The 20-year-old Canberran achieved his goal of selection in the NBA draft in New York yesterday, but as one of the last of 60 players picked, he missed out on the guaranteed contract and the million-dollar-a-year salary that would have come with it.

Mills went to the Portland Trail Blazers at No55, while three other Australians Joe Ingles, Luke Nevill and Aron Baynes missed out all together.

While he admitted things ''didn't go as to plan'', Mills was optimistic he could use his spot in the Trail Blazers' extended squad to force his way on to their NBA roster.

''Coming into this draft I didn't think June 25 was the important date,'' Mills said.

''What was important was the first day of practice with the team where I'd have to step my game up and prove that I belong on the team.''

Mills had a firm belief going into the draft that he would be a first-round or early second-round selection.

He forfeited the final two years at St Mary's College to keep his name in the draft.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times