Coach Andrej Lemanis knows he has some tough decisions to make at the selection table with the Australian men's basketball team - and not just for the World Cup squad.
The Boomers secured their place in next year's FIBA World Cup after comprehensive wins over Iran and against Qatar in Melbourne.
After using 24 players through the qualifying rounds, the majority of them playing locally in the NBL, there will be limited spots available when our NBA-based stars return to make up the final squad to face the United States in Melbourne next August before heading to China.
But the next opportunity to represent their country falls during February's final international window, which is scheduled between the final round of the NBL regular season and the semi-finals.
With the last two qualifiers to be played in Kazakhstan and Iran, Lemanis admitted that discussions would need to be held in conjunction with the players to determine availability for those whose NBL teams finish in the top four.
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"There's a bit of consideration to be had before the next window in terms of how much disruption to the NBL," Lemanis said in the aftermath of Monday's 110-59 demolition of Qatar.
While this could pose a logistical nightmare leading into the final two qualifiers, Lemanis remains hopeful the situation can be managed effectively.
"You might not know until Sunday (of the final round) which teams are in the playoffs and then you fly out on Monday for the international window," he said.
"Who knows...third, fourth and fifth (on the NBL ladder) might still all be playing out so how do you book the tickets?
"I think the sentiment is good but it's how we manage this now from a practicality point of view.
"It's tough - it's going to take some communication and some planning for sure."
Lemanis was full of praise for the current squad after they drained 21 three-pointers in their 51-point thumping of Qatar.
"This current qualifying format has exposed a whole bunch of players to the international game of basketball," he said.
"It's been a fun and rewarding experience for me to watch each one of them grow at different times in this environment.
"I couldn't be more proud of the body of work that these guys have put together and the way they have represented Australia on the international stage."
