Vasiljevic takes pride representing Boomers in Adelaide

DJ Vasiljevic is used to leading his side out onto the court at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, but it will feel extra special on Wednesday night when he runs out to represent Australia.

Adelaide 36ers captain Vasiljevic is part of the Boomers side that will take on rivals New Zealand in a three-game series, starting on his home court.

One of the more experienced campaigners in the line-up, Vasiljevic views the Trans-Tasman Throwdown as an opportunity to help his less experienced teammates understand the honour of representing Australia.

“It’s always an honour to play the game you love when you get to represent your country,” Vasiljevic said.

“Obviously the front of the jersey you’re representing all of Australia and then you have your last name on the back.

“I'm only 28, which is pretty young, but I've been around kind of the likes of Joe Ingles and Patty (Mills), then you bring the likes of Nick Kay, and now you're rolling into being one of the leaders.

“I think we’ve got three or four debutants so it's pretty sick and obviously I just want to pass on my experience, my knowledge and what it means to represent Australia.”

Vasiljevic has previously worn the green and gold in World Cup qualifiers in 2021 and Asia Cup qualifiers in 2024 with plenty on the line.

While pride is the only prize in the current series, the 36ers guard said the rivalry between Australia and New Zealand is real.

“100% it’s going to be feisty,” he said. “I mean when it’s your rival, it doesn't matter if you're playing for nothing or for something, you just want to beat them like there's no ifs or buts. Go out there kick their arse, move forward really.

“This (series) hasn't been done in the past 10 years, so we had some videos from Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova and Chris Goulding just explaining how much this rivalry really means and we just want to continue it and keep rolling in a positive direction.”

And after seeing the Adelaide crowds coming out to support the 36ers with 21-straight sell outs at the Entertainment Centre, Vasiljevic is hoping Wednesday night’s game will be the first of many for the Boomers in the city.

“We've been putting bums on seats, and we've been entertaining, and I think Adelaide people are basketball fanatics, and they deserve something like this.

“I hope this is just the start of what can be maybe a yearly or every two years we can play a game in Adelaide, not just the Boomers but also the Opals as well.”

Game one in the Trans-Tasman Throwdown between the Boomers and the Tall Blacks gets underway from 7:45pm ACST.

The Seven Consulting Opals will face off against the 2degrees Tall Ferns at the same venue from 5:30pm ACST.

Both games will be broadcast live on 9Go! Or 9Now.