Gaze: Cotton and Mills can thrive together

It’s a sight many Australian fans have been waiting to see: one of Australia’s greatest basketball exports alongside one of the NBL’s greatest imports, both representing the green and gold.

Bryce Cotton is set to make his Australian Boomers debut against Guam on Friday night, and arguably Australia's greatest player of all time, Andrew Gaze, believes the six-time NBL MVP could be part of something special.

With the FIBA World Cup in Qatar in August 2027 and the LA Olympics the following year, Gaze believes Cotton and Patty Mills can thrive together in the Boomers backcourt.

“It depends on the balance but certainly from a need standpoint (shooting), I think they can coexist,” Gaze told CODE Sports.

“Because Josh (Giddey) is so unique and he can guard a three – potentially a four – so you could play both Bryce and Patty together in my view.

“I’m not suggesting they start together but there are times in games when both those guys could cause some challenges for an opponent.”

Cotton has achieved just about everything possible during his time in Australia, but even he admits earning a place in a full-strength Boomers squad will be no easy feat.

“That shows why there are so many Aussie guys playing at elite levels – not only here in the NBL - but in Europe and the NBA,” he said.

“Trying to make a team when you talk about bringing back the country’s best players - you’ve definitely got your work cut out for you.”

Cotton will represent Australia in two FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in Perth, taking on Guam on Friday before facing the Philippines on Monday.