BASKETBALL: NBA Championship-winner Patrick Mills has been added to the Australian men's basketball team to take on New Zealand in the 2015 FIBA Oceania Championships.
 
Mills comes into the line-up following a left ACL tear to Dante Exum in last Wednesday’s game against Slovenia, reducing Australian team to 11 players.

Talking from the United States, Mills said that he was excited by the opportunity to play for automatic qualification for Rio 2016.
 
“I’m looking forward to joining my Boomers teammates for this very important qualification series against New Zealand,” he said.
 
“Playing for my country has always been an honour for me.
 
“Obviously my shoulder injury last year meant that I had to continue intensive rehab and quality training over the past few months. I've done that and will be ready for the Oceania Championships.
 
“My focus now is helping my Boomers teammates qualify for Rio 2016.”
 
The unfortunate timing of Exum’s injury in what was the last match of the Aussie's European Tour meant that any replacement player will not have been present for the four Internationals against Lithuania and Slovenia. These extenuating circumstances have resulted in Mills’ late call-up to the Boomers team.
 
Boomers’ head coach Andrej Lemanis considered the options which included going with a reduced team of 11 or, bringing in a player at this late stage just days out from the series against New Zealand’s Tall Blacks.    
 
Speaking at Friday’s press conference, Lemanis explained:
 
“The caveat is always what’s in the best interest of the team. This group has spent time together building a synergy and adding a piece to that obviously needs to add value so we need to work through that.”
 
Having spoken with Mills over the weekend, Lemanis added:
 
“Although Dante’s injury is still fresh in our mind, we need to adapt quickly and move on as our focus now is on beating New Zealand.  
 
“Patty is the best-placed player to come into the team quickly,” Lemanis continued. “He’s an elite player, an NBA Champion and seasoned at International play and importantly, knows the Boomers’ system and style of play.  
 
“If we were going to add a player to replace Dante, we needed someone who can help us beat New Zealand and that is Patty Mills.”

Basketball Australia