Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Bryce Cotton Boomers debut week ended in style as the six-time National Basketball League MVP scored 21 points in Australia’s 92-49 World Cup qualifier win over the Philippines in Perth on Monday night.
The American-born guard, who gained Australian citizenship late in 2025, backed up his 18-point display against Guam and helped the Boomers finish this phase of qualifying with a perfect 6-0 record.
Cotton’s arrival adds another layer to Australian basketball’s growing depth, after Giannis Antetokounmpo changed jersey number to 7 in a Miami Heat blockbuster move.
Cotton Starts Fast In Perth
Cotton made an instant mark against the 36th-ranked Philippines, hitting his first three triples and scoring 13 points in only five first-quarter minutes.
That burst helped world No.6 Australia lead 33-14 at quarter-time, and the Boomers were never seriously threatened from there.
“I think it's just cool considering a majority of these guys I've been playing against for years, but you're only in front of them for 40 minutes,” Cotton said.
“So to kind of get to know guys' personalities a little bit more when the curtain's pulled back, that was pretty cool, and I really enjoyed that a lot.
“And because everybody got along pretty easily, I'd say it made my adjustment easier coming into the camp.”
Green And Gold Feeling Grows
Cotton’s long citizenship process delayed his Boomers dream, but he said wearing Australian colours made the moment feel real.
“Anytime you go into the team room or any practice, you just see Australia everything - whether it's shirts or shorts,” Cotton said.
“So it's a reminder that, OK, you really are representing Australia.
“So I guess to a certain extent I feel it (being an Australian) a little bit more over these past 12 days.”
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Tyrese Proctor was the only current NBA player involved in the two Perth games.
Proctor finished with 16 points and four assists against the Philippines after a slow first half.
“He was 0-7 in the first half, stuck with it, got back to playing within the offence a little bit, and had a great second half,” Boomers coach Adam Caporn said.
Official international basketball updates are available through FIBA.
