Isaac Humphries had a sniff of the NBA and the 19-year-old Sydney Kings centre is keen for more.
When Humphries and the Kings enter the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Monday (Tuesday midday AEDT) for their historic clash with the Utah Jazz, there will be NBA scouts from most of the elite basketball league's 30 teams courtside.
The 213cm tall Sydney-born Humphries loves playing for his home team in the NBL, but he would like another crack at the NBA.
"Anytime you play basketball these days is a tryout," Humphries, who arrived in Salt Lake City with his weary Kings teammates on Thursday, told AAP.
"Everyone is watching.
"More specifically I'm playing in front of an NBA team before their scouts so it's a little different.
"I do see it as an opportunity, but at the end of the day it is trying to do the best we can as a team and playing in the US is a great stepping stone for our team."
He spent two years under legendary University of Kentucky coach John Calipari, but at the June NBA Draft didn't hear his name called out and despite workouts with teams including the Los Angeles Lakers, Detroit Pistons and Denver Nuggets and a stint at the Washington Wizards he did not secure a contract.
In a stroke of luck, the Kings will become the first NBL team to take on an NBA team in Monday's pre-season game.
The Jazz feature two Australians, Joe Ingles and Dante Exum.
"Definitely not," Humphries, when asked if he had given up on his NBA dream, said.
"I'm still 19."
Kings coach Andrew Gaze, who had a couple of stints in the NBA, said if an NBA opportunity was offered to one his players the team would "absolutely endorse and encourage it".
"We don't want them to go out and use this game to put a highlight reel on their resume," Gaze said.
"We want them to buy into what we are doing, but if they do well then good things can happen."
The Kings face numerous obstacles including attempting to shrug off jet lag, dealing with adverse effects from Salt Lake City being 1288m above sea level and the extended NBA three-point line.
"Yesterday was pretty rough," Humphries said.
"Every day just gets better."
It was not until Humphries and the Kings were working out at the University of Utah basketball facility on Friday that he realised the impact of the city's elevation.
"I said, 'Am I only the only one feeling this? What's going on?'," Humphries laughed.
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