Xavier Cooks gets Boomers call-up after suspension

• Xavier Cooks named in the 12-man Australian Boomers squad
• Melbourne United and Boomers veteran Chris Goulding not named
• Australian men's basketball team plays New Zealand in a three-game series in May, 2025

Sydney Kings wing Xavier Cooks will play for the Australian Boomers against New Zealand in the three-game Trans-Tasman Throwdown between May 7 and 11, 2025 after serving a one-month Sport Integrity Australia suspension .

The 29-year-old's NBL25 ended in turmoil when he was handed a "mandatory provisional suspension, effective immediately" in mid February, just days before the Kings were set to face the Adelaide 36ers in a knock-out final at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. The Kings lost 95-88 and were eliminated.

"I made one of the biggest mistakes of my life," Cooks said.

"It was a lapse in judgment that has affected a lot of people I care deeply about."

Regardless, the former NBL MVP and champion is still one of the best wings in Australia without Aussies in the NBA players available. There are no NBA players in the 12-man squad facing the Tall Blacks on May 7 in Adelaide, May 9 on the Sunshine Coast and May 11 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

Melbourne United's Chris Goulding, who led Boomers into the 2025 Asia Cup with several three-point shooting performances for the ages, is unavailable for selection due to playing in Puerto Rico.

Guard Owen Foxwell has been rewarded for a breakout season with South East Melbourne Phoenix while 400-game NBL veteran Todd Blanchfield, a natural replacement, for Goulding along with Dejan Vasiljevic have earned call-ups. Blanchfield won his first championship with the Illawarra Hawks in NBL25.

Australian Boomers

• Todd Blanchfield
• Keli Leaupepe
• Kyle Bowen
• Mitchell Norton
• Xavier Cooks
• Elijah Pepper
• Owen Foxwell
• Austin Rapp
• Jacob Furphy
• Dejan Vasiljevic
• Angus Glover
• Harry Wessels

AUS v NZL Trans-Tasman Throwdown

1. Adelaide — Wednesday 7 May — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
2. Sunshine Coast — Friday 9 May — UniSC Arena, Sunshine Coast
3. Hamilton — Sunday 11 May — GLOBOX Arena, Hamilton, New Zealand