JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) – Australia completed a three-peat after surviving a dramatic 90-89 victory over China in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Final on Sunday night at King Abdullah Sports City. Xavier Cooks led the way with a monster effort as the Boomers claimed their third straight FIBA Asia Cup crown.
Cooks was unstoppable all night, pouring in 30 points on an efficient 13-of-17 shooting while also collecting 9 rebounds and constantly breaking down China’s defense with his drives. Jaylin Galloway rose to the occasion in his first FIBA Asia Cup Final, drilling 6 triples on his way to 23 points and 5 rebounds. William Hickey delivered when it mattered most, finishing with 15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks, including clutch plays down the stretch.
For China, Hu Mingxuan carried the offensive load with 26 points and 5 three-pointers, while veteran big man Hu Jinqiu supplied a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double that kept his team in contention until the final seconds.
China struck first with a strong opening frame behind Jinqiu’s inside scoring and Mingxuan’s timely shooting, building a 25-17 lead. That cushion stretched to 36-21 in the second quarter, before Cooks powered a furious Australian fightback capped by Galloway and McVeigh, trimming the deficit to just four at halftime.
"I couldn't speak more highly of Xavier Cooks," Australia coach Adam Caporn said. "He's played a point forward role for us. Xavier stepped up, he doesn't always score a lot, having to do more ball carrying for us. He's played well on both ends. Tonight, the moment called on him to score more, and he did just that."
The third quarter saw momentum swing wildly. Galloway’s fastbreak slam capped a 9-0 surge that briefly put the Boomers ahead, only for China to hit back with big triples from Cheng Shuaipeng and Lei Meng. Galloway’s buzzer-beating corner three left Australia trailing by just three entering the final frame, setting the stage for a tense finish.
The last ten minutes were nothing short of a thriller. Cooks and Galloway combined for clutch baskets, while Mingxuan answered with big shots of his own. Hickey’s backdoor finish, a key putback and Will Magnay’s huge block kept Australia in front by the slimmest of margins. With under a minute left, Hickey’s uncontested putback gave the Boomers the lead for good before Cooks and Zhao Rui traded free-throws. Mingxuan’s potential game-winner at the buzzer bounced off the iron, sealing the 90-89 victory for coach Adam Caporn's side.
"The main thing is I am so proud of the character of our guys. We were down by 15, but we saw our players' toughness, their problem-solving attitude," Caporn added. "We have great people in the program, and in my opinion that's why we won."
For Australia, the win means more than just another trophy. Since debuting in 2017, the Boomers have been untouchable in FIBA Asia Cup play, now boasting an 18-0 record and cementing themselves as the modern powerhouse of Asian basketball. The Boomers showed both depth and resilience, pulling off their toughest win yet to secure back-to-back-to-back golds.
For China, the defeat was heartbreaking but also a statement of resurgence. Returning to the FIBA Asia Cup Final for the first time since 2015, coach Guo Shiqiang’s team proved capable of going toe-to-toe with the defending champions, riding a balanced mix of veterans and emerging stars. Their 5-1 campaign restores belief that Chinese basketball is back among the elite, even if the ultimate prize eluded them this time.
"It's a pity we didn't win tonight. We only lost by one point," said China's team captain Zhao Rui. "This loss actually motivates us. We can learn from it and improve the areas where we need to improve. Some fans probably didn't expect a close game, but we delivered a wonderful game for the fans tonight. This one point loss will remind us to work harder and get better. Today is just the start, not the end."
As the confetti fell in Jeddah, Australia once again stood tallest. With Cooks and Galloway leading the charge, the Boomers reaffirmed their dominance and left no doubt about their place at the summit. For China, the wait for a 17th title continues, but the promise shown in this campaign suggests a potential rivalry is only just beginning.
FIBA