The Rollers men’s wheelchair basketball team will seek to become Australia’s first world championship-winning team in the flagship Paralympic sport in more than a decade, after they prevailed in a gripping overtime semi-final classic, 84-83, against Germany in Ottawa.
With the two sides locked at 75-75 at the end of regulation time, Australia found just enough in the extra period to book their place in the decider, which will be against Italy, who defeated Great Britain 63-59 in the other semi-final.
Jaylen Brown was once again the standout performer for Australia, delivering a monster all-around performance with 37 points, nine rebounds and eight assists on 15-of-32 shooting, continuing the extraordinary form that has defined his tournament.
Tom O’Neill-Thorne was influential running the offence, finishing with 19 points and a team-high nine assists, while also contributing six rebounds. Bill Latham was efficient off an early start, scoring 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting to round out a strong trio of contributors.
The lead changed hands throughout a tense contest, with Germany’s biggest lead reaching 16 points earlier in the game before Australia clawed their way back into contention. Australia’s discipline down the stretch proved crucial, with the Rollers converting 7-of-11 from the free-throw line compared to Germany’s 15-of-22, in a game where fouls played a significant factor, with Germany committing 21 personal fouls to Australia’s 22.
The Rollers now have the chance to win Australia’s first wheelchair basketball World Championship since 2014. They won also in 2010 and won Paralympic gold in 2008 and 1996.
The World Championship final, to be played at 6.45am AEST on Sunday, can be viewed on the IWBF YouTube channel – We are Wheelchair Basketball.
Cover image credit: Melodie Gagneaux.
Image credit: Aussie Rollers
Paralympics Australia is only able to continue doing its work driving the Paralympic Movement forward in Australia because of the generous support it receives from Government, Corporate Partners and donors.
The focus continues to be on delivering teams to each Summer and Winter Paralympic Games and supporting Para athletes as they enter and progress through the Para sport system and into their post-sporting careers.
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