SYDNEY Kings guard Jason Cadee hasn’t donned the green and gold since 2013, but you wouldn’t have known based on his classy performance against Japan in Australia’s Asia Cup opener.
Inspired by Cadee’s 13 points and five rebounds, Australia kickstarted their campaign in style with an impressive 84-68 win in Beirut.
The final score looked convincing, but the Boomers had to work hard for their first Cup victory.
Japan started on fire, landing three of their four three-pointers to take a one-point lead into quarter-time.
Boomers guard Jason Cadee starred in the win over Japan. Picture: Basketball AustraliaSource:Supplied
Despite the deficit, the Boomers rallied to take a comfortable 11-point lead into halftime.
Japan reduced Australia’s lead to single digits in the third, before the Boomers exploded on the back of Cadee and Mitch Creek.
The Adelaide small forward finished with 10 points, six boards and three assists to help steer the contest in Australia’s favour.
Cadee also nailed a crucial three-pointer in the third quarter to cap off an impressive individual display for the Sydney guard.
“It was a good first win by the fellas,” Cadee told The Daily Telegraph.
“We got off to a scrappy start with Japan also hitting some tough shots, but we turned it up in the second quarter defensively.
Australia’s Creek Mitch scores during the emphatic victory over Japan in the Asia Cup. Picture: AFPSource:AFP
“That’s when offence flowed and took control of the game from there.
“Everyone chipped in and overall it was a good start to the tournament.
“Now we have a rest day before another one Thursday.”
Kings swingman Brad Newley finished with four points, but will get better as the tournament progresses.
More significantly, Newley will use the Asia Cup campaign in Lebanon as an invaluable chance to push his claims for a spot at the 2019 World Cup and 2020 Olympics after missing out on the Games in Rio last year.
The Boomers are fielding a team of NBL players in Beirut, with stars like Patty Mills and Andrew Bogut unavailable as they prepare for the upcoming NBA season.
Jason Cadee tries to defend Japan’s Togashi Yuki in Beirut. Picture: AFPSource:AFP
“We are missing some big-time guys, but things and can happen and spots can open up, so we’ve got to be ready at all times,” said Newley, who made his senior Boomers debut at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
“We had some meetings and we are aware of the situation with the team.
“It’s pretty big for me. I’ve been lucky to represent Australia pretty much my whole career.
“Even now I’m a little bit older, I still feel the same way going to selection. I’m pretty excited. We had a good camp and everyone is ready to go.”
Australia will continue their Asia Cup campaign on Thursday when they take on Hong Kong at 11pm (AEST).
The Boomers are favourites to win the tournament, but they can’t afford to be complacent, according to Sydney small forward Todd Blanchfield.
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“We can’t be too over confident,” Blanchfield said. “Anyone can beat anyone on any given day. We can’t get too far ahead of ourselves. We are going to play hard.”
The Boomers remaining schedule for the FIBA Asia Cup (all times AEST):
August 8: Australia v Japan WIN 84-68
August 10: Australia v Hong Kong at 11pm
August 12: Australia v Chinese Taipei at 11pm
August 17: Quarter-Finals
August 19: Semi-Finals
August 20: Bronze and Gold medal games
Originally published as Recalled Cadee stars for Boomers
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