Hickey returns for Boomers World Cup qualifying campaign

Joseph Guenzler Published October 24, 2025 at 5.15pm (AWST)

sport

Will ‘Davo’ Hickey has been named in the Australian Boomers squad for the upcoming FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. (Image: Liu Lu/VCG/Getty Images)

Gomeroi and Wiradjuri guard Will 'Davo' Hickey has been named in the Australian Boomers squad for the first window of FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers against Aotearoa-New Zealand.

Hickey returns to the national side after his standout performance at the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, where the Boomers went undefeated to claim their third straight title.

He played a key role throughout the tournament, including a 15-point, seven-rebound effort in the championship win over China.

Basketball Australia has confirmed the Boomers' 12-man roster, with much of the Asia Cup core retained and a mix of veteran additions.

The squad features Hickey, Alex Ducas, Owen Foxwell, Josh Bannan, Elijah Pepper, Jack White, Dash Daniels, Will Magnay, Angus Glover, Jordan Hunter, Jaylin Galloway and Nick Kay.

Associate Head Coach Dean Vickerman will lead the team in the upcoming window while Head Coach Adam Caporn manages in-season duties with the Washington Wizards.

Mr Vickerman said selection focused on player fitness and form.

"We've got different dynamics compared to the Asia Cup for these windows as all players will be in-season, so selections will be based on a combination of health as well as form," he said.

"We have a lot of respect for our opponents (Tall Blacks) and we will need to find the right selection mix of prime players and rising stars."

Among the guards, Hickey joins Foxwell and Daniels, while Glover and Pepper reunite in the Boomers' lineup for the first time since the Trans-Tasman Throwdown in May.

Asia Cup MVP Jaylin Galloway headlines the forwards alongside Ducas and Bannan, with White returning from a strong season in Turkey.

At centre, Asia Cup captain Will Magnay will represent Australia in his home state of Tasmania, joined by veteran Nick Kay and SEM Phoenix big Jordan Hunter.

Extended squad members Ben Ayre, Alex Dickeson and Ajak Nyuon will also enter camp ahead of the qualifiers.

The Boomers will face the Tall Blacks on Friday, 28 November at MyState Bank Arena in Hobart followed by a second match on Monday, 1 December at TSB Arena in Wellington.

The Hobart fixture is supported by the Tasmanian Government as part of Australia's FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifier campaign.