What Was It?

FIBA Oceania Men’s Basketball Championships

What Happened?

Australia, as expected, came out on top in the two game series to claim the Oceania Men’s Basketball Championship. A 70-59 win in Auckland gave the Aussie Boomers the advantage, and they hammered it home with a 76-53 win in Canberra.

How It Happened?

New Zealand competed well in the first halves of each game, leading at home at half time before letting a 6 point lead slip in the third, then after a strong first half shooting performance in Canberra gave the Tall Blacks a 39-33 HT lead, they once more collapsed in the third as San Antonio Spur Patty Mills took control, just as he did in the first game. In fact both games were almost carbon copies of each other. Full credit to anyone who took Australia to match the line at the TAB.

Key Performers:

The aforementioned Patty Mills was beyond doubt the man of the series. He lead all scorers in both games (20 and 21 points), and showed just why he was the top scorer at the London Olympics. Mills’ performance was not a surprise, he was the most established professional player on display. He spent a lot of time at the two guard spot, as opposed to his usual station at the point, which he prefers, although shooting guard arguably plays more to his advantages as a scorer. Australia was also helped by strong efforts from Matt Dellavedova and David Andersen.

For New Zealand, Corey Webster led scoring in both games (14 and 16), while Mika Vukona and Casey Frank were their usual efficient selves. Tom Abercrombie, fresh out of the NBA Summer Camps, was off his game, as he struggled to dominate the way he does for the Breakers.

What It Means?

Really, not a lot. Being as there are only two competitive nations in Oceania basketball, and both have already qualified for the 2014 FIBA world cup, this was more of a glorified exhibition series than anything. Australia do get themselves some bragging rights though. And Patty Mills won a watch. Both teams were missing their very top players (e.g. Steven Adams & Kirk Penney for NZ, Andrew Bogut for Oz), and used this game as on opportunity to give some young guys experience. The Tall Blacks gave games to 18 year old Ruben Te Rangi, 17yo Jack Salt and and 16yo Izayah Mauriohooho Le’afa.

Players To Keep An Eye On:

One such man stand out above the rest here. Dante Exum is a hugely promising guard for Australia, getting enormous raps in the US. He’s being talked about as a possible top five draft pick next year. Dante is the son of Cecil Exum, a US born former pro, who became a naturalised Aussie citizen after moving there to play in the ANBL. Dante Exum didn’t make a hige splash in this series, playing behind Patty Mills doesn’t really help, but he’s definitely a guy to follow as he likely enters the college system this year. 17 year old Ben Simmons (Aus) is currently at prep school in Florida as he chases an opportunity to enter the college system too, and Cameron Bairstow (who netted 11 points in the Canberra game) has been plying his trade at the University of New Mexico, former home to the Indiana Pacer’s Danny Granger. Most immediately relevant though, Matthew Dellavedova, after going undrafted this year, has been invited to NBA training camp with the Cleveland Cavaliers, having impressed during summer leagues.

The Tall Blacks aren’t quite as stacked for future talent, but they do have a few local rising stars. Jack Salt and Ruben Te Rangi are highly rated in the Breakers academy, whist Jordan Ngati is making a go of it for Brigham Young University in Hawaii. Nice gig if you can get it.

What’s Next?

For the national teams, the 2014 world cup is the big carrot. Preparations are already on going for that. The ANBL season is into preseason already, and the NZ Breakers will be looking to add to their already impressive dynasty when the regular season begins on October 10 (when retired local legend Dillon Boucher’s jersey will be retired). Patty Mills will be heading straight back into preseason training with the San Antonio Spurs, ahead of the new NBA season, which tips off late October.