Among the galaxy of NBA stars unveiled in Australia's strongest ever world cup squad was a Launceston-born starlet seeking to continue his home state's impressive involvement in the sport's major competitions.
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The 17-man Boomers squad announced this week was headlined by 10 players from the world's biggest league including all-star Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers), Patty Mills (San Antonio Spurs), Matt Dellavedova (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Andrew Bogut (Golden State Warriors).
However, among that star-studded crop, and seated alongside injured Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles at the squad announcement press conference in Melbourne, was a Tasmanian who has already featured at a world cup, Olympics and Commonwealth Games.
And Chris Goulding is only too aware of his state's rich hoops history.
Of the 26 players named in Basketball Australia's provisional squad for the last Olympic Games, no fewer than three were born in Launceston.
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Goulding arrived in 1988, a couple of years after Adam Gibson and four after Lucas Walker. With Matty Knight born in the same timeframe and following fellow Burnie product Anthony Stewart's lengthy career, Tasmania can boast a formidable all-star NBL line-up.
But despite making the final cut for Rio and the 2014 FIBA World Cup, as well as spearheading Commonwealth Games glory last year after leading Melbourne United to his second NBL title, Goulding knows not to take anything for granted.
"It's the same mindset. It doesn't do me any good to go in expecting to make the team," the former West Launceston Primary School pupil told the Sydney Morning Herald about making the final 12 for the tournament in China from August 31.
"I've played at a World Cup, played at an Olympics. I got there by coming into camp, finding out what the team would need for me and then playing my role."
Some players with NBA experience, including young Atlanta Hawks centre Isaac Humphries, have already been left out and coach Andrej Lemanis hasn't ruled out cutting more.
"There has been squads and teams before where guys who aren't expected to make it, make it," Goulding said.
"Guys who you think would be a lock miss out. You can go through and try to pencil people in and there are some stalwarts who will be 100 per cent there.
"But it will come down to performances at camp and how Andrej and coaching staff think people will fit."
The 192-centimetre 30-year-old shooting guard hopes to be over a nagging knee issue before the August camp which precedes a Boomers campaign alongside Lithuania, Canada and Senegal in Group H.
"It was tough because it was something I didn't need that much time to fix. I needed a few weeks but you can't take that time off in the middle of the season.
"I'm really positive with where I am with my body. I'm still not where I want to be come August when the camp starts, but I'm tracking in the right direction."
The son of North Launceston premiership player and North Melbourne recruit Steve Goulding retains fond memories of where his basketball journey began before his family moved to Queensland in the mid-90s.
"I started playing basketball in Launceston. It all got a lot more competitive in Brisbane but it definitely started there," he told The Examiner in 2016.
"I remember my first team my parents put together was called the Supercats at the PCYC. I played with my cousin and a couple of friends.
"I've still got a lot of friends down in Tassie and a few aunts and cousins.
"Everyone that knows me knows I'm from Tasmania. I consider myself Tasmanian. I spent a lot of time in Brisbane but I definitely claim to be Tasmanian."
Goulding's lengthy NBL career began with the Brisbane Bullets where he won a championship alongside Gibson in 2007 before subsequent spells with Perth Wildcats (2008-09), Gold Coast Blaze (2009-2012), Melbourne Tigers (2012-14) and Melbourne United where he won a second title.
He also has NBA summer league exposure with Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks, represented Spanish club CAI Zaragoza in 2014 and helped Italian side Auxilium Torino avoid relegation in 2016.
Five years after making his international debut, Goulding knows this year's world cup campaign will have increased scrutiny with lead-up games against Canada in Perth and USA at Marvel Stadium.
"My first two tournaments, the world cup and the Olympics, were life-changing. I imagine this one would be the same if I make it," he said.
"We keep adding high level pieces to the mix. Touch wood we will eventually get across that line and get a medal. Hopefully it's the best colour one."