Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis says Australia's new-look path to basketball's World Cup is adding another layer to the NBL as players scrap for spots and benefit from time spent in national camp.
Wins against Taiwan and Japan late last month kicked off the Boomers' road to China for the 2019 World Cup.
The Boomers play four more qualifying games before July 2 next year in an attempt to earn progression to the next stage.
The 18-month qualification process has replaced the outdated continental championships, which denied the Boomers meaningful games at home and more opportunities to play in general.
Lemanis said he had already seen the benefits, with squad members Chris Goulding (Melbourne), Mitch Creek (Adelaide) and Jason Cadee (Sydney) all returning to their clubs from national duty in sparkling form.
"There's suddenly another reward there and I do note from experience guys that go and play come back and play very well for their club teams," Lemanis, who also coaches the Brisbane Bullets in the NBL, said.
Australia's next two games are on home soil against Philippines and Taiwan in February, with the squad to again be reliant on NBL talent.
While the coach said loyalty would factor into his squad selection, Lemanis admitted week-to-week form now counted for more than just a win or loss at club level.
"Some people are disappointed to miss selection or understand they're on the fringe of the team (and play better)," he said.
"The group is fluid and certainly your history with the team is taken into consideration, but also injuries and form get taken into consideration too."
Australia were comfortable victors in their opening encounters but Lemanis says New Zealand's loss to South Korea in Wellington proved progression through Asia would not be a cakewalk.
"People underestimate the quality of Asian teams," Lemanis said.
"Japan's a really good team; well coached, they play hard, shoot it well and Korea is the same."
