Angus Brandt of Springwood selected in Australian Boomers team to play in Lebanon for the FIBA Asia Cup

Angus Brandt, who grew up in Springwood, has been named in the Australian Boomers 12-man basketball team to play in the FIBA [International Basketball Federation] Asia Cup in August.

The results from the Cup, to be played in Lebanon, will decide which countries get the most favourable draw for the World Cup qualifiers for 2019.

“I played in the Sino Challenge (against China) in 2013 but those were exhibition games,” the 27 year old said.

“It’s always an honour to play for your country, but the Asia Cup carries some real weight to it, because they will help decide which countries make the World Cup. It’s going to be tough, but we’re going in there trying to win it”.

The selection process to make the Boomers team was rigorous.

“It was initially an extended squad, before that was cut down to 20, and then 12, which is the final team,” Brandt said.

The selection is a reward for Brandt’s persistence, as he narrowly missed the cut for past Boomer teams in recent years.

“I always had a little chip on my shoulder and tried to work really hard, as growing up I didn’t always get selected in rep teams,” he said.

The Boomers fly to Beirut on August 2 for a few practices and a lead-in game before their first official game against Japan on August 8.

“I’ve never been to Lebanon, so it should be interesting,” Brandt said.

Readers can watch Brandt’s games in Lebanon via Foxtel.

Brandt is coming off a strong season for the Perth Wildcats, as he was instrumental in helping the team win the NBL championship last season.

Brandt has been signed for two more seasons with the Wildcats.

“Perth is great, it’s a beautiful part of the world and I live near the beach, and I love my teammates,” he said.

“In the off-season I try to come back to the Mountains because my parents still live up in Lawson, and I sometimes get some shots up at Katoomba or Penrith during that downtime.”