Photo: Oklahoma City Thunder/Twitter

As the FIBA World Cup approaches, 20-year-old Josh Giddey is thrilled to represent his home country of Australia on the international stage.

The young shooting guard, who completed his sophomore season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, expressed his eagerness to be a part of the national team and chase the ultimate goal of winning the gold medal.

“I’ve wanted to be in the Boomer and a part of this program for a long time,” Giddey shared. “The talent we’ve got in Australian basketball is as good as it’s ever been, with a mix of experienced veterans like Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, and Matthew Dellavedova, along with younger emerging talents. It’s a great combination, and I’m really excited to represent my country.”

Giddey, the No. 6 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, had an impressive sophomore campaign, showcasing his skills with an average of 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game during the 2022-23 season.

As Australia prepares to face off against Finland, Germany, and co-host Japan in Group E of the FIBA World Cup, Giddey’s presence promises to be a valuable asset for the team’s pursuit of glory.