Josh Giddey and Andrew Bogut lash out as Australia's basketball uniform for Olympics ridiculed

Australia's Olympic basketball uniform has come under fire after images of the design were uploaded to social media on Wednesday. The outfit, once again designed by Asics, is predominantly yellow with green trim around the neck and arms.

The relatively basic design also has Indigenous patterns designed by Paul Fleming on the side and has a Southern Cross and the word Australia printed on the front. In recent weeks Asics has released numerous promotional videos showcasing what Australian athletes will wear at the upcoming Games.

But the basketball kit in particular has gone down like a lead ball. Aussie basketball agent Daniel Moldovan - who manages Boomers stars Josh Giddey, Dyson Daniels and Xavier Cooks - shared pictures of the uniform to social media and didn't hold back in his assessment of the design.

"Let’s just call a spade a spade. This is a f***ing DISGRACE," he wrote. "Yet another embarrassment for a team full of NBA players at the peak of their sport. Our guys are going to be dressed like marathon runners."

"If the old adage of 'Look good feel good' has a modicum of truth to it, then our guys are going to be feeling like trash. We are an international laughing stock. Whoever green-lit these marathon runner uniforms for the Boomers should have their citizenship revoked. What the f*** is this abomination?."

Australian basketball great Andrew Bogut, Oklahoma City Thunder star Josh Giddey and Houston Rockets' Jock Landale all took swipes at the jersey. Giddey wrote: “Lol absolute joke", while Landale added: "Looks like we are off to throw a javelin".

Former Boomer Bogut commented on the design saying: "AOC had Stevie Wonder do the uniforms". And Queensland Basketball League player Matthew Adekponya said: "Boys about to compete in the decathlon".

Basketball fans also heaped on the sports brand for its design. NBA Australia’s Benyam Kidane wrote: “Nah this disrespectful. Boomers gonna bring home the gold in the decathlon.”

While the Athletic’s Sam Vecenie said: "Pumped to see the Australian basketball team compete in the high jump at the Olympics. Probably not the optimal use of their skill and I think I’d take Anthony Edwards over any of them, but will be fun to see them don these track-and-field-ass uniforms for the right purpose."

Boomers bullish about Paris medal chances

Boomers coach Brian Goorjian is optimistic about Australia's chances at the upcoming Games, confident they not only can finish in a medal place but can go all the way and bring home the gold. Patty Mills, Josh Giddey and Josh Green are among several NBA stars in the current squad but with cuts still to be made to the squad, Goorjian insists individual profile alone will not be enough for a ticket to the Games.

Five players will get the chop ahead of final dress rehearsals against the USA (July 15) and Serbia (July 16) in the United Arab Emirates but the Boomers coach is confident whatever final squad he lands on can make history. "It's not about (being) a superstar. We know that we have to do it collectively as a team," Goorjian said last week. "It's really about ... putting combinations together and which guys mesh, and figuring out the exact style we want to play.

"We've come a long way from (2023's) World Cup because there was a lot of change - three new starts, seven new players - so we have a better idea of putting them all together. It might be the guy that fits with these four guys, as opposed to the best player. That's the one that keeps you sleepless a little bit at night."

Bringing that 'gold vibe' is the mantra for a Boomers squad determined to better their bronze medal in the Tokyo Games in 2021 - in what was the Australian men's team's first-ever visit to an Olympic podium. "'Gold vibe' is doing everything at a gold-medal level," Goorjian said.

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"A group of them have medalled and they want that next step. It's going to be competitive. They've been at the top of the mountain, or close to the top of the mountain, before and they're driven to do it again." The Boomers will kick off their Paris Olympics campaign on July 27.

with AAP