It wouldn't be a Boomers major tournament cycle without some uniform controversy, and the Paris Olympics have more than provided it, after images surfaced online of a rumoured Olympic jersey.
The Boomers, like the rest of the Australian Olympic contingent, will be decked out by ASICS, but their interpretation of a basketball jersey has left both current and former Boomers scratching their heads.
Members of the 2024 Boomers squad, as well as a number of fans and commentators have taken to social media, to voice their displeasure with the uniforms, less than two months out from Paris.
Boomers players, fans react to rumoured Olympic jerseys
The Australian Boomers will be pursuing just their second ever medal at the Olympics in Paris, but they are none-too-pleased with the threads they will be rocking while doing so, with two current NBA players criticising the jerseys on Instagram.
The Australian Boomers and Opals are set to roll out these Asics uniforms at the Paris Olympics👀🇦🇺🏀
— The Pick and Roll 🇦🇺🏀 (@PickandRollAU) June 11, 2024
Let us know what you think!#AussieHoops #Paris2024 #Basketball #Asics pic.twitter.com/HskCQC6eMx
Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Josh Giddey commented "lol absolute joke" in reference to the uniforms, while Houston Rockets big man Jock Landale said "Looks like we are off to throw a javelin".
Former Boomers great and NBA champion Andrew Bogut also chimed in, joking that the AOC "had Stevie Wonder do the uniforms."
Some Boomers past and present chime in on the Australian Olympic Team basketball uniform designs by @ASICSaustralia 😮#AussieHoops #EllezAUS #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/8OgvG2pd7l
— The Pick and Roll 🇦🇺🏀 (@PickandRollAU) June 12, 2024
The photos of the jersey were posted by website The Pick and Roll, with the 'Replica Basketball Singlet' currently available for purchase on ASICS' website.
Australian basketball fans were also not pleased about the design, labelling it "crappy", "ordinary", and resembled "Bali knock-offs", with NBL player Alan Williams saying they "couldn't be real".
Great to see we’re following in a hallowed Aussie tradition and getting Bali knockoff jerseys for the national team https://t.co/E625iaO1bY
— NBA Straya (@NbaStraya) June 11, 2024
these are the uniforms they have the endurance track athletes wear. steeplechase ass jerseys https://t.co/S5nz9gFw9T
— Robby Kalland (@RKalland) June 12, 2024
Has anyone in ASICS design department been to a basketball game or bothered to research basketball uniforms? https://t.co/0pN9wSHhFF
— Carl Faumui (@buzzliteyear11) June 11, 2024
😂 nah this disrespectful. Boomers gonna bring home the gold in the decathlon https://t.co/MAwqmNEKv0
— Benyam Kidane (@BenyamKidane) June 12, 2024
According to the ASICS website, the design incorporates both Indigenous Australian artwork and Japanese design features, with the jerseys made from recycled fabrics.
"The TEAM AUSTRALIA OLYMPIC REPLICA BASKETBALL SINGLET features the Japanese CJ-line and Japanese Yagasuri print on the main body," reads the site.
"Accompanying 'Walking together" indigenous artwork by PAUL FLEMING along the side panels as well as 'Ngalmun Danalaig (Our Way of Life)' artwork by DAVID BOSUN at centre back."
The Boomers' Paris Olympic campaign will officially begin on July 27, with the team also playing a number of warm up matches against Japan, China, Serbia, and USA in the lead up to the games.
