Josh Giddey, Australia Take 'Momentum' Into Round Two of World Cup

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey and the Australia Boomers are taking momentum into the second stage of the FIBA World Cup.

Among all of the storylines available to Oklahoma City Thunder fans in the FIBA World Cup, Josh Giddey's development has to be one of the most entertaining. 

Representing Australia, Giddey and the Boomers went 2-1 in their group stage play, which was enough for the team to advance to the next stage of the World Cup. What makes the Boomers advancing special is the fact that they're playing through the Thunder guard.

The idea of Australia playing through Giddey was established ahead of any national play, including the team's exhibition games. The Boomers head coach, Brian Goorjian stated that "a lot of it’s gotta be built around him."

This has seemingly paid off in the sense that Australia is among the best few teams in the World Cup and Giddey has shown plenty of improvement. Just recently, Australia took on Japan where Giddey accounted for 26 points, five rebounds and 11 assists on 10-of-18 shooting.

For Giddey to produce that level of play while shooting efficiently shows that he's been progressing throughout the tournament. Now, as the team plays through him, the team will be carrying momentum into round two of the tournament.

"The team is in great spirits obviously, not the way we wanted to go with 2 and 1 in the group stage but I think the way we bounced back today gave us momentum to move into the next stage," Giddey said after the victory.

Australia is littered with NBA talents, and Giddey leading the charge, commanding a talented group of players goes to show how mature the 20-year-old guard really is. That's going to continue translating to the young Thunder team that's looking to make yet another statement.

The five Thunder players participating in the World Cup advanced to the second stage of the tournament and will compete in the Round of 16. 

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