Holt from the Blue: Boomers name three debutants

A little over three months ago, Jacob Holt hadn’t played an NBL game.

On November 8, 2025, he took to the court against the Tasmania JackJumpers for 11 minutes.

102 days on, he’s a member of the Australian Boomers squad.

It’s been quite the rise for the powerful big man, who took on a vital role in the absence of Tyrell Harrison across the past month with the Brisbane Bullets.

At just 22 years old, he looks one of the NBL’s and Australia’s most exciting prospects.

Holt is one of three debutants for the Boomers’ games against Guam and the Philippines on February 26 and March 1 respectively, alongside Melbourne’s Tanner Krebs and Cairns’ Kody Stattmann.

It’s a first-time call-up for John Rillie too, who will lead the Australian team into action for the latest FIBA World Cup Qualifiers as head coach.

The Boomers have called on a strong range of youth and experience for the all-important games during the FIBA Break, with Mitch Creek (U-BT Cluj-Napoca – Romania), Jack White (Mersin MSK, Basketbol Süper Ligi) and Nick Kay (Shimane Susanoo, B. League) among the more experienced stars in the squad.

FIBA Asia Cup winners Sam Froling (Illawarra) and David Okwera (Perth) are also on the roster, alongside fellow NBL-rostered players Tom Wilson (Melbourne), Elijah Pepper (Perth) and Isaac White (Adelaide).

The Boomers tipped off their FIBA World Cup qualifying with back-to-back wins over New Zealand in November.

Mitch Creek – U-BT Cluj-Napoca
Sam Froling – Illawarra Hawks
Jacob Holt – Brisbane Bullets
Nick Kay – Shimane Susanoo
Tanner Krebs – Melbourne United
David Okwera – Perth Wildcats
Elijah Pepper – Perth Wildcats
Reyne Smith – Cairns Taipans
Kody Stattmann – Cairns Taipans
Isaac White – Adelaide 36ers
Jack White – Mersin MSK
Tom Wilson – Melbourne United

Guam v Australia
Thursday, February 26 - 8pm AEDT
University of Guam Field House

Philippines v Australia
Sunday, March 1 - 8:30pm AEDT
Mall of Asia Arena