Houston Rockets center Jock Landale has yet to make his debut for his new team yet after signing a four-year, $32 million contract this summer, but Clutch City will get to see him in action at the FIBA World Cup later this month.
Landale, 27, is one of the 15 players listed for Australia's roster for the World Cup, which also features fellow NBA'ers Xavier Cooks (Washington Wizards), Dyson Daniels (New Orleans Pelicans), Dante Exum (Dallas Mavericks), Josh Giddey (Oklahoma City Thunder), Josh Green (Dallas Mavericks), Joe Ingles (Orlando Magic), Patty Mills (Atlanta Hawks), Matisse Thybulle (Portland Trail Blazers) and Jack White (Oklahoma City Thunder).
The "Boomers" are playing in Group F, where they will play Finland (Aug. 25), Germany (Aug. 27), and Japan (Aug. 29), and Australia is expected to be one of the favorites to qualify for the next round out of the group stage. However, Finland (featuring All-Star Lauri Markkanen) and Germany (featuring former Rockets Dennis Schroder and Daniel Theis) are expected to be challenges for Australia.
Luckily for the Aussies, they come into the tournament with experience. Australia finished with a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics two summers ago, and are returning a good chunk of the group that reached the podium.
Australia's first FIBA World Cup match comes next Friday against Finland. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 a.m.
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