- Boomers beat China in a pre-Olympic friendly
- Jack McVeigh shined in the Australian national team
- Duop Reath appeared to headbutt an opposing player
Jack McVeigh has given his Olympic selection hopes a major boost with a standout performance in the Boomers’ 107-87 friendly win over China.
While some of Australia’s biggest names took it easy, McVeigh was firing on all cylinders in Tuesday night’s warm-up match in Melbourne.
The 203cm forward exploded in the second and third quarters, hitting six of eight three-point attempts to finish with a team-high 24 points.
Duop Reath (21 points, six rebounds), Xavier Cooks (10 points, seven rebounds, six assists) and Chris Goulding (14 points) also reached double figures.
Goulding shot 4-of-7 from three-point range in a solid second half, showing her worth off the bench and filling her role magnificently.
Tempers flared in the final quarter when Reath became involved in an unpleasant incident with Runwang Du, losing his cool in a confrontation and appearing to headbutt his opponent.
Du fell theatrically to the ground, while Reath was awarded an unsportsmanlike foul.
“I love watching him play. He’s got a lot of energy,” McVeigh said of Reath.
“He’s a passionate guy and it’s fun to be on the court with him.”
NBL star Jack McVeigh (pictured) was the Boomers’ standout player.
Patty Mills and fellow NBA star Josh Giddey (pictured) were in the starting five.
McVeigh was the headline act in his return to John Cain Arena, where he dominated the NBL Championship Series to lead Tasmania to its first title in March, as he chases a ticket to what would be his first Olympic appearance.
“I feel like that’s what I do; I back myself,” McVeigh said of his eye-catching display.
‘At this point it’s still up to the coaches, but I’m just trying to influence the victory and help the Boomers win a medal.
‘I’m not on drugs right now, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
‘I’m going to show up for training tomorrow and give my best, then we have another match on Thursday.
‘If I make the team, I’ll be secured and ready to go to Paris.
‘I love playing basketball and I’m grateful to be able to do it here.’
Boomers captain Patty Mills and fellow NBA star Josh Giddey were in the starting five against China in front of 8,142 fans, but played less than 10 minutes each and sat out the entire second half.
China and the Boomers will meet again for a friendly on Thursday night
Josh Green and Dante Exum did not participate after playing for the Dallas Mavericks in last month’s NBA Finals, and Jock Landale was also absent.
China took the lead when Sanning Lioa scored her first seven points and the visitors led 32-25 at the quarter thanks to five-of-seven shots from deep.
But McVeigh scored 10 points in the second period and 13 in the first half, helping the home team to a 51-48 lead at the main break.
Goulding injected herself into the game with a trio of 3-pointers in a dominant third period for the Boomers, who took an 81-64 lead with one quarter left.
The Boomers had 13 of 14 players on the scoreboard (Mills was the only absentee) and eight made long-range shots.
Liao was China’s top player with a game-high 26 points on 11-of-16 shooting.
The teams will meet again in Melbourne on Thursday night.
Earlier at John Cain Arena, the Rollers defeated Japan 59-52 in the men’s wheelchair competition, while Australia’s men’s and women’s 3×3 teams earned wins over China.
The Gliders were defeated by Japan 45-38 in their women’s wheelchair match.