DELLY ON DEBUT: Dell’Orso joins Pepper and Rillie with Boomers

Anthony Dell’Orso is set to make his Australian Boomers debut alongside Perth Wildcats teammate Elijah Pepper, with Wildcats head coach John Rillie serving as a Boomers assistant coach for two crucial FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers in Manila.

Pepper and Dell’Orso have been named in Australia’s Final 12 to face Group E opponents Syria and Jordan in a Manila double-header played at Mall of Asia Arena later this month.

Dell’Orso’s selection in the Boomers squad marks a major milestone following his arrival at the Wildcats, with the 23-year-old now in line to make his international debut in the green and gold.

Elijah Pepper will look to build on his outstanding form from the previous qualification window after a standout NZNBL season in which he was named league MVP.

John Rillie continues his tenure with the Boomers as part of a coaching staff featuring strong Wildcats ties, working alongside former Perth assistants Jacob Chance and Gerard Martin, with Chance leading the national team for the World Cup qualifiers in Manila.

The games against Syria and Jordan will open Phase Two of Australia’s qualification campaign for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar.

Australia faces Syria on Friday 28 August before meeting Jordan on Sunday 30 August, with both games tipping off at 5:00pm WST.

The games will be broadcast live on ESPN and affiliated streaming partners.

ESPN is the official broadcast partner of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 in Australia and New Zealand.

Australian Boomers Final 12

Josh Bannan
Anthony Dell’Orso
Dash Daniels
Sam Froling
Angus Glover
Jacob Holt
Nicholas Kay
Tanner Krebs
Max Mackinnon
Elijah Pepper
Luke Travers
Tom Wilson