Marshall's thrill after Boomers debut

Nick Marshall said his international debut was more than he expected in Melbourne on Thursday night.

The 198cm swingman played the final three minutes of the Boomers’ 83-51 success against Bahrain at the State Basketball Centre.

Marshall was patiently waiting at the scorers table at the concluding stages of the second quarter, after Australia had piled on a 23-0 run, to check into the game for his first FIBA minutes.

But the game didn’t pause for over three minutes and the 36ers guard/forward walked into half time still without hitting the court.

“I was hoping to get in but the game didn’t stop,” Marshall said on Friday.

“I was waiting there for ages, but it didn’t happen.”

As Bahrain fought back into the contest in the third quarter, Marshall thought his chance to get any court time had all but diminished.

“They made a run and we couldn’t get a shot to drop, but I was staying ready,” Marshall said.

With three minutes left and the Boomers’ lead close to 30 points, Marshall stepped on the floor for the first time and he said the experience was unreal.

“Everything was what I thought it would be and more,” Marshall said.

He got a shot attempt up and there were a few opportunities where Marshall was ready to score.

“There were a few times there late in the game where I was open,” Marshall said.

“I had to get a shot up so when I got that opportunity late, it was going to go up.”

Marshall will get another opportunity to wear the green and gold on Sunday when the Boomers battle Kazakhstan on Sunday in Melbourne.

“We will want to continue that play on Sunday and I want to keep doing what I’m doing,” he said.