydney Kings), Stephen Black (Brisbane Bullets), Andrew Bogut (Milwaukee Bucks, USA), Aaron Bruce (Baylor University, USA), CJ Bruton (Sydney Kings), Adam Caporn (Perth Wildcats), Peter Crawford (Perth Wildcats), Ian Crosswhite (Sydney Kings), Brad Davidson (Manawatu, NZ), Daniel Dillon (Arizona, USA), Oscar Forman (NZ Breakers), James Harvey (West Sydney Razorbacks), Wade Helliwell (Lottomatica Roma, Italy), Russell Hinder (Sydney Kings), Jacob Holmes (South Dragons), Nathan Jawai (AIS), Luke Kendall (Sydney Kings), Daniel Kickert (Saint Mary’s, USA), Matthew Knight (LMU, USA), Sam Mackinnon (Brisbane Bullets), Alex Maric (Nebraska, USA), Steven Markovic (BC Red Star, Serbia & Montengro), Damian Martin (LMU, USA), Patrick Mills (AIS), Neil Mottram (Melbourne Tigers), Brad Newley (Townsville Crocs), Matthew Nielsen (Leitvos Rytas, Lithuania), Damian Ryan (Italy), Glen Saville (Wollongong Hawks), Luke Schenscher (Chicago Bulls, USA), Jason Smith (Sydney Kings), Greg Vanderjagt (Townsville Crocs), Mark Worthington (Sydney Kings).

Boomers 2006 schedule:
19–25 June Training Camp Canberra, ACT
3–9 July Training Camp Terrigal, NSW
10-15 July Tour of New Zealand
11 July Training Napier, NZ
12 July Ramsay Shield match v NZ Napier, NZ
14 July Ramsay Shield match v NZ Napier, NZ
15 July Travel to Australia
16 July Training TBA
17 July Ramsay Shield match v NZ TBA
19 July Ramsay Shield match v NZ TBA
3 August Training Camp Gold Coast, QLD
7-15 August Tour of China
8-10 August Training Nanjing, China
11 August Boris Stankovic Cup v Greece Nanjing, China
13 August Boris Stankovic Cup v France Nanjing, China
14 August Travel to Kunshan, China
15 August Boris Stankovic Cup final match Kunshan, China
16 August Travel to Tokyo
19 Aug–2 Sept FIBA World Championship for Men Hamamatsu and Tokyo, Japan

*David Andersen is still under an injury cloud after breaking his leg in January.