Brian Goorjian responds to FIBA World Cup result: 'I am not embarrassed' / News - Basketnews.com

Coach Brian Goorjian stands proud as Australian Boomers regroup for Olympic medal pursuit: "I am returning to Melbourne with my head high. I feel that this is a continuation of rose gold."

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Australian Boomers wrapped up their journey in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup during the Second Round, falling short of reaching the quarterfinals.

Player of the Game EFF 17 Dante Exum Points 18 Accuracy 6-12 Rebounds 1 Assists 4

While some voices in Australia might view this as a disappointment, the national team's head coach, Brian Goorjian, holds a different perspective.

Goorjian addressed the media following their final victory over Georgia in Group K, offering a thoughtful reflection on the importance of maintaining pride, understanding the nuances of international basketball, and the process of building a winning team.

"I respect everyone's opinion, but what I said to the group inside: 'I am not embarrassed.' I am going back to Melbourne with my head high. I feel that this is a continuation of rose gold. I knew when I re-signed to come back to this that I would have to do some nasty stuff here and that we would be in a position of change.

When this group came in, I do believe we had a chance of winning a medal. That's going to be a goal [moving forward]. But I also knew that with change, experience, style of play, and playing together, it's a process that is going to take time.

When you look at the lineup tonight, we had three [new] guys that started. It's not just five new guys, but major pieces, guys with the ball in their hands. To say, 'The offense isn't fluid, or you're missing some rotations on the defensive end,' that comes with playing together. You are allowed your opinion, and I respect it, but how I feel and how the group feels -- there is an exciting day ahead.

When I started with the Boomers, they didn't qualify for the Worlds. I brought Joe [Ingles], Patty [Millls], and [Andrew] Bogut in, and it took 8-10 years before it eventually became [a winning team].

Australia / Schedule

Australia Japan109-89 Slovenia Australia91-80 Australia Georgia100-84

We are starting over, and we are building something exciting and nice. A huge bright side for our next Olympic campaign in 10 months. So there is a lot of good in this, there is some frustration. As Joe [Ingles] said, we wanted to move on, and we had a chance against Germany. We missed some free throws and our last possession... You win that, and you are moving on, but we were right there. We also had a chance against Slovenia.

Again, I do have a lot to say because I know what is going on back home. I am in a trench. I am there on a day-to-day how I feel.

Last point is: when you say 9 NBA players [on the roster], there is a process of playing international basketball. And I will use Trevor Gleeson as an example. A fellow coach, critical of the game situation, which is very, very important: Luka [Doncic] with four fouls, not questioning Patty's foul, which was questionable. It was questionable, and it could have been overturned. You can't do that in this tournament. This is not the NBA. There is no play there.

Like I am saying, there is a process for everybody when you are dealing with international basketball. But I am fired up for the next challenge."

Australia has clinched its spot in next year's Paris Olympics after becoming the best Oceania region team in the FIBA World Cup.

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