Nathan Sobey's world is about to turn upside down for the better.
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The Australian basketballer is preparing for two major life events - representing the Boomers at the FIBA World Cup and the impending arrival of his first child.
Sobey, 29, and wife CC, who have been together eight years after meeting at college in the United States, expect to welcome their bundle of joy in the coming days.
Family will play an important role for the couple during a whirlwind period.
The Warrnambool born-and-bred Sobey is settling into life in Brisbane but basketball will take him to Perth, Melbourne and China in the next four weeks.
His mum Kerrie is spending time in Queensland as support for CC. Her mum Charlotte will arrive from America on Sunday.
"I have some great support systems with that sort of thing," Sobey told The Standard.
"My mum being up here helps and having my family back home checking in all the time."
Australia has warm-up games against Canada in Perth on August 16-17 and against the United States in Melbourne on August 22 and 24.
The Boomers fly to China on August 26 and play their first world cup game on September 1.
"A couple of guys at the Boomers have been in similar situations before (with baby due dates) so to sit down with them and talk about it makes it a lot easier," Sobey said.
"CC is really the one who has to deal with everything; I don't really have to do too much."
Sobey said he was "super excited" to become a dad.
"I can't wait for it to all happen," he said.
Sobey grew up in Warrnambool with mum Kerrie, dad Peter and brothers Josh and Jacob.
They've followed his journey which started with his home town's Big V side, the Seahawks, and took him to college in America and all around Australia with NBL clubs Cairns Taipans, Adelaide 36ers and Brisbane Bullets. They also provided comfort when he was overlooked for Vic Country squads as a teenager.
"My family have been so good with everything since I've been a little kid in juniors, taking me to all the stuff," he said.
"It makes these things (getting picked for Australia) so much more worthwhile when they get to see that sort of reward.
"It's not just me who gets recognised, it's them and all my coaches who all play a big part in the process.
"I probably don't thank them enough because I am so caught up in the process but I definitely do think about all those sort of things for sure."
The athletic, slam-dunking point guard featured in the Boomers' world cup qualifiers, including their now infamous basket-brawl against the Philippines.
He was also part of their Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning performance on the Gold Coast last year.
Australia announced its 12-player world cup roster on Wednesday. Sobey rated it one of the highlights of his career.
"It felt great and I am super excited to be on the team for the world cup," he said.
"Getting to represent Australia, it never gets old. It is literally one of the best feelings and I can't wait to throw the green and gold on again.
"Winning the gold (at the Commonwealth Games) was big but this is right up there with that so far but it's only the beginning.
"Hopefully we can make it an even more special campaign, we'll see how we go."
The Australian roster features his new Brisbane teammate Cameron Gliddon and fellow NBL-listed players Andrew Bogut (Sydney Kings), Nick Kay (Perth Wildcats) and Melbourne United's Chris Goulding.
NBA-listed Matthew Dellavedova (Milwaukee Bucks), Patty Mills (San Antonio Spurs), Aron Baynes (Phoenix Suns), Joe Ingles (Utah Jazz) and Jonah Bolden (Philadelphia 76ers) will play crucial roles as will European-based Jock Landale and Xavier Cooks.
Sobey expects to play a back-up point guard role, complementing Mills and Dellavedova. He can also slot in as a shooting guard.
His home state will get the chance to watch him against the USA at Marvel Stadium later this month.
"I think it will be awesome. There's not many times you get to play in front of 55,000 people and especially when the majority are going for you which makes it even sweeter," Sobey said.
"I am just super excited about the whole thing.
"For the group, it's big for us. We've got to figure out the style we are going to play and get used to playing with each other a little bit more."
Sobey hopes his experience with French Pro A league side Strasbourg in the NBL off-season and his body of work for his former NBL club Adelaide 36ers will stand him in good stead.
Brisbane is the next stop on his around-the-world adventure. He's signed a three-year deal to play for Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis and his assistants, CJ Bruton and Sam McKinnon, at the Bullets.
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