- Boomers beat China in pre-Olympic friendly
- Jack McVeigh starred for the Australian team
- Duop Reath appeared to headbutt rival player
Jack McVeigh has given his Olympic selection hopes a huge boost with an outstanding performance in the Boomers’ 107-87 friendly win over China.
As some of Australia’s biggest names took it easy, McVeigh fired on all cylinders in Tuesday night’s tune-up fixture in Melbourne.
The 203cm forward exploded in the second and third quarters, landing six-of-eight three-point attempts to finish with a team-high 24 points.
Duop Reath (21 points, six rebounds), Xavier Cooks (10 points, seven rebounds, six assists) and Chris Goulding (14 points) also reached double figures.
Goulding landed four-of-seven three-point attempts in a strong second-half showing off the bench, playing his role superbly.
Tempers flared in the fourth quarter with Reath involved in an ugly incident with Runwang Du, losing his cool in a confrontation and appearing to headbutt his opponent.
Du dropped theatrically to the floor, while Reath was handed an unsportsmanlike foul.
‘I love watching him play. He brings some energy,’ McVeigh said of Reath.
‘He’s a passionate dude and it’s fun being on the court with him.’
NBL star Jack McVeigh (pictured) was the stand-out player for the Boomers
Patty Mills and fellow NBA star Josh Giddey (pictured) were both in the starting five
McVeigh was the headline act on his return to John Cain Arena, where he dominated the NBL Championship Series to lead Tasmania to their maiden title in March, as he chases a ticket for what would be a first Olympic appearance.
‘I feel like that’s what I do; I back myself in,’ McVeigh said of his eye-catching display.
‘It’s up to the coaches still at this point but I’m just trying to affect winning and help the Boomers win a medal.
‘Right now, I’m not high though. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
‘I’m going to show up to training tomorrow and get after it, then we’ve got another game on Thursday.
‘If I make the team I’ll be locked in and ready to go to Paris.
‘I just love playing basketball and I’m grateful I get to do it here.’
Boomers captain Patty Mills and fellow NBA star Josh Giddey were both in the starting five against China in front of 8142 fans, but played less than 10 minutes each and sat out the entire second half.
China and the Boomers will meet again for a friendly on Thursday night
Josh Green and Dante Exum did not feature after playing for the Dallas Mavericks in last month’s NBA Finals, and Jock Landale was also absent.
China got the early jump as Sanning Lioa scored their first seven points and the visitors led 32-25 at quarter-time on the back of five-of-seven shooting from deep.
But McVeigh dropped 10 points in the second period and tallied 13 for the first half, helping the home side to a 51-48 lead at the main break.
Goulding injected himself into the game with a trio of three-pointers in a dominant third period for the Boomers, who surged to an 81-64 lead with one quarter to play.
The Boomers had 13 of 14 players on the scoresheet – Mills was the only absentee – and eight landed shots from long-range.
Liao was China’s best performer with a game-high 26 points on 11-of-16 shooting.
The teams meet again in Melbourne on Thursday night.
Earlier at John Cain Arena, the Rollers beat Japan 59-52 in the men’s wheelchair contest, while Australia’s men’s and women’s 3×3 teams had wins over China.
The Gliders were beaten by Japan 45-38 in their women’s wheelchair match-up.
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