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Jun
Caporn facing brutal call on ageing 'bronzed' Aussies
Australian Boomers legend Patty Mills celebrates a big bucket at the 2024 Olympic Games as veterans Joe Ingles and Matthew Dellavedova watch from the bench. Photo: FIBA.com
Patty Mills, Joe Ingles and Matthew Dellavedova remain in Adam Caporn's plans for the 2028 Olympics.
- Alex Condon, Tyrese Proctor, Taran Armstrong are in Boomers team
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- Is 'Boomer Bryce' Australia's next 'FIBA Patty'?
“FIBA Patty” Mills will be 38 and 40, Joe Ingles 38 and 40, and Matthew Dellavedova 36 and 38, but still, Australian Boomers coach Adam Caporn revealed all three remain in the mix for the 2027 FIBA Men’s World Cup and 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
"My conversations with the more experienced guys have been really open, that what we need from them is that we appreciate their contributions, and what we need from them is to be healthy, happy," Caporn told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"I'm not going to rule anyone out.”
It means estranged Australian Boomers point-forward Ben Simmons is also a consideration.
"I think my role is to help people flourish in their professional careers," Caporn said.
"Ben's working to get healthy, and we'll see what the future holds.
"But we're here to support him as a person first and, if there's a time when it works out, you'll wear the green and gold, we'd be ecstatic."
Patty Mills right now
Mills' first season in Spain ended with a semi-final sweep earlier this month at the hands of Barcelona, but the 37-year-old Australian proved he still has plenty left in the tank. The Boomers legend averaged 15.7 points and three assists across the three-game series for Tenerife, highlighted by a vintage 36-point explosion in Game 2, where he drilled 8-of-15 from three-point range and added three rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block in 35 minutes. Mills finished the series with 47 points, nine assists, three rebounds, a steal and a block, ensuring the conversation about his next move – whether in Europe, the NBL or with the Boomers – is only just beginning.
Joe Ingles right now
Ingles' NBA career may be over, but the Australian Boomers legend isn't finished with basketball just yet. Just days after his final game with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Melbourne United announced the soon-to-be 39-year-old had signed a two-year deal to return to the NBL, almost 20 years after launching his professional career with the South Dragons. Ingles leaves the NBA as one of Australia's greatest exports, forging an iconic career with the Utah Jazz, winning an Olympic bronze medal with the Boomers and becoming a respected leader on and off the court, while his return home adds another chapter to a career he recently admitted he wished could last "forever".
Matthew Dellavedova right now
Dellavedova remains one of Australian basketball's fiercest competitors, proving his value in NBL26 after signing a three-year deal with the Sydney Kings in April 2025. The 35-year-old point guard averaged 8.4 points, 4.8 assists and 3.1 rebounds in 34 games this season, overcoming a concussion that sidelined him for three weeks in January before returning to play a pivotal role in Sydney's championship run. Dellavedova again embraced the toughest assignments, including spending time guarding Bryce Cotton in the NBL Grand Final, while continuing to provide the leadership, defence and winning mentality that have defined his career across the NBA, Boomers and NBL.
Ben Simmons right now
Simmons' basketball future remains one of the sport's biggest mysteries as the 29-year-old former NBA All-Star has embraced a new life in professional sport fishing while remaining unsigned almost a year after his last NBA game with the Los Angeles Clippers. The unrestricted free agent became the controlling owner of the South Florida Sails in the Sport Fishing Championship and celebrated victory at the 2026 Walker's Cay Open, with Simmons appearing fully immersed in the April-to-October fishing season. Once regarded as one of the NBA's brightest stars, the three-time All-Star and 2018 Rookie of the Year has kept a low basketball profile, recently posting from the Florida Keys that he was spending more time "offline than on the phone" – with not a basketball in sight.
Boomtime for Australia heading into the World Cup and the Olympic Games
“Boomer Bryce” Cotton has arrived. The six-time MVP will play for Australia for the first time in Perth next month. His emergence has put Matisse Thybulle’s 2028 Olympic Games bid in jeopardy because only one naturalised player is allowed per team.
Chicago Bulls point guard Josh Giddey averaged a near triple-double at the start of the 2025-26 season before injury while teammate Lachlan Olbrich started to find his feet as a two-way player for the Windy City Bulls.
Atlanta Hawks point guard Dyson Daniels had a rock-solid developmental season despite his shooting woes.
Sydney-born guard Tyrese Proctor spent his rookie season behind future Hall of Famer James Harden and All-Star Donovan Mitchell in Cleveland.
Athletic wing Johnny Furphy was starting to find his feet in Indiana before tearing his ACL.
Florida Gators NCAA men’s national champion Alex Condon is a projected first-round draft pick in 2027.
Veteran Boomers centres Jock Landale and Will Magnay will undoubtedly anchor the front court as Minnesota Timberwolves two-way rookie Rocco Zikarsky is developing into a long-term Boomers big man.
Caporn has Charlotte Hornets defensive guard Josh Green as an option, and then there’s rising stars Luke Paul, Jai Fa'ale, Taran Armstrong, and Elijah Pepper alongside a core group of veterans, including William "Davo" Hickey, Jack McVeigh, Angus Glover, Josh Bannan, Jack White and Mitch Creek.
Australian Boomers Squad – FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers in July 2026
- Taran Armstrong – Tasmania JackJumpers
- Josh Bannan – Tasmania JackJumpers
- Bryce Cotton – Adelaide 36ers
- Alex Condon – Florida Gators (NCAA)
- Mitch Creek – Vancouver Bandits (CEBL)
- Angus Glover – South East Melbourne Phoenix
- Ben Henshall – Perth Wildcats
- Jack McVeigh – Cairns Taipans
- Elijah Pepper – Perth Wildcats
- Keanu Pinder – Cairns Taipans
- Tyrese Proctor – Cleveland Cavaliers
- Wani Swaka Lo Buluk – Illawarra Hawks
Where Mills, Ingles, and Dellavedova would fit in a 12-man World Cup and Olympic Games team in two years’ time will be a challenging decision for Caporn.
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