Boomers coach Brian Goorjian must choose between Bryce Cotton and Matisse Thybulle for Tokyo Games

Boomers coach Brian Goorjian has a headache given FIBA rules state that every national team can only include one naturalised player.

Boomers coach Brian Goorjian has welcomed Bryce Cotton’s Australian visa approval but says he can only take one naturalised player to the Tokyo Olympics and is yet to decide on the player.

Cotton has moved a step closer to his Australian citizenship dream after the federal government gave his application the green light.

It leaves Goorjian with a headache given FIBA rules state that every national team can only include one naturalised player.

Sydney-raised Philadelphia 76ers guard Matisse Thybulle is also a naturalised player and is ahead of Cotton in the pecking order.

Thybulle has a strong connection with Boomers star Ben Simmons at the 76ers that plays into his hands for squad selection.

Sydney-raised Philadelphia 76ers guard Matisse Thybulle is ahead of Perth star Bryce Cotton in the Australian team pecking order. Picture: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images/AFP

He is also only 23, while Cotton is 28 and not in the Australian squad.

Goorjian has previously said he would consider selecting the Perth Wildcats star in his Boomers squad if Cotton received his Australian citizenship, but it remains unclear if this will happen.

For now, Cotton’s selection in the Boomers squad for the Tokyo Olympics is very much uncertain given the one naturalised player per national team rule.

“We can only take one (naturalised player),” Goorjian said.

“A decision (has) to be made.”

The Boomers have named a 24-man squad for this year’s Tokyo Games starting on July 23, including NBA stars Simmons, Patty Mills, Joe Ingles and Aron Baynes.

Originally published as Boomers coach Brian Goorjian must choose between Bryce Cotton and Matisse Thybulle for Tokyo Games