Basketball On The Internet.

PATTY Mills will play the Oceania Series – was there truly any doubt once Dante tore his ACL? – and in other news, his Boomers teammate Nathan Jawai is being linked to Perth Wildcats.

Mills lobbed back from the US today, ahead of the Boomers going back into camp tonight and getting back on the track tomorrow, timing which always suggested his return was imminent.

He had Andrew Bogut’s endorsement last Friday and was the obvious man to bring in once Exum suffered his cruel injury against Slovenia.

To reiterate, Mills only was initially omitted because he was unavailable for the European tour preparation for the two-game Oceania Series, the winner of which automatically qualifying for the Rio Olympics.

He was having more shoulder rehab in San Antonio and had accepted his omission decision.

But when Exum went down and he received the SOS, he naturally answered the call.

His addition to Andrej Lemanis’ team is the least disruptive, Mills already across what the Boomers run.

“Although Dante’s injury is still fresh in our mind, we need to adapt quickly and move on as our focus now is on beating New Zealand,” Lemanis said. 

“Patty is the best-placed player to come into the team quickly.

“He’s an elite player, an NBA Champion and seasoned at international play and importantly, knows the Boomers’ system and style of play. 

“If we were going to add a player to replace Dante, we needed someone who can help us beat New Zealand and that is Patty Mills.”

Excellent. It gives Aussie fans the man they want to see as well and guarantees a sell-out for Saturday’s double-header with the Opals-NZ at Rod Laver Arena.

WILD CAT? Nathan Jawai in red, a precursor for what may yet come? 

Meanwhile it remains unconfirmed at this stage but the hottest rumour of the day has Perth Wildcats reaching out to Nate Jawai, an NBL Rookie of the Year with Cairns Taipans and All Star Game MVP – that was before he played NBA, in Europe and for the Boomers.

Apparently the Wildcats still have a lazy $1.5million left in their salary cap funds and are keen to add Big Nate now that they’ve noticed every team has been improved.

Oh. And in case you missed it, United has announced Steve Holt and Ekene Ibekwe as its two imports for NBL season 2015-16.

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