The Australian Boomers' quest for a FIBA Asia Cup 3-peat got off to a strong start Wednesday night as they cruised to a 97-61 win over South Korea at King Abdullah Sports City.
Newly signed Cairns Taipans wing Jack McVeigh led the charge with 20 points on a scorching 5-of-7 from beyond the arc, while Jaylin Galloway added 12 points. Will Hickey chipped in with 11 points and Xavier Cooks finished with 10 points and seven rebounds.
McVeigh sparked the Boomers in the second quarter, knocking down four straight triples to turn a 28-24 lead into a 40-29 advantage, helping the Aussies take a 17-point lead into the half.
Jack McTrey 3⃣
— Basketball Australia (@BasketballAus) August 6, 2025
HT | AUS 48 - 31 KOR
📊 https://t.co/IyfFg7jpq6
📺 @ESPNAusNZ#WeAreBasketball | #GoBoomers | #AsiaCup | @FIBAAsiaCup pic.twitter.com/tzoL8h9UZS
From there, the Boomers never looked back, outscoring South Korea 49-30 in the second half to move to the top of Group A.
The win also marked the senior national team debut for Dash Daniels, who became the youngest debutant in the green and gold since Ben Simmons, marking the occasion with his first bucket — a corner three in the fourth quarter.
DASH DANIELS FIRST POINTS IN THE GREEN AND GOLD! 💚 💛
— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) August 6, 2025
Catch the FIBA Asia Cup LIVE on ESPN on #disneyplusau / #disneyplusnz! 📺 pic.twitter.com/munhWeawTn
The Boomers will now turn their focus to their second group stage matchup against Lebanon on Saturday, August 9, at 1:00 a.m. AEST.
Australia vs. South Korea final score
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | FINAL |
| AUS | 25 | 23 | 20 | 29 | 97 |
| KOR | 17 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 61 |
Australia vs. South Korea: Boomers box score
| PLAYER | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG | 3P | FT |
| Harry Wessels | 13:33 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1-4 | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Reyne Smith | 19:35 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3-7 | 1-4 | 0-0 |
| Dash Daniels | 8:36 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1-3 | 1-2 | 0-0 |
| Will Hickey | 18:48 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4-6 | 2-2 | 1-2 |
| Owen Foxwell* | 23:34 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4-8 | 1-3 | 0-0 |
| Jaylin Galloway* | 17:39 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4-10 | 4-5 | 0-0 |
| Xavier Cooks* | 16:24 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5-8 | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Josh Bannan | 8:31 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2-2 | 0-0 | 1-2 |
| Jack White | 18:48 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 2-2 |
| Jack McVeigh* | 22:56 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6-11 | 5-7 | 3-3 |
| Ben Henshall | 11:23 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4-8 | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| Will Magnay* | 20:13 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1-2 | 0-0 | 3-4 |
| TOTAL | 200 | 97 | 49 | 12 | 7 | 2 | 36-71 | 15-26 | 10-14 |
*Starting lineup
Australian Boomers FIBA Men's Asia Cup full schedule: Dates, times for games
The FIBA Men's Asia Cup will begin on Tuesday, August 5, and conclude with the championship game on Sunday, August 17.
The Boomers have been drawn in Group A alongside South Korea, Lebanon, and Qatar.
*All times AEST.
| Game | Date | Time/Result | Location |
| Australia vs. South Korea | Wednesday 6 August | AUS 97 def. KOR 61 | King Abdullah Sports City, Saudi Arabia |
| Australia vs. Lebanon | Saturday, August 9 | 1:00 a.m. | King Abdullah Sports City, Saudi Arabia |
| Australia vs. Qatar | Sunday, August 10 | 6:00 p.m. | King Abdullah Sports City, Saudi Arabia |