Bogut,who attended a sponsor’s launch with Nick Kyrgios at Bondi Icebergs on Thursday,had a more circumspect view when asked about the likelihood of Simmons’ inclusion.

“From all the reports that I’ve heard,he will play,but we also heard that in 2019,” Bogut said.

“Until he’s there,in camp,finishes camp and then travels overseas,you’re 50-50 with it. We hope he plays but it’s one of those things that we really won’t know until he does.”

Regarded as one of the all-time great Boomers,Bogut has been playing the role of a sounding board for Goorjian and Basketball Australia in the lead up to the Olympics after retiring from the game last year.

Despite the Boomers first appearing in the Olympics in 1956 they have not yet won a medal. Bogut said Simmon’s presence would be a major factor in whether Australia can break the drought.

“In these tournaments,one bad game can set you back. One good game can propel you to a gold medal game,” Bogut said.

“For us,it’s about whether Ben Simmons plays or not - whether he puts his hand up for the first time and wants to play for Australia in a major tournament.”

Ahead of the Olympics,Goorjian will be setting up a seven-day pre-Olympic training camp at the start of July.

Players and staff will meet in LA to get to know one another before hopping on a plane to Las Vegas to play a number of pre-games before heading to the Olympic Village.

The camp will be a “drop-in” type set up and is not mandatory.

This week,Andrew Bogut joined Tennis legend Nick Kyrgios at Bondi Icebergs in Sydney,which was drained and transformed into a basketball court in celebration of the NBA’s partnership with Hennessy.