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Boomers: Baynes blow and Giddey goes at #6


TRIPLE-Olympian Aron Baynes has been ruled out of the rest of the Tokyo Games after suffering a neck injury, while Adelaide 36ers PG Josh Giddey today was selected at pick #6 in the NBA draft by Oklahoma City Thunder.

Giddey, 18, is the second 36ers player drafted by OKC, following in the footsteps of Terrance Ferguson after the 2016-17 NBL season.

Baynes suffered the injury in the 86-83 win over Italy and it was sufficiently serious to require his hospitalisation.

“Aron is a big part of our team and we are all hurting for him, but we have great depth in our squad and I have every confidence the 11 remaining players. We will all stay focused on the task ahead,” Boomers coach Brian Goorjian said.

“Unfortunately, injuries can happen but this team is resilient and we will adapt”.

Fortunately, Baynes' frontcourt running mates Jock Landale and Nick Kay were particularly good against Italy and international rookie Duop Reath showed in the warmup exhibition matches he was ready to seize his opportunities.

It still is a huge blow, Baynes a part of the Boomers "strong quartet" with Patty Mills, Joe Ingles and Matthew Dellavedova who have been together since the London Olympic Games and are the driving forces of Australia's medal quest.

Giddey, 200cm, is the son of Melbourne Tigers NBL championship-winner, defensive specialist and all-around facilitator Warrick. His mother Kim (McRae) played state league in Adelaide for Sturt and WNBL for Melbourne Tigers from 1989-92 and was a superlative shooter.

As part of the NBL's Next Stars program, he played for the Adelaide 36ers, averaging 10.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and a league-leading 7.6 assists and producing three triple-doubles, the youngest player ever to do so.

Jul 30

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