Hoops

Chris Goulding Exclusion

One thing to remember with Cadee was that following the Boomers camp and subsequent Argentina series he was involved in a very severe car accident where he was lucky to survive let alone play basketball again.

If it wasnt for that accident Im sure he would have continued his rapid development (the Blaze brought in an import guard in Hudson to help cover Cadee's inability to play the minutes they expected when he was signed) and could very well have been now commanding a place in Boomers calculations without anyone even giving it a 2nd thought.

The coaching staff obvioulsy see a very big upside with him and are keen to help him get back on track so he can fulfil the potential he showed before the accident.

I think the posters have raised some good points, particularly about the value or not of a boomers singlet.

Being called into a training squad (Exum, Jervis, Joyce and Lven) doesn't make you a Boomer, however I agree a certain level of devaluation occurs with players selected either ahead of their time, or totally unworthy.

Whilst its easy to see potential, I think a players record and the distane they are from playing senior basketball for our country is something Brown and Co. should be more mindful of. For that reason, if fit, I would have guys like Goulding (well credentialled Junior Aussie, expereinced NBL-er, good Intl potential) over a kid like Exum (Just made Aus U17s).

Personally I never liked less expereinced, skilled or physically able players in my training squads. If we want a U17 to be tested he should train with the U19s or Universiade squads.

I think there is a time and a place to get young guys involved, and it is when there is an initial camp, that's the time to do it. And FWIW, this is the first initial camp. So it is great to expose the promising talent at this level at this stage so they see what is required to make it to that next level.

I think with some of the late inclusions in particular, they were struggling to get anough fit players to commit so they could have an adequate scrimmage! They still only have 16 players fit at the camp as far as I'm aware.

I dont like it.I think it's getting to the point where youth is almost becoming more important than skill, experience and 'proven performance' (Goulding).

Do people think that it downgrades the reputation of the Boomers by selecting young guys like Exum?

I think it is unfair to guys like Goulding that a player like Exum can get an opportunity to be part of the Boomers squad, when he hasn't really proved anything at a level of basketball even remotely close to International basketball.
It seems like 'if your young and you attend the AIS' then youl get a Boomer call up.

sort of/not really. he still has some developing to do imo. he is great when he is switched on but when he isnt he isnt extremely useful. with a bit more experience he will definitely be a boomer. thats my 2 cents worth