NBL champ's "unreal moment" for Boomers

The Australian Boomers pulled off a last gasp win on Monday night to secure a clean sweep over rivals New Zealand during the pair's 2025 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.

After winning game one by five points in Hobart, the Boomers, headlined by nine NBL players, trailed the Tall Blacks for the majority of Monday's fixture in Wellington.

But some late game heroics by NBL25 championship winner Will Hickey secured the Boomers a buzzer-beating two-point victory.

On Tuesday's episode of NBL Now, 342-game NBL veteran and former Boomer Cam Gliddon analysed Hickey and the Boomers' performance.

"It [the buzzer beating shot] was an unreal moment," Gliddon said on NBL Now.

"I thought the Boomers were out of that one, being down 10 points with eight minutes to go.

"[But] then Davo Hickey, [produced] some magic at the end with the crazy shot.

"Credit to the Boomers for staying in the fight because they easily could have packed up shop but things happen, [like Hickey's shot] in FIBA basketball."

On the flip side, Gliddon said it was "one that got away" for the Tall Blacks, especially after winning the rebound count 52 to 43.

"[I believe they let that game] and game one both slip. Honestly, I thought they had that home game in the bag," Gliddon said.

"They're so big compared to us in that four and five position, that they outmuscle us and [dominate] the rebounds, allowing them to get so many more possessions.

"[A big part of that is Sam Mennenga] who's stepped up again from his last two seasons in the NBL.

"He's kind of figured out who he is and how he can really dominate the game. He's always been strong, athletic, and he's always had a lot to his offensive game, but it's the poise.

"He's playing with maturity this year. He knows he's going to get the ball. He knows he's going to get his shots. He knows he can take his time with it.

"It's good to see him play two great games for the Tall Blacks and obviously his season with the Breakers has been his best in the NBL [to date]."

Looking ahead, Gliddon predicted that two of the current Boomers squad could push for selection at the 2027 FIBA World Cup alongside the country's NBA stars.

"it's great to see [Jaylin] Galloway do what he's been doing," Gliddon said.

"He obviously had a great Asia Cup and led them to a gold medal there and while his NBL season hasn't gone exactly to plan, the trajectory you expect from him whenever he wears the green and gold is [right up there].

"He just gets after it and plays his game and puts his stamp on the contest.

"[The other is] Nick Kay, who we can't look past.

"He's been in it [the system] for so long, he kind of gets overlooked. Everyone talks about he's not the flashiest guy, but when it comes down to it, he's a winner.

"He makes so many winning plays that don't necessarily hit the stat sheet. Hopefully, he's another round at the World Cup or the Olympics."

Next up for the Boomers on their quest to the Qatar World Cup are qualifiers with Guam and the Philippines on February 26 and March 1 respectively.