By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Australia is in the toughest group of the 2019 FIBA World Cup, but surely is able to progress to the second round. Interviewed by FIBA, Jonah Bolden discussed his National Team’s goals at China underlining that the potential for a great run is there.
First up on September 1st will be Canada, Australia will then go against Senegal on September 3rd and Lithuania on September 5th. “It’s exciting because we are going to start the competition being already focused and having to play our A-game because we are in a very tough group where every game is going to be hard to win” Bolden Said.
“But we are also confident about our talent and our potential. We want to have a superb run in China and fight for the top spots of the tournament” the 23-year-old big added. “We don’t give that much importance to being favorites or not. We just want to win no matter what” he mentioned as well.
Talking about the Boomers’ preparation, he pointed out: “Australia’s National Team has been working very well in order to be between the best National Teams in the world, and we want to show it also this summer.”
“We will play with the same level of motivation against every team; France, Germany or any other and we know that we are going to face the most competitive teams in the world during our time in China” he explained and went on: “To go far in a tournament like the FIBA World Cup, we have to beat every team or almost every team. We won’t be afraid to compete, and we will be excited and focused to have a fantastic campaign this summer and make our fans proud.”
“We have the potential, the talent and the motivation to do something great in the FIBA World Cup” Bolden said and added: “We are ambitious, and we talk about it pretty often with the guys. The pool of players is very deep, everyone is very excited about the possibility to represent the Boomers, and we want to help Australia win medals and the title.”
On the players that will fit in the final squad: “It’s going to be very competitive, and the fight to get into the last 12 guys that are going to China is going to be great. We have many veterans, such as Bogut, Delly, and Ingles that know how to compete at this level, and some young guys who want to help, such as myself, Benny Simmons and many more.”
Asked about his Philadelphia 76ers’ teammate, he replied: “Benny is such a talented player, and he will help us a lot. He did show in the last years that he is already one of the best players in the game. I really enjoy playing with him in Philadelphia, and I am also looking forward to the possibility of playing with him this summer. He can be one of the stars of the FIBA World Cup, and I am sure that a lot of fans are going to cheer for him in China!”
In conclusion, he mentioned: “I am very excited and looking forward to the present and for the years to come with the Boomers. We have the possibility to achieve great things and keep working hard to be one of the top nations of basketball in the world. We all want the Boomers to win medals and titles, and I want to help the team and the guys doing so.”
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