Patty Mills: Australia's Beacon of Hope in Paris Olympics Basketball Showdown

Patty Mills, one of Australia's most decorated basketball players, gears up for his fourth and likely final Olympics in Paris. At 35, Mills brings experience and leadership to a talented Australian squad aiming to advance from a tough group and vie for another Olympic medal.

Patty Mills continued shooting even after Australia's two-hour practice ended at a nearby training facility, gearing up for their Paris Olympics opener against Spain this Saturday. 'OK, I'm good,' Mills said after nailing one last corner 3-pointer.

Now 35 and heading into his fourth Olympics, Mills has been instrumental in Australia's basketball history, playing a key role in securing their first Olympic medal in Tokyo 2021. As he preps for potentially his final Games, Mills understands the tough competition they face this year.

The Paris Games reflect the late NBA commissioner David Stern's vision of globalizing the NBA, with 27 of 30 US league teams having players on the 12 Olympic teams. Mills, a former NBA champion, spearheads a squad featuring nine current or former NBA players. Alongside him are notable names like Josh Giddey and Joe Ingles. They face a challenging Group A, dubbed the 'group of death,' including formidable teams from Canada, Greece, and Spain.

This year's competition is the deepest Australian coach Brian Goorjian has seen, with international parity rising steadily. Mills remains Australia's not-so-secret weapon, with international averages far exceeding his NBA stats. "I take a lot of pride in playing for my country," said Mills.

Australia's recent exhibition victories, including a win over Olympic contender Serbia, bolster Mills' optimism for a deep tournament run. 'Our team's unity both on and off the court is something special,' Mills added.

(With inputs from agencies.)