How 15 minutes delayed 'Boomer Bryce' four years

• ‍Bryce Cotton confirms talks with Adam Caporn as Boomers stance shifts toward LA 2028.‍
• Boomer Bryce: 'People want it more than I do'‍
• 'Got next': Is Bryce Australia's new 'FIBA Patty'?

Six-time NBL MVP guard Bryce Cotton has revealed that a mere 15 minutes spent switching visas during the COVID lockdown reset the shot clock he needed to become an Australian citizen and an Australian Boomer.

Cotton, 33, was unveiled as Australia’s newest Boomer yesterday and said it was: “very surreal for me.”

“Even when I first put the jersey on, I just took a little bit of time to stare at Australia and then see my name on the back.

“It’s been a very long process. Nonetheless finally got here.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity, and I’m excited.”

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The American-born superstar’s pathway to citizenship was delayed because of the 15 minutes it took to switch his likely Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa to a permanent residency visa. To qualify for citizenship, four years of “lawful” residency are required.

“I guess long story short, when I got permanent residency, it was during the COVID times, and I wasn’t able to leave the country,” Cotton said.

“When I got permanent residency, being detained in that room while they switched over my special visa to being a permanent resident, they said I was unlawfully in the country for 15 minutes, so it restarted my whole process.

“This was back in 2021, so somewhere around that time frame, this should have or could have happened, and it didn’t, so that’s kind of what restarted everything.

“Like I said, I didn’t think it would get here, and it was a cool opportunity that I had never thought of when I first came to Australia, and then it was a nice idea to entertain when it seemed like it could be real.

“When they started the process over, I kind of just let go and then, to my surprise, not too long after I came here to Adelaide, I ended up getting citizenship.

“So it was a crazy turnaround, but again we’re here.”

Importantly, “unlawfully in the country” in this context does not mean criminal conduct or deportation risk. It simply refers to a technical migration status gap in the Department of Home Affairs system.

Australia’s citizenship rules are highly procedural, and eligibility dates are often calculated to the exact day and time.

But in reality, those 15 minutes potentially cost Cotton a spot on the Boomers roster for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Chicago Bulls star and Boomers starting point guard Josh Giddey told nine.com.au last month Cotton would be an invaluable piece to Australia’s pursuit of its first gold medal (or silver.

“Bryce being there would be right at the top of the list for guys I'd want in the green and gold. He's the kind of player that can really give us a different look,” Giddey told Wide World of Sports.

“If you look across the board at the guys we've got, we don't really have someone like Bryce who can be that offensive punch. He'd be awesome for us to have.

“If there's a chance he can play for the Boomers at the World Cup or the Olympics or whatever it is, we'd welcome him with open arms. He'd be unbelievable to have.”

In a wonderful twist of fate, Cotton will play his first game as a Boomer at RAC Arena in Perth, where he led the Wildcats to three NBL championships (2017, 2019, and 2020) and eight scoring titles.

“And of all places where I can play my first game as a Boomer, it’s Perth, so very ironic,” Cotton said.

“Funny how fate turns out sometimes, but definitely looking forward to it.

“This is a huge moment for me and my family and it’ll be nice to be back in Perth, and all the Perth fans can definitely cheer for me because I’m not playing against the ‘Cats, so that’ll be pretty cool.”

Yesterday, Cotton stood alongside Boomers associate head coach Dean Vickerman. Cotton was wearing his No. 11 Boomers jersey – the pride was evident.

“It feels just more real now,” he said.

“It’s been a long time coming, but even to think about the games coming up, it’s a month, I guess and some change away, so it’s not that far away now, but this is more than enough time for me to finally process.”

Vickerman was blunt when asked if Cotton was now a candidate for the 2027 FIBA Men’s World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

“I wouldn’t be standing here if I didn’t think that,” the former Melbourne United head coach said.

“Obviously, only one naturalised player can be on the roster, and Matisse Thybulle and potentially others will be contesting for the spot.

“But for the body of work Bryce has done – and competing against him – one of the fun parts of the Boomers is that you see people from afar, but then you get to work with them day to day and see their greatness as well.

“I look forward to being with him in Perth.”

Cotton was equally pragmatic about both tournaments.

“I gotta make the team first,” he declared.

“I’d just be happy to be a part of that, and again, it’s a huge honour for a country to even entertain the idea of them wanting you to represent their country and you’re not from there.”

The Boomers play Guam on July 3, 2026 and the Philippines on July 6.

In an exclusive interview with Jason Cadee on Cut to the Jase in March, Cotton revealed he had spoken to Boomers head coach Adam Capon.

“I spoke to Caporn at the beginning of the season, right when I got citizenship,” Cotton told Jason Cadee on Cut to the Jase.

“I’d imagine that by the time the NBA season is done, we’ll probably touch base again.

“But yeah, I’ve spoken to him.”

“I’m human, and I’ve bounced around a lot of different emotions.

“I talked to some people back home, a couple of close friends, and as an American growing up, the Olympics were never really something I thought about.

“If you’re going to play in the Olympics as an American, not only do you have to make the NBA, you have to be in the top one per cent of players in the NBA as well. So it was never a thought.

“But to have an opportunity to play against the world’s best and see the world’s best in every sport, once I got citizenship, people kind of ingrained that in my mind over and over again.

“They talked me into the idea that if the opportunity does come up, maybe I should go after it, because that would probably be the one thing left missing on my résumé.

“It would just be a blessing that I never, ever expected. To become an Olympian would be insane.

“So I’m more open to it now than I had said in the last year or two.”

Between the Olympic Games in 2028, there’s a World Cup in 2027. The Boomers need a bona fide scorer to provide the same clutch shot-making as “FIBA Patty”.

Whether Mills will be in Los Angeles is uncertain, but if Cotton is healthy no doubt he should be.