Veteran power forward David Barlow has continued to wind back the clock with a recall to the Australian Boomers team for their next round of FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
The 35-year-old Melbourne United star has been earning praise across the NBL for his form this season after finally overcoming a series of debilitating injuries which threatened his career.
The two-time Olympian missed the better part of two years before returning to a bench role in last year's NBL championship team.
Last playing for the Boomers at the London Olympics in 2012, Barlow made the cut from the extended squad to the final 12 for matches against Iran on November 30 and Qatar on December 3, with both games at Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne.
Wins in either match of the fifth round window would secure Australia a place at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China while they still have matches next February against Kazakhstan and Iran.
Brisbane sharpshooter Cameron Gliddon is the other new face in the squad from their last outing in September, returning after being involved in all six of their games through the first round.
They join the likes of Jason Cadee, Nick Kay, Mitch McCarron and Nathan Sobey who have played in every qualifying game, while Daniel Johnson has retained his spot after making his national debut in the previous window.
Australia's NBA players are unavailable due to their club commitments.
Coach Andrej Lemanis said it was tough to cut the squad in half.
"It's such a luxury having this depth of talent available to select from in Australian basketball," Lemanis said.
The Boomers last met Iran in the gold medal game of the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup, prevailing 79-56 to claim the trophy and finish that tournament undefeated.
Boomers: David Barlow (Melbourne United), Todd Blanchfield (Illawarra Hawks), Angus Brandt (Perth Wildcats), Jason Cadee (Brisbane Bullets), Cameron Gliddon (Brisbane Bullets), Matthew Hodgson (Brisbane Bullets), Daniel Johnson (Adelaide 36ers), Nick Kay (Perth Wildcats), Mitch McCarron (Melbourne United), Craig Moller (Melbourne United), Mitch Norton (Perth Wildcats), Nathan Sobey (Adelaide 36ers).
Australian Associated Press
