Williams named as part of Boomers coaching group

Adelaide 36ers Assistant Coach Kerry Williams has been named as part of the coaching line-up for the national team’s World Cup qualifiers during this month’s FIBA break.

Williams first served as an assistant coach of the Boomers in 2021, and he will join a coaching group for this campaign that includes Associate Head Coach Dean Vickerman and fellow assistant coaches Luke Brennan (SEM Phoenix) and John Rillie (Perth).

Brennan was recently involved in the nation’s FIBA Asia Cup qualification run in February but Rillie has not been involved with the Boomers for nearly five years.

Rillie previously served on the Boomers’ coaching staff between 1997 and 2004 and returns after a second stint as part of the group that won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

In July, the Boomers outlined a coach by committee approach during World Cup qualification with Melbourne United coach Vickerman assuming the responsibilities of Adam Caporn in windows that clash with Washington Wizards activity.

The Boomers start their World Cup qualification campaign with a double-header against the Tall Blacks, starting on 28 November in Hobart before travelling to Wellington on 1 December.

“There’s an incredible level of experience and expertise in this group and we’re committed to the process of bringing in complimentary coaching staff,” said Jason Smith, Executive General Manager of Basketball Australia.

“We have an immense amount of respect for the Tall Blacks, so it’s imperative that we have high quality coaches, not only for the performance component but to continually meet the standards we want the group to uphold as Boomers.”

Williams joined the 36ers in the off-season after a long association with the Cairns Taipans as a player across 105 games and as an assistant coach for the previous four seasons.