Boomers shooter Goulding welcomes Olympic roster battle

Chris Goulding knows he faces a tight selection tussle to play at a third Olympics. (Rob Prezioso/AAP PHOTOS)

'Que sera, sera' would be too flippant a phrase to describe Chris Goulding's outlook as the Boomers' Olympics selection deadline approaches.

The 35-year-old sharpshooter is hell-bent on booking his ticket to Paris, with coach Brian Goorjian bullish about Australia's chances of snaring a historic first men's basketball gold medal.

But Goulding is content with the cards he has laid on the table, knowing he's fully capable of doing what's required in the coming weeks to confirm a spot on the plane - if Goorjian wants him.

Goulding
Goulding had a fine NBL season for Melbourne United.

The Boomers' 17-player squad will be cut to 12 for the Games after a camp in Melbourne, starting this month, which features lead-up fixtures against China on July 2 and July 4.

"I'm not nervous anymore," Goulding told AAP.

"I've been around the program long enough that the coaches and everyone know what I can bring to the team.

"I feel confident in the fact that if I go in there in shape and put my best foot forward, if they feel they need that for the team, well then I'll be fine.

"If something changes and team make-up is going in a different direction, well then so be it."

Goulding feels "really good, really strong" after recovering from minor ankle surgery which followed a brilliant NBL season with Melbourne United.

He led his club to the Championship Series, where they fell short in an epic tussle with Tasmania JackJumpers, and landed a spot in the All-NBL first team.

Goulding's outstanding individual performances earned him a two-year contract extension with Melbourne and kept him firmly in the Boomers frame, where he now faces a battle with the likes of fellow NBL stars Jack McVeigh and DJ Vasiljevic for a Games berth.

McVeigh
JackJumpers hero Jack McVeigh will be vying with Goulding for an Olympic spot.

"I was definitely convinced after Tokyo that that would be my last Olympics, so now to be as close as I am with a chance of going to a third is pretty surreal," Goulding said.

"I don't take that for granted, not at all.

"I'm one of those guys that can't really make plans until the last minute.

"I'm generally one of the last ones that will find out if they're going to make it and it's no different this year.

"We've got so many guys that are vying for a couple of spots and I think whichever way the coaching staff wants to go will be the right way."

Despite the quality of opposition and a 10th-place finish at last year's World Cup, the Boomers are optimistic about their medal chances in Paris after snaring bronze in Tokyo.

NBA stars Patty Mills, Josh Giddey and Josh Green will lead the charge against star-studded Canada, and potentially Spain or Greece, in a tough pool stage.

Greeen
NBA stars Josh Green and Josh Giddey are set to be Olympic teammates in Paris.

"The goal remains the same," Goulding said.

"We've tasted medal success, we want more, we want to go further.

"We look back at being up 10-15 points against Team USA in a semi-final (in Tokyo) and you look at some things you could do better and try to go that one step further.

"That's definitely what we'll be looking to do."

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