The Australian Boomers team to face China in the Sino-Australia Challenge has been announced, headlined by Perth Wildcats fan favourite Jesse Wagstaff, ahead of Game One at Perth Arena on Friday 7 June.

Coming off another strong NBL campaign for the Wildcats, Wagstaff has impressed new Boomers Head Coach Andrej Lemanis, earning selection for the three-time NBL Championship-winning coach’s first series in charge of the men’s national team.

Wagstaff is part of a 12-man team sporting a strong mix of NBL stars and emerging Boomers talent, with six players in line to make their full senior debuts at Perth Arena.

Lemanis said the team selected to take on China will give fans an insight into the bright future of national team.

“From a coaches perspective we were really glad that it was a difficult selection process, with all players showing they had something to offer the program,” Lemanis said.

“With the final 12 now selected I’m looking forward to building the synergy of our group and watching the development of this team on the international arena.

“We have six players representing the Boomers for the first time, which is a great opportunity for those players to gain experience at this level and stake their claim for future national representation.

“I’m looking forward to what will be a great series against China.”

In addition to Wagstaff, there is a distinctly Western Australian flavour to the squad with Perth natives Luke Nevill (Kalamunda) and Daniel Johnson (Willtton), joining South West's Cameron Gliddon for the four-game series.

The Adelaide 36ers are the best represented of the NBL clubs, with four players named in the final team, led by 2012 London Olympian Adam Gibson, Jason Cadee, Anthony Petrie and Johnson.

After celebrating his 30th birthday on Monday, Petrie will suit up for the first time in the green and gold on Friday night after earning his first call-up to a Boomers training squad.

Sydney Kings star Ben Madgen earned selection following a breakout NBL season that saw him finish runner-up in the NBL MVP.

Cairns Taipans sharp-shooter Clint Steindl has been named, along with Melbourne Tigers guard Chris Goulding in the final 12.

Brisbane’s Cameron Bairstow and Melbourne’s Igor Hadziomerovic are collegiate representatives, with the University of New Mexico and Boise State University pairing set to make their Boomers debuts.

The Sino-Australia Challenge tips-off at Perth Arena on Friday 7 June, the first time international basketball will be played at the state-of-art arena. Tickets are still available through Ticketek - click here to purchase tickets online.

Game Two at the WA Basketball Centre on Sunday 9 June is officially a sell-out.

For more information about the 2013 Sino-Australia Challenge and tickets visit the Basketball Australia website at www.basketball.net.au.

Australian Boomers Team for Sino-Australia Challenge

Name / Height / Position / DOB / Club

Adam Gibson / 188cm / Guard / 30 Oct 1986 / Adelaide 36ers (NBL)
Jason Cadee / 186cm / Guard / 15 Apr 1991 / Adelaide 36ers (NBL)
Ben Madgen / 193cm / Guard / 7 Feb 1985 / Sydney Kings (NBL)
Chris Goulding / 192cm / Guard / 24 Oct 1988 / Melbourne Tigers (NBL)
Clint Steindl / 201cm / Guard-Forward / 15 Mar 1989 / Cairns Taipans (NBL)
Jesse Wagstaff / 203cm / Forward / 30 Apr 1986 / Perth Wildcats (NBL)
Anthony Petrie / 203cm/ Forward / 3 June 1983 / Adelaide 36ers (NBL)
Daniel Johnson / 212cm / Forward-Centre / 2 Apr 1988 / Adelaide 36ers (NBL)
Luke Nevill / 218cm / Centre / 19 Feb 1986 / Townsville Crocodiles (NBL)
Cameron Bairstow / 206cm / Forward / 7 Dec 1990 / University of New Mexico (USA)
Cameron Gliddon / 195cm / Guard / 16 August 1989 / Cairns Taipans (NBL)
Igor Hadziomerovic / 193cm / Guard / 1 January 1992 / Boise State University (USA)

Article & Photo by Basketball Australia