Gaze's 'surprise' at Boomers coach rumours

• Adam Caporn is rumoured to be Brian Goorjian's replacement as Boomers coach
• The former Wollongong Hawks and Perth Wildcats player has been a Boomers assistant since the 2019 FIBA World Cup
• If confirmed, Caporn beat four other candidates on the shortlist, including Atlanta Hawks coach Quinn Snyder

Longtime Australian Boomers and current Washington Wizards assistant coach Adam Caporn has been tipped to be the next coach of the national team, Andy Maher reported on SEN's The Run Home with Andy and Gazey.

If confirmed, the appointment means Caporn beat names such as fellow 2023 FIBA World Cup winning coach with Germany, Gordon Herbert, Atlanta Hawks head coach Quinn Snyder, Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman and former Sydney Kings mentor Will Weaver to be Brian Goorjian's replacement as the national program heads in a new direction ahead of the 2026 FIBA World Cup and 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

"I am being led to believe that (the Boomers coaching search) is done and dusted and a decision has been arrived at," Maher said.

"A man by the name of Adam Caporn will be the next coach of the Boomers."

Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze responded, saying he spoke to Basketball Australia CEO Matt Scriven during the Boomers' game against Indonesia at Traralgon on Thursday night, who said an announcement was expected in the coming weeks.

"That to me would suggest they've made the decision," he said.

Caporn, who was previously an assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets and G League head coach with the Long Island Nets, has been on the sidelines with the Boomers since the 2019 FIBA World Cup under Andrej Lemanis. He spent 2014-2021 as the head coach of the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence.

"If it's Adam Caporn, that would surprise me on the basis of who the other candidates were. Gordon Herbert, a Canadian, coached Germany to the gold medal (at the World Cup), then you've got Quinn Snyder, who is the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks, you've got Dean Vickerman, who clinks because he's won titles with Melbourne United and the New Zealand Breakers and then you've got Will Weaver, who's been an assistant coach before.

"Now Adam Caporn is a fantastic candidate because he's been with Brian Goorjian the last few years and I think he was there with Andrej Lemanis as well, so he's been around the team a long time. He coached as an assistant with the Brooklyn Nets, I'm pretty sure he was their G League head (coach), so there's some head coaching experience but I don't think it's extensive.

"He's very, very capable. I was in the selection committee a long time ago when we appointed Brett Brown, I can appreciate how others have opinions... but just from the outside looking in."

Caporn was also a talented player, having a successful college career with St Mary's before stints in the NBL with the Wollongong Hawks and Perth Wildcats before he returned to California as an assistant coach for his Alma Mater.

The Boomers take on Thailand at the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium in Traralgon tomorrow.