Boomers coach Brian Goorjian will soon announce an extended squad for the Tokyo Olympics, with the full assumption that it will go ahead.
Of course, the big question when discussing an international Australian basketball side is whether Ben Simmons will play.
The 76ers All-Star opted out of the 2019 FIBA World Cup to the dismay of Aussie fans, with the Boomers ultimately placing fourth.
Goorjian kept his cards close to his chest, but indicated it could be good news on the Simmons front for Tokyo.
“I’ve got communication going and I think that’s going to be in a good place,” he told 1170 SEN.
“I got something going on next week as we get closer and closer, but I’m feeling good about it.
“I want to get the best playing for the country. I think Ben Simmons is such an important piece to this, not only for these Olympics, but there’s a tremendous love of the Boomers with that top five, with Andrew Bogut, with 'Delly' (Matthew Dellavedova), with Aron Baynes, with (Joe) Ingles and Patty Mills.
“If Ben can be a part of that group and get that into his blood for the next (Olympics), because those guys aren’t going to be there forever and you’re thinking about the future and Ben is a huge key in all of this.”
The 2021 Olympics remain in doubt given the struggles Japan is having with COVID-19. Goorjian hopes desperately that the games go on for the sake of the older Boomers guard who may be participating in their final big international tournament.
“We’re definitely moving on as business as usual. I’m shortly to announce the squad so I definitely need to be making contact and communicate with each player that’s on it so as I bounce around and touch those main guys, I’ve been amazed at how committed they are,” Goorjian said.
“Yesterday when there was a bit of a swirl underneath that (the Olympics) may not happen, I think the guys like Patty Mills and Aron Baynes and Joe Ingles would be absolutely gutted.
“I think they’re so excited about this last opportunity and this last shot. After 10 years of work, they see this as the time to medal.
“They would be devastated if it didn’t take place.”
Goorjian also serves as coach of the Illawarra Hawks in the NBL and is doing his best to find the balance between his dual roles.
“I’ve got an eight or nine day window for practice once I get this (Boomers) group together and I’ve got to see what these (NBA) teams run for the guys that are going to play for us,” he said.
“How they score, what they’re comfortable in, what they like in the teams they play and try to emulate that a little with what we do.
“So I am keeping an eye not only on the stats, but trying to watch games that Ben (Simmons) plays, that Joe (Ingles) plays, that 'Delly' (Matthew Dellavedova) plays.
“I’m in the process right now with my dual roles, I’ve been in Albury, Wodonga, over to Cairns, Cairns to Brisbane, Brisbane back to Cairns, Cairns back to Brisbane, Brisbane back to Cairns and I’ve been locked in on the Illawarra Hawks.
“But once I’ve got a five-day window here and now I’m putting a squad together that needs to be announced.
“So not only the NBA, the NBL I’m keeping my eye on all the players for maybe a squad of 24 or 25 players that need to be announced.
“I need to personally touch them and find out if they want to one, be a part of it and what it entails and two, communicating with the staff and trying to put together a system.”
The Boomers will be attempting to bring home their first basketball Olympic Medal, as a decade of building culminates in Tokyo.