The tentative steps towards a Tasmanian presence finally returning to the NBL arrived some way on Wednesday.
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While this certainly wasn't Larry Kestelman's promised vision and the state's name isn't on the singlets, the lineup had a familiarity about it during the NBL Blitz launch.
That started with NBL1 All-Stars coach Mark Chivers for the preseason tournament to be staged all over Tasmania.
The man in charge of the now ill-fated Hobart Huskies since the owners have pulled out of the competition just one season since replacing the Chargers was given the nod to bark out instructions to the composite side made up of eight of the NBL1 clubs.
"The NBL1 All-Stars team for the NBL Blitz gives Tasmanians a great opportunity to see NBL stars up close and enjoy world class basketball.," Chivers said
"Tasmanians will also have a chance to see some of their best local young players and I'm sure all the players selected for the NBL1 All-Stars will be keen to showcase their talents against Brisbane Bullets and Cairns Taipans.
"So we hope everyone in Tasmania will get behind the Blitz and support the push for Tasmania's own team."
North West Thunder coach Sam Armstrong will be one of his two assistants.
Zachary White also will play under his Huskies coach in preseason games at Ulverstone on September 19 and at the Silverdome two nights.
Tasmanian junior talent Reyne Smith was a surprise call-up to the NBL1 side.
The 16-year-old star from Ulverstone has impressed in his debut season for North West Thunder.
Frankston Blues recruit Lachlan Barker will return to his Penguin roots for the occasion on the big stage.
"It will be good to be home and playing again," he said.
"I'm looking forward to seeing a few familiar faces in the crowd. It's great that people can get to watch you again because I haven't been home for a while."
The ex-North West Thunder guard felt honoured to be one of 12 players selected.
Barker has averaged 12.6 points per game and 4.2 rebounds in a stellar NBL1 campaign, up on his four-year career numbers of 7.2 points and 1.7 rebounds.
They measure up well with some NBL fringe players, who the 23-year-old rubbed shoulders against this winter.
"I do have aspirations of playing in the NBL," he said.
"This is a great opportunity to be seen by pretty much all the teams and go against the best NBL players.
"It's a great opportunity, but winning comes first and a couple of upsets if we can."
Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
