Liam Santamaria

Boomers Mean Business

Boomers Mean Business

Wow! This morning’s 87-66 demolition of France has given the Boomers a massive opportunity to create history in Rio. The win brings about the genuine possibility of a second place finish for Australia in Group A. That would result in a favourable quarter final matchup and a legitimate shot at Australia’s first ever men’s major championship medal. The Boomers have… Read more →

Boomers Stars use 'Pure' Hoops to Prepare for Rio

Boomers Stars use ‘Pure’ Hoops to Prepare for Rio

No cameras. No coaches. No refs. This was basketball in its purest form. Just days before the Australian Boomers gather in Melbourne for a gruelling ten day camp, four members of Andrej Lemanis’ squad spent Friday morning scrimmaging against a group of Melbourne United reserves. Olympic preparation in the raw. Joe Ingles (Utah Jazz), Patty Mills (San Antonio Spurs), David… Read more →

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 48 minutes of vintage LeBron James away from pulling off one of the greatest comebacks in sports history. Down 3-1 against the defending champions – a historically great team – these Finals were in the refrigerator. The door was closed, the lights were out, the eggs were cooling, the butter was getting hard and the Jell-O… Read more →

Damon Lowery: “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up”

Damon Lowery: “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up”

Editor’s Note: On April 16, 2001, Damon Lowery sent the Wollongong Hawks to the 2001 NBL grand final series with a memorable trio of free throws against the Adelaide 36ers. To mark the anniversary, we’re reposting Liam Santamaria’s interview with Lowery, which was first published on March 20, 2014. Damon Lowery is a legend of Australian Basketball.  He hooped here… Read more →

Q&A: Rob Beveridge on Family, Misperceptions and Big Macs

Q&A: Rob Beveridge on Family, Misperceptions and Big Macs

Rob Beveridge has the Illawarra Hawks soaring. Winners of six of their past seven games, the Hawks suddenly look like genuine championship contenders. Is anybody surprised? Beveridge, with his wealth of knowledge, championship experience and relationships with players far and wide, was a sensational hire by GM Kim Welch and the Illawarra ownership. His team’s exciting style and his ability… Read more →

A Very Broekhoff Christmas

A Very Broekhoff Christmas

Aussie Boomers and Lokomotiv Kuban sharpshooter Ryan Broekhoff got his creep on in Russia this week to ‘prank’ a local fan. Broekhoff, who is currently enjoying a terrific debut season in the Euroleague, disguised himself as a ‘creepy taxi driver’ to “prove that miracles do come true” around Christmas time. Lots of fun being able to do something special for a great… Read more →

All Aboard the Ben Simmons Hype Train

All Aboard the Ben Simmons Hype Train

The Ben Simmons hype train is officially thundering down the line and, best believe, it’s stopping all stations. Playing his freshman year at Louisiana State University, Simmons is currently averaging 19 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists while shooting 50 percent from the field. Though only eight games into his (likely) one-and-done collegiate career, Simmons already has the basketball world delirious… Read more →

How Mirko Got His Groove Back

How Mirko Got His Groove Back

Townsville Crocodiles guard Mirko Djeric has gone from zero to hero in less than a week. The vision of Djeric bouncing the ball hard into his own face circulated the nation last weekend.  It was an embarrassing moment, one magnified by the instant sharing capabilities of the social media age and Australian sports fans love of the ‘falcon’. Best falcon of… Read more →

The MVP vs. Clause 10.4

The MVP vs. Clause 10.4

The 2014/15 MVP Award was both a blessing and a curse for Brian Conklin. That trophy, and the title that came with it, delivered Conklin due recognition and prestige.  It also gave him bargaining power; leverage he used to negotiate a lucrative deal (by NBL standards) during the off-season to return to the Townsville Crocs. But it also heightened expectations…. Read more →

The Inside Story of Andrew Bogut's Inspirational Oceania Game 2

The Inside Story of Andrew Bogut’s Inspirational Oceania Game 2

Australian Boomers head coach Andrej Lemanis has revealed that Andrew Bogut was struggling to walk after Game 1 of the recent Olympic Qualifying series against New Zealand and believes the NBA Champion’s dominant performance in Game 2 was nothing short of amazing. Speaking at the annual Pete’s Bar Basketball luncheon in Melbourne yesterday alongside Opals head coach Brendan Joyce, Lemanis offered… Read more →