Coach Brian Goorjian is relying on a 36-year-old rookie point guard to ensure the Australian men's team qualify for the Beijing Olympics.
The Boomers face New Zealand in a crucial three-game series next month, with the victor guaranteed a place in the 2008 Olympics.
The losers' only otheravenue to Beijing will be an extremely difficult tournament in Europe just prior to the Games.
With point guards CJ Bruton and Stephen Black out of contention to face New Zealand, Goorjian has turned to Darnell Mee to guide the team's fortunes.
American-born Mee, a former NBA player and a 10-year veteran in the NBL with Canberra, Adelaide, Cairns and Wollongong, became a naturalised Australian in December last year.
Currently competing in his first Boomers camp on the Gold Coast, Mee will be a certain selection in Goorjian's team for the Oceania series against the Kiwis, barring injury.
"The wildcard for us in this is Darnell Mee," Goorjian said.
"With CJ and Black and all the point guards not here, that position is an issue we have in this country.
"Luke Kendall and Adam Gibson are in a back-up situation and doing a good job and getting better.
"Darnell, we're just trying to pace him and hopefully he's peaking and ready to give us something in the [New Zealand] games.
"Darnell is a very, very smart player."
An 18-man squad is currently on the Gold Coast, which will be trimmed to 12 for a trip to Europe and the series with the Kiwis.
Goorjian said the likes of David Andersen and Brad Newley have stood out, while Perth Wildcat Damien Ryan has been a pleasant surprise.
NBA hopeful Luke Schenscher joined the camp on Wednesday after his recent stint playing five games with the Minnesota Timberwolves in the American NBA Summer League.
The Australian coach is being extremely careful with Mee, who picked up a slight ankle knock and sat out Wednesday's training session.
But players such as Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal and Bruton have previously shown that guards can play well into their 30s in the international game.
Australia lost on points count-back to the Kiwis last year after a 2-2 series result, struggling with an inexperienced back-court including Kendall and college product Aaron Bruce.
