The Australian men's basketball team will take on world powers China, Lithuania and New Zealand in an international tournament to be played in Perth and Sydney in August.
The four-nation tournament announced by Basketball Australia will become an annual event hosted by both Australia and China alternately.
A four-year agreement signed with China ensures four annual tournaments between Australia, China and two other invited nations, Basketball Australia chief executive Scott Derwin said.
The 2005 tournament starts on August 9 and 10 at the Challenge Stadium in Perth and concludes at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on August 12 and 14.
Tournament organisers hope the event will boast two NBA players in Australia's Andrew Bogut - expected to be first or second choice in next week's NBA draft - and China's Yao Ming.
While the two players have not confirmed their attendance at the tournament, the event has been scheduled to allow for them both to make the trip to Australia.
"I'd love to go up against Yao in front of a home crowd and its sure to be a sight no basketball fan would want to miss," said Australian star Matt Nielsen.
