Boomers Return to Perth for FIBA World Cup Qualifiers

by Pooja Bhardwaj July 1, 2026

By Pooja Bhardwaj July 1, 2026 0 comments 3 minutes read

Bryce Cotton is presented with his Australian Boomers jersey by Dean Vickerman, Associate Head Coach of the Boomers, ahead of his national team debut at the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Perth. PHOTO: Basketball Australia

Australia’s national men’s basketball team, the Boomers, will play two Australia only matches in Perth as part of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup Asian Qualifiers, according to a statement released July 1, 2026, by the Western Australian government. The matches form the concluding stage of Round One of the qualifiers, which determines which teams advance to Round Two of the campaign for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

The matches, secured by the Cook Labor Government through Tourism WA, will see the Boomers face Guam on Friday, July 3, and the Philippines on Monday, July 6, at RAC Arena.

According to the release, the twelve-man Boomers squad includes six-time NBL (National Basketball League) Most Valuable Player and former Perth Wildcats player Bryce Cotton, who will make his Australian debut with the national team. The squad also features current and former Wildcats players Keanu Pinder, Ben Henshall and Elijah Pepper, along with Perth raised players Alex Condon and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk.

According to Basketball Australia, the squad additionally includes Taran Armstrong, Josh Bannan, Mitch Creek, Angus Glover, Jack McVeigh and Tyrese Proctor, rounding out the full twelve-man roster for the July window.

Cotton reflected on the significance of the moment, saying representing the national team for the first time is “something I don’t take lightly,” and adding that the opportunity means a great deal to him and his family given where he comes from. He also spoke about his adopted country, saying Australia has “embraced me from day one,” and that he is grateful for the chance to wear the green and gold alongside his new teammates.

The government said the series marks the Boomers’ first appearance in Perth in almost seven years. It will also be the first time Western Australia has hosted FIBA World Cup Qualifier fixtures, bringing a major international basketball event to RAC Arena for the first time. The two matches are described in the release as the only opportunity for fans to see the Boomers play in Australia during the Third Window of the qualifiers.

The statement noted that the matches are expected to draw visiting fans to Western Australia and are positioned as part of the Cook Government’s economic diversification strategy, intended to support local jobs, tourism and hospitality businesses.

Western Australian Tourism Minister Reece Whitby said the Boomers’ return to Perth for the first time since 2019 was “a fantastic moment for Western Australia.” He encouraged fans to secure tickets to watch the team in action.

Whitby also pointed to the squad’s local ties, saying that having players with strong Western Australian connections alongside “fan favorites like Bryce Cotton” made the series “even more special for local fans.”

He said hosting the competition at RAC Arena would give fans the chance to see the Boomers up close while reinforcing the state’s reputation as “a world class events destination.”

Whitby added that major events of this kind play an important role in “diversifying our economy,” pointing to the way they draw visitors, support local businesses, and create jobs across the tourism and hospitality sectors.