David Andersen is a major presence in European basketball but the time has finally come for the Melbourne-born centre to make a name for himself in Australia.

With the Boomers to be without some of their biggest names, the key player for Australia in next month’s Olympic qualifying series against New Zealand is expected to be 27 year-old Andersen.

The man who has been starring in the Euroleague for years has impressed Boomers coach Goorjian with his work ethic and all-around enthusiasm after recently completing camp on the Gold Coast.

"There has been a trend against top players playing international basketball in their off-season. I went to Russia to see David. When I stepped off the plane David just said 'I'm in'," Goorjian said.

"He has played in Euroleague and become a Euroleague icon.”

"He's in the prime of his career and him putting his hand up is a huge bonus for us."

The Athens 2004 Olympics was the last time Andersen was in the Australian team for a major tournament and after playing in Europe for years Goorjian understands that the Australian public could be forgiven for not knowing his name.

"If you take Matty Nielsen, Andrew Bogut and the other big names we've got internationally, David is the one Australia knows the least about," Goorjian said.

"There's a tremendous amount of pressure on him. So he's carrying that pressure.”

"No one's really seen him. He's really excited to play in Australia and show what he can do.”

"He knows the importance of this series and he knows none of the other guys are here."

American Darnell Mee is another play to watch for and will take over the point guard role in absence of the injured CJ Bruton.

Mee had also been an inspirational player in camp, Goorjian told Buckle.

"He knows he can do something special so he's energised by all of that.”

"He's 36 years old and he's just become an Australian.”

"He falls into the same category as David. He's a guy who's really thrilled.”

"He's six-seven and long-armed. He's as big as Sam Mackinnon and he's playing power forward for us."

The Boomers depart Sydney on Friday for Europe.

AAP/NBL