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Tasmania JackJumpers star Jack McVeigh has put his hand up for a spot in the Boomers' final squad for the Paris Olympics with a huge performance against China.
Jack McVeigh has given his Olympic selection hopes a huge boost with an outstanding performance in the Boomers' 107-87 friendly win over China.
As some of Australia's biggest names took it easy, McVeigh lit up in Tuesday night's tune-up fixture in Melbourne.
McVeigh exploded in the second and third quarters, landing six-of-eight three-point attempts to finish with 24 points.
Duop Reath (21 points, six rebounds), Xavier Cooks (10 points, seven rebounds, six assists) and Chris Goulding (14 points) also reached double figures.
Goulding landed four-of-seven three-point attempts in a strong second-half showing off the bench, playing his role superbly.
But McVeigh was the headline act on his return to John Cain Arena where he dominated the NBL Championship Series to lead Tasmania to their maiden title in March, as he chases a ticket for what would be a first Olympic appearance.
Boomers captain Patty Mills and fellow NBA star Josh Giddey both started against China but played less than 10 minutes each, sitting out the entire second half.
Josh Green and Dante Exum did not feature after playing for the Dallas Mavericks in last month's NBA Finals, and Jock Landale was also absent.
China got the early jump as Sanning Lioa scored their first seven points and the visitors led 32-25 at quarter-time on the back of five-of-seven shooting from deep.
But McVeigh dropped 10 points in the second period and tallied 13 for the first half, helping the home side to a 51-48 lead at the main break.
Goulding injected himself into the game with a trio of three-pointers in a dominant third period for the Boomers, who surged to an 81-64 lead with one quarter to play.
Reath was involved in an ugly final-quarter incident with Runwang Du, losing his cool in a confrontation and pushing his head into his opponent's face.
Du dropped theatrically to the floor, while Reath was handed an unsportsmanlike foul.
The Boomers had 13 of 14 players on the scoresheet - Mills was the only absentee - and eight landed shots from long-range.
Liao was China's best performer with a game-high 26 points on 11-of-16 shooting.
The teams meet again in Melbourne on Thursday night.
Earlier at John Cain Arena, the Rollers beat Japan 59-52 in the men's wheelchair contest, while Australia's men's and women's 3x3 teams had wins over China.
The Gliders were beaten by Japan 45-38 in their women's wheelchair match-up.
