In The Post – Thursday October 21

Catch up on all the latest headlines from around the basketball world in today’s edition of In the Post.

The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBL, its Clubs or partners. 

Goorjian disappointed in Simmons

Australian Boomers coach Brian Goorjian has expressed his disappointment in the recent actions of Ben Simmons, who has been suspended by the Philadelphia 76ers due to conduct detrimental to the team.

“I'm disappointed with Ben Simmons. When I use the term disappointed, I am referring to where he is right now. I think he can move on,” Goorjian told SEN.

According to an ESPN report, Simmons was thrown out of 76ers practice by coach Doc Rivers after he refused to participate in a drill several times. Simmons didn’t play for the Boomers at the Tokyo Olympics after withdrawing from the campaign.

Finals the goal for 36ers 

New Adelaide 36ers recruit Mitch McCarron has set the expectations high for his team heading into NBL22, declaring the club has its sights on the finals.

“The goal is to win a championship. We have got a lot of work to do in the preseason before we even get to game one and we will take it game by game. We would be disappointed if we don’t make finals,” McCarron told Channel 7.

America has woken up to Australian basketball: Giddey

Former Melbourne Tiger Warwick Giddey believes the NBA has finally recognised the immense basketball talent in Australia as his son and NBL21 Rookie of the Year Josh Giddey prepares to make his NBA debut today.

"I think America's missed the boat, maybe not in the last 10 years, but in the 20 years before that. You had great players like (Andrew) Gaze and (Mark) Bradtke, there was a wealth of Australian talent that were probably good enough to play in the NBA,” Warwick told Nine’s Wide World of Sports.

"You've got to be proud of the way they've marketed it and what they've done through the Next Stars program and really putting us on the international map. We've had the talent here for a long time and it's just good that America's finally woken up started to smell the roses.

"Hopefully, with what LaMelo's done and now Josh, it's really opened their eyes that the imports who have come here have made it a stepping-stone to the NBA."

JackJumpers on track for historic sell-out

The Tasmania JackJumpers inaugural game against the Adelaide 36ers on December 3 at MyState Bank Arena is set to be a sell-out, with the club warning general admission tickets may not be available.

“It’s looking very like that the only way you will get to see the first game is via a membership,” JackJumpers Commercial and Marketing GM Christine Finnegan said.

Goorjian “rocked” by Exum waiving

Australian Boomers coach Brian Goorjian was floored by the Houston Rockets waiving Dante Exum and he believes the 26-year-old deserves another NBA chance.

"I was kind of rocked when I heard the news. I'm just hoping that somebody else comes and knocks on his door. He's an NBA player. There's no doubt in my mind you're getting a good get,” Goorjian told AAP.