The Australian men's and women's basketball teams take their Olympic preparation up a notch with friendlies against China in Melbourne this week but the games have weighty consequences for the likes of Xavier Cooks.
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Boomers coach Brian Goorjian will cut his men's squad from 17 to 12 after the two practice games and, while NBA stars such as Patty Mills, Josh Giddey, Dante Exum and Josh Green, are assured a ticket to Paris, there's uncertainty for a crop of players including Cooks.
The NBL power forward has experienced Olympic heartbreak before - axed in the final selection call for the Tokyo Games, where the Boomers went on to win an historic bronze medal.
Despite making last year's team to the FIBA World Cup, which only managed 10th place, Cooks told AAP the selection experience was just as nerve-wracking this time around.
"It's still just as stressful," the 28-year-old said.
"I made the World Cup team in 2019 and got injured and had to pull out then and then I was cut from the Tokyo Olympic team and I was a reserve so I know how it feels to fall short.
"And then last year was an unbelievable moment to wear the green and gold and obviously the results weren't great but it was a huge honour to be able to play for the Australian team."
He said there were seven or eight "locks" for Olympic selection, while the rest needed to state their case against China, with the first match on Tuesday night.
"Our way to make the team is thrive in team basketball, they're not looking for someone to come out and be a superstar as we've already got those."
The Boomers boast nine NBA players but lack the headline acts like those of gold medal favourites USA.
Cooks said it meant the players had a "humble" approach, putting the team first.
"That's the best part about our team, we're all very humble," he said.
"No-one has an ego around here and we're really willing to share the ball and play together.
"You can see that our practices that that was the biggest emphasis, to play together and share the love."
Cooks won the 2023 NBL MVP award, helping the Sydney Kings win back-to-back titles and was then signed by the Washington Wizards, making his NBA debut.
But in October that year he was waived by the Wizards and has landed back at the Kings via a stint in Japan.
He said that he brought high energy to the Boomers outfit, which was valuable in a tournament space.
"I think I'm a bit of an energiser bunny," the Wollongong product said.
"Especially at the World Cup and an Olympic campaign when we play so many games in a short span of time you need someone to change the momentum and bring the energy and that's what I bring to this team."
Following the China matches the men will head to Abu Dhabi to face the USA and Serbia before moving on to France for the Games.
The Opals next face Spain and Canada in the Invitational Cup in Segovia, Spain.
Australian Associated Press
