BASKETBALL
FIBA
BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
TRARALGON’S Jack White makes his first appearance for Australia in 2026 tomorrow (Thursday, February 26) with the Boomers’ tour of Guam and the Philippines.
A part of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, Australia take on both countries as part of a two-leg series that extends to July to officially qualify for the World Cup.
During these two games, White features as one of the Boomers’ senior players alongside former Olympic bronze medallist Nick Kay, as Australia welcome three debutants.
It also sees the return of Mitch Creek to the national side for the first time since 2019, who has previously ventured down to the Latrobe Valley during his time with NBL team South East Melbourne Phoenix.
The former NBA call-up has been playing for Romanian basketball club U-BT Cluj-Napoca for the past two seasons.
The Boomers are currently undefeated for two straight wins during the Asian Qualifiers, having beaten New Zealand in a doubleheader at the backend of last year.
Both games came down to the wire, with five-point and two-point victories, in which White was crucial in each win.
During those games, Melbourne United coach and Warragul’s Dean Vickerman served as interim head coach as Boomers coach Adam Caporn completed duties with NBA franchise Washington Wizards.
Recently, Vickerman was unavailable for United’s Round 21 contest against Cairns Taipans, thrusting Sale’s Rhys Carter into the lead chair.
The Traralgon star was a part of Australia’s FIBA Asia Cup gold medal-winning side back in August, 2025, which secured White his first senior medal with the Boomers.
Australia face Guam on February 26 at Mangilao Village and the Philippines on Sunday, March 1 at Manila, before they play each country again on July 3 and July 6, presumably in Australia.
