Basketball On The Internet.

BRONZE-medal winning Boomers forward Nick Kay returns to the Australian men's lineup for yet another window - the fourth, so far - in the World Cup qualifiers later this month, taking on the might of FIBA's 106th-ranked Bahrain before hosting Iran (ranked 23) in Bendigo.

Coming off a successful Asia Cup campaign where the Boomers went back-to-back as champions, Australia is in Bahrain on August 25, and Bendigo on August 29.

Mike Kelly is back to helm the team in Brian Goorjian's absence, with Asia Cup Gold Medallists Mitch McCarron, Sam Froling and Rhys Vague also returning.

The team is Todd Blanchfield, Angus Brandt, Sam Froling. Rory Hawke, Nick Kay, Mitch McCarron, Alex Mudronja, Mitch Norton, Alex Toohey, Luke Travers, Rhys Vague and Dejan Vasiljevic.

Angus Brandt and Vague join Kay and Froling as Boomers "bigs", Mudronja continues in the shoes of former fellow South Aussie Mark Bradtke in playing more games for Australia than in the NBL (so far), and BA Centre of Excellence pair Alex Toohey and Rory Hawke have their chance to shine.

Mitch Norton's return also is a welcome sight, as is Todd Blanchfield - when he's not shooting that side-on one-handed piece of poop he's fallen in love with.

The additions of Perth Wildcats forward Luke Travers and Sydney Kings sharpshooter Dejan Vasiljevic after their stints at the NBA Summer League, also is exciting, both making their Boomers debuts.

There are some now saying that so many players being given the privilege of wearing the hallowed green-and-gold cheapens Australian selection and makes it akin to being a State junior - who wasn't?

But expanding the depth and opportunity for our new breed surely is a good thing. Especially when they get to cut their teeth on gruelling opponents such as those bandits of Bahrain.