NBA initiative Basketball Without Borders is in it's 15th year but this is the first time it's being held in Australia, with the hopes of inspiring the next generation of players from across the Asia Pacific.
Players, coaches and scouts from the NBA, NBL and the International Basketball Federation come together with the best 45 teen players nominated from seven countries.
"We look forward to seeing you all on the big stage in years to come, hopefully in the NBA, hopefully in the NBL, hopefully in the WNBA and the WNBL," said General Manager of the Australian National Basketball League, Jeremy Loeliger, as he welcomed the participants.
While the focus will be on developing skills over the four-day program, NBA legend David "The Admiral" Robinson said the off-shoot will be cultural understanding.
"Basketball breaks down racial barriers, it breaks down national barriers, so I love to use it for what it's worth to bring people together," he said.
Australian professional basketball player for Utah Jazz, Dante Exum, said it was also a chance for NBA officials to see the talent coming up through the ranks down under.
"We have so much great talent down here that hasn't been discovered yet. You see that in the number of Australian players coming to the NBA," he said.
Source: SBS
Utah Jazz teammate Joe Ingles said many Australians playing in the United States had been pushing for the basketball development program to come to the Asia Pacific region.
Ingles said with so many Aussies in the NBA, it was an obvious next step.
"With seven of us over there now it's the most we've ever had but there is more to come. So we wanted them to show the love back to us and show they know what's happening."
Since 2001, Basketball Without Borders has reached more than 2,500 players from 130 countries. The experience has paid dividends for many, with 37 former participants drafted into the NBA.
NBL coach and former player Andrew Gaze said it's programs like this that help overcome the disadvantage of distance for Australian players.
"We do have a problem here in Australia with the geography of it all, it is a very long way away, so to get this international experience does help a lot with the development of these kids"
But once the whistle blows on Sunday, it's time for Australia's internationals to get down to Olympic business.
Dante Exum and Andrew Bogut aren't likely to be joining the Boomers this season due to injuries, but Australian and San Antonio Spurs player Patty Mills said the rest of the team are determined to get the job done.
"We start camp in a couple of weeks, to be able to go into camp with a purpose a meaningful purpose to try and do something no other Australian team has done before."
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