Vickerman grateful for ‘special opportunity’ to lead Boomers

Written by Melbourne United Media

After earning the opportunity to lead Australia in its final pair of World Cup qualifying games, Melbourne United Head Coach Dean Vickerman said he feels privileged to have been able to represent his nation.

Speaking after finishing his stint with the Boomers undefeated, Vickerman said it had been too difficult to step away from his United side mid-season in the past to take up the opportunity.

“I feel privileged to wear the green and gold,” he said.

“It was a pretty special opportunity that I haven’t been able to take in the past, so to join this group meant a lot.

“It can be really difficult to step away from a program in the middle of a season and be a part of the Boomers, so when this opportunity came up, I certainly grabbed it.”

Vickerman enjoyed a sense of familiarity within the Boomers team for his pair of games, with Isaac Humphries and Mason Peatling making up part of the frontcourt, while his former United guard Mitch McCarron roamed the perimeter.

Looking at his squad, the coach said his side’s performance was a testament to the depth of Australian basketball talent.

“Putting the squad together I thought there was a really good mix of experienced guys, guys who had solid seasons in the NBL and a young group from Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence,” he continued.

“The group connected really well. While Mason and Isaac were really good contributors on the floor, they did a great job with this group gelling off the court as well.”

“There is a great depth of Australian talent, I think that’s what the FIBA windows have really shown. Every player who has come through this group throughout the World Cup qualifiers can feel like they have done their part in getting Australia the best seeding possible for the World Cup.”

With the qualifying games behind him, Vickerman will resume his focus on United’s offseason as he looks to put together a group that will lock down on defence and excite fans.