Originally Posted by sportal.com.au

The Boomers have received a boost ahead of its 2009 training camp with news that Nathan Jawai is fully committed to the program.

Jawai, who last year became the first indigenous Australian to play in the NBA, will attend all Australian training camps this year and if selected will play all scheduled international matches.

With stars Matt Nielsen, Andrew Bogut and David Anderson unavailable and with Chris Anstey retired from international basketball, Jawai's 208cm, 130kg presence will be vital for the Boomers and he is ready to take his chance.

"I'm really looking forward to it," Jawai said from Cairns.

"I've been in the Boomers squad before but I haven't played any international games with the team, so hopefully I train well and get selected."

"If I'm going to break into the Boomers team for the 2010 Worlds and the London Olympics I need to get some international experience."

"This year the Boomers tour China, Argentina, Brazil and New Zealand and I plan to be in green and gold for every game. It's the perfect opportunity for me."

The first training camp begins on June 19 with two matches against China to be played at the end of the month.

Jawai will then return to USA to play in the NBA Summer League, before rejoining the Boomers for the remainder of the campaign.

He revealed that playing alongside cousin Patty Mills and good mate Kerry Williams will be a dream come true.

"I've been training with Kerry in Cairns and he's doing great things," Jawai said.

"And I've been following Patty's progress in the NBA workouts. He dropped 30 points in an All-Star game at the Treviso Euro Camp and I think he'll get drafted."

"Hopefully it's Toronto that picks him and they allow him to play for the Boomers so we can spend some time together."

Mills availability for the Boomers’ 2009 program will be determined by whether he is selected in the 2009 NBA Draft and then whether or not his potential NBA team allows him to play for Australia in the off-season.