PORTLAND (NBA) - Australia's lightning-quick point guard Pat Mills will be one of his country's leading players at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey.

For now, the young Boomers star is focused on making his mark in the United States after agreeing to a two-year contract with the Portland Trail Blazers.

"This is amazing, it's such a good feeling,'' said Mills, who beat out Nigeria international Ime Udoka and Jarron Collins for the 15th and final place in the squad.

"It feels like I finally got the gorilla off my back.”

Mills decided to turn professional, despite having eligibility remaining at St Mary’s College in California, and was selected by Portland with the 55th pick in the NBA Draft this summer.

He fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot during an NBA Summer League practice on July 9 and had surgery four days later.

Mills had already signed a one-year non-guaranteed contract but could have been waived before next week’s season-opener so the two-year contract has brought a sense of relief.

"It was a massive gorilla and there were times when I thought I wasn't going to make it, but finally I've got rid of it and now I just want to be part of the team," he said.

Mills is continuing his rehabilitation and could end up starting the season with Portland's NBDL team, the Idaho Stampede.

The 2009-10 NBA campaign tips off next weekend.

FIBA