JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Over the past two weeks, the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia has played host to the top basketball talent from Asia and Oceania, as the host city of the 31st FIBA Asia Cup. Defending champs Australia came into the tournament as the favorites, with a familiar face to Gaels fans on the roster, senior big man Harry Wessels. When the dust all settled, the Boomers went unbeaten in the tournament, defending their crowns from 2017 and 2022, with Wessels appearing in every contest.

Throughout the tournament, Wessels averaged 6.4 points and 4.3 rebounds in 11.9 minutes per contest. With his imposing 7-1 275 pound frame, Wessels shot 65% from the field in the tournament, and found his way to the foul line nine times, converting on eight of those nine attempts. He got off to a strong start in group play, scoring 16 points and 14 rebounds over the three games, connecting on 6-9 field goal attempts. He played nine minutes in the tournament quarterfinals against the Phillipines, scoring six points and reeling in five rebounds, but truly made his presence felt in the semifinals against Iran. In a dominant 92-48 victory, Wessels played a team-high 21 minutes, scoring 16 points, good for second best on the team on 6-10 shooting from the field and 4-5 shooting from the stripe. Wessels played five minutes in the championship matchup against China, ripping down three boards in the narrow 90-89 victory for the Boomers that secured their third straight gold medal at the event. 

Wessels joins the likes of former Gaels Alex Ducas, Clint Steindl, Daniel Kickert and Matt Hodgson to win a FIBA Asia Cup Gold Medal for the Boomers. Competing at this high level this summer, Wessels looks to be in top shape at the start of the 2025-26 campaign for the Gaels. 

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