Boomers Greats: Baynes Has Unfinished Business

With multiple appearances at World Cups and the Olympics for his country over the past 13 years, Aron Baynes is one of the most celebrated players in the Boomers’ coveted history.

So it would have come as a great surprise to many when the 36-year-old was missing from the extended World Cup squad on Monday.

But according to one of Australia’s all-time greats, Andrew Gaze, it’s certainly not the end of Baynes’ time in the green and gold.

“I don’t see that omission as he’s got the red texta through him and his international career is over,” Gaze said on The Huddle.

“I think it’s just more of an example of what he’s been through over the last couple of years since Tokyo and coming back playing in the NBL, getting his body and mind right for international basketball.”

Baynes suffered a serious injury to his spinal cord during the 2020 Olympics’ campaign, and faced an uphill battle just to get back playing basketball.

After a challenging recovery period, he made a successful return with the Brisbane Bullets across NBL23, and with a season under his belt and an injury-free run, should be back bigger and better for NBL24.

“Clearly the coaching staff didn’t think he (Baynes) was ready for this particular campaign, but I wouldn’t necessarily put a red texta through him for next year’s Olympics,” Gaze added.

Former Boomer Chris Anstey joined the chorus of support for Baynes, stating it was “surprising” he wasn’t named in the squad.

“I’m not one to question Goorj’s selection, but past history and performance would suggest that you at least put Aron in the camp,” Anstey told News Corp.

Baynes played 576 games in the NBA during stints at San Antonio, Detroit, Boston, Phoenix and Toronto.

He also boasts experience in Europe, where he played in Slovenia, Greece, Germany and Lithuania.