The World Cup dream of Mitch Creek might become a reality after all following an untimely knee injury to Boomers forward Xavier Cooks.
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Cooks was spotted on crutches on Wednesday, with reports stating he has suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee.
Basketball Australia are yet to confirm the severity of the injury, but it seems almost certain Cooks will now miss the upcoming World Cup in China, as well as warm-up games against Canada and the US.
Cooks' injury could open the door for Creek, who was surprisingly left out of the Boomers' 12-man World Cup squad.
Creek played four games for the Brooklyn Nets and one game for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA last season, and has been lured back to Australia to be the face of new NBL franchise South East Melbourne Phoenix.
The 27-year-old is a strong chance to replace Cooks in the Boomers' World Cup squad, though Brock Motum and Deng Adel are also quality options under consideration.
Cooks was a late addition to the extended Boomers squad after Thon Maker ruled himself unavailable due to NBA training commitments.
The Boomers are also without NBA superstar Ben Simmons, Dante Exum and Ryan Broekhoff.
But their first opponents at the World Cup - Canada - are missing even more top-line talent.
Miami Heat big man Kelly Olynyk became the latest player to pull out of Canada's World Cup squad due to bruising on his knee.
Andrew Wiggins, Jamal Murray, RJ Barrett, Tristan Thompson, Dwight Powell, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are among other big-name Canadian absentees.
The Boomers face off against Canada in Perth on Friday and Saturday night in warm-up games that will prove crucial ahead of the World Cup.
Canada veteran Phil Scrubb said the injury to Olynyk was a big blow.
"He was going to be a big part of our team. But we understand he's injured and we can't look back," Scrubb said.
"We don't necessarily have the talent level that we were expecting, but we work pretty hard and we've got a good enough squad to do well.
"We don't have many guys in the NBA, but we have guys who are ready to play.
"I don't think we're intimidated or scared by anyone. We've all played together before, and we're ready to battle and try to win."
Australian Associated Press
