Why the Boomers' qualifiers matter more than ever

They’ve already advanced from the first stage of the FIBA World Cup Asia Qualifiers, but the Australian Boomers have no intention of taking their foot off the pedal.

In fact, Head Coach Adam Caporn has assembled a squad described as "star-studded" for two games against Guam and the Philippines in Perth on July 3 and 6.

It’s a signal of intent from an Australian team very much still in the works, with spots up for grabs and competition fierce.

"These games for us essentially don't mean a whole lot, especially when we've already qualified," Pete Hooley said on NBL Now.

"But you look at the roster up and down. It happens a lot when we qualify early and roll out a squad with guys who've just been knocking on the door for an opportunity.

"This is star-studded.

"This is a really, really strong qualifying team that we have put together.

"I think we’re going to see them flex a bit of muscle at RAC Arena."

Seven NBL players have been named in the 12-man squad, including Taran Armstrong, Jack McVeigh, Keanu Pinder and debutant Bryce Cotton.

Meanwhile, NBA rising star Tyrese Proctor's decision to suit up underlines just how competitive the race for Boomers selection has become, while also reflecting the pride players take in representing their country.

"I think it says a lot about the Australia program ... where we've got to now and where we're going for a guy like Tyrese Proctor to say, 'I want to play in this'," Hooley said.

"They've got the green and gold culture established in them early, so no matter where they end up in the world, they've still got that to fall back on," NBL champion Damon Lowery added.

"'I'll take some time out from my NBA pre-season because I want to play for Australia. What can be better than that?'"

While Australia has already secured qualification through Asia, Hooley believes these windows remain vital as Caporn begins building towards next year's FIBA World Cup in Doha.

"I think it's important to remember that because a lot of people say the same thing with the Boomers: 'Why are we playing these games?'" he said.

"It happens throughout the season when we have FIBA breaks. People say, 'We've got to play these games again. We know we're going to qualify for the Asia Cup. We know we're going to do all of this anyway. Why do we have to do it?'

"But otherwise, you're throwing young people into camps right before major tournaments, and that is hard. That is really, really hard to do.

"These are just as important as anything else we're going to do."

"People don't understand how little prep time you have," Lowery added.

"You'll go off and play in the NBA, and there's seven or eight months gone. You go off and play in Europe, and it's the same amount of time gone.

"So, do you think you can get everything you want out of a three, four or five-day camp, especially if you're a youngster? If I'm Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, I'm thinking, 'What's next?' This is his first real glimpse at it.

"So these qualifiers, I don't care if you win by 100, they are extremely important because they're reps that you wouldn't have had otherwise."

Australia takes on Guam on Friday night at 8:30pm AEST, live on ESPN.