Paris Olympics: Josh Giddey determined to lead Boomers’ medal tilt

The “sour taste” left by an early World Cup exit is driving Josh Giddey’s Olympic ambitions as the Boomers ramp up their preparations for a Paris medal tilt.

Lapping up a return home before heading to Paris, Giddey declared Australian basketball was “as good as it’s ever been” after Johnny Furphy and Alex Ducas became the latest players to join the Aussie NBA contingent on Friday.

Furphy, 19, was selected by the Indiana Pacers with pick 35 in the draft before Ducas, a 22-year-old from Geraldton, joined Oklahoma City Thunder on a two-way contract.

Giddey, who linked up with the Boomers in Melbourne this week after a whirlwind 48 hours in his new home of Chicago, said the signings showed the strength of the Australian game.

“Australian basketball is as good as it’s ever been, from top to bottom I think,” he said.

“You look at the veterans that run this program, and then the kids that are coming through, we have (NBA) draft picks every year, whether that’s lottery picks, second-round picks, whatever it is … Australia has proved to be a real pipeline into the NBA and we’re seeing it now on the global stage.

“The development that kids get in this country is world-class and it’s really shown up in the NBA draft.”

Giddey said he still felt the disappointment of the Boomers’ World Cup campaign last year after they failed to reach the quarter-finals following losses to Germany and Slovenia.

It was Australia’s worst result at an international men’s basketball tournament in almost a decade.

“We know we had a sour taste from the World Cup left in our mouths, for that to finish the way it did wasn’t good for any of us,” Giddey said.

“So we’re very happy to be able to go to Paris now with another chance to get up on that podium with a gold medal. It’s exciting, we’ve got a great group of guys.

“It’s always a fun time coming back and playing in green and gold. Especially these major tournaments that happen once every four years.”

Giddey said Chicago had made a strong first impression after he quickly relocated following his trade from the Thunder to the Bulls for Alex Caruso.

“I just got back from there (Thursday morning), but I’m very excited. I think it was good for both sides to get a fresh start,” Giddey said.

“The city was great, the organisation – the front office, coaches, the guys on the team were awesome. I was only there for 48 hours but it was good to get a feel for the city and the fans.

“I know the history of that club and how far back it goes, so I’m very excited to get over there in September and get into it.”

Giddey is part of a 17-man Boomers Olympic squad which will be trimmed to 12 players following a series of exhibition games against China, the USA and Serbia in July.