Vickerman to Coach Boomers in World Cup Qualifiers

Thursday, February 9, 2023

Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman will lead the Australian Boomers for their pair of upcoming FIBA World Cup qualifying games.

Vickerman will coach Australia, who will feature Tokyo bronze medallists Nathan Sobey and Nick Kay, against Bahrain and Kazakhstan at the State Basketball Centre in Melbourne on Thursday February 23 and Sunday February 26.

With a decorated coaching career spanning more than two decades across three countries, Vickerman has won three NBL championships as head coach (2015, 2018, 2021), four championships as an assistant coach (2006, 2011, 2012, 2013) and has twice been awarded the Lindsay Gaze Trophy for NBL Coach of The Year.

This will mark the first time that Vickerman has coached the Boomers and he can’t wait for his chance to coach the national team.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Melbourne United Head Coach <a href="https://twitter.com/DeanVickerman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DeanVickerman</a> is set to lead the Australian Boomers for their pair of upcoming home games in Melbourne.<br>This will mark the first time that Vickerman, who has been a part of 7 <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBL</a> championships, will helm the national team.<br>Full story ??</p>— Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelbUnited/status/1623183994455228416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“I’m really honoured to be at the helm of the Boomers for this window,” Vickerman said via Basketball Australia.

“Unfortunately, due to club commitments I haven’t been available to coach the national team, so this is the first time I’m suiting up and I’m excited.”

Boomers Head Coach Brian Goorjian spoke highly of Vickerman.

“I welcome Dean’s appointment as Boomers Head Coach for the February window,” Goorjian said.

“Dean is not only one of the most respected coaches in the country. He is a fantastic person and it’s great that he is available to take the reins in our final qualifying window before we head towards the World Cup later this year.”

Following his commitments for the Perth Wildcats in the NBL Finals, Mike Kelly will also join Vickerman in the coaching ranks, as well as Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence head coach, Robbie McKinlay, and Jamie Pearlman of the Adelaide 36ers.

The Boomers are currently undefeated in their lead up to the upcoming FIBA World Cup, having won their past nine games.