Gliddon chips away at Boomers
WA product Cameron Gliddon is prepared to wait for his chance to shine on the international stage as he searches for continual improvement in the Australian Boomers set-up.
Gliddon was in the experimental Boomers team that came from behind to win the opening game of the Sino-Australia Challenge against China at Challenge Stadium on Thursday night.
He will suit up again when the teams do battle at the same venue tonight before travelling to China for games on June 6 and 8.
Gliddon is one of a host of young stars looking to make a name for themselves and score an invitation to the next Boomers camp before the World Cup in Spain, starting on August 30.
At least five spots are up for grabs on the final 12-man roster, making the current series a virtual audition for a string of World Cup hopefuls from the NBL - such as Gliddon who plays for Cairns - or based in the US college system.
At 25, Gliddon has time on his side. If the 2012-13 NBL rookie of the year doesn't sneak on to the World Cup roster, it won't be the end of the world.
"Right now I'm just trying to get better for next year and trying to imprint my spot in this extended squad," Gliddon said.
"I hope that I can keep getting invited back because it's a huge honour to represent Australia.
"Andrej (Lemanis) has put forth that if you perform at this camp you could get to the next camp, so I think that's everyone's short-term goal.
"But if it doesn't happen for me this year I'm OK with that.
"I'm pretty young and I've still got a few years left in me.
"I know I've got a lot of improving to do to get to the World Cup kind of level of basketball."
Gliddon will have plenty of support tonight, with his family making its way from Bunbury to cheer on the Boomers.
The family will watch Gliddon's cousin, Ryan Lim, play for WA in the national under-18 football championships against Vic Metro at Medibank Stadium today before making its way to the basketball.
"It should be a good family affair," Gliddon said.
The Boomers will be looking to establish a 2-0 advantage over China in the series tonight.
China's inexperienced side held sway for most of the opening game and led by 15 points during the third quarter.
The Boomers outscored China 18-7 in the fourth quarter to send the game to extra time.
Free throws from Gliddon and Rhys Martin sealed the 97-95 result for the Boomers.
