On Tuesday the long wait comes to an end, with Holmes and Ingles to depart Melbourne for the first official Boomers camp of the year.

While Ingles has already been named to the 17-man national squad, he heads to next week’s try-out and development camp in a bid to gain an extra edge in the lead-up to the final team selection.

For Ingles, the four-day camp at the Australian Institute of Sport is his first official Boomers commitment, and one that may prove the start to a lengthy association with the national squad.

But the prospect is one made easier in the knowledge that South Dragons teammate Jacob Holmes will be right by his side.

“I leave next Tuesday for my first official Boomers camp and I'm extremely pumped,” Ingles said this week.

“Jacob and I have been training for about 11 weeks now to prepare for it and we both know we are in great shape.

“It will be good to have Jacob there as he has been involved before and I can ask him as many questions as I want.”

Ingles and Holmes will join a host of NBL stars including Ian Crosswhite (Sydney Kings), Luke Kendall (Sydney Kings), Julian Khazzouh (West Sydney Razorbacks) and Larry Davidson (Singapore Slingers) at the development camp.

And as the clock ticks down to Tuesday, Ingles will this week spend time with family in a bid to take his mind off the week ahead.

He will today be joined by relatives from Adelaide, in town to keep the young star in check.

“I haven’t seen (the family) for a while and it will be good to take my mind off the Boomers camp for a few days,” he said.

Don’t miss the latest chapter in Ingles’ on-line diary, updated every Tuesday at www.southdragons.com. Read the latest entry HERE.

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