Ingles to sit out this summer for Boomers

Aussie Star Joe Ingles will be rested this summer and will not compete for Australia in international competition following a mutual agreement made between Jazz and Boomers management.

According to a statement released by Basketball Australia, Boomers Head Coach Andrej Lemanis, Basketball Australia’s General Manager of High Performance and National Teams Chuck Harmison and the Utah Jazz were consulted, resulting in a unanimous decision being made to rest Ingles this offseason.

The following statements were released according to Basketball Australia:

“I take great pride in representing my country in international competition, and for that reason, this decision was very difficult for me. Everyone associated with the Boomers – the coaches, my teammates, and the support staff – have been integral in my development as a basketball player and as a person.

“I believe that a summer of rest is the best thing for my basketball career and will also ensure that I am in peak condition to fully dedicate myself to my team and country as we pursue a medal at the Rio Olympics,” Ingles said.

Lemanis expressed his support of Ingles’ decision by stating: “I know how much Joe loves playing for Australia and that missing a campaign with us is very difficult for him to accept – he has been a stalwart of the program over the past seven years.

“However, it is important for us as a sport to work with the athletes to ensure longevity and peak performance, not only for the National Team, but also for their careers.

“Our goal as a team is to medal at the Rio Olympics and deliver to Australia a first ever men’s medal at a benchmark event. As an entire team we believe that Joe taking this time off from on court duties with the National team will best position us for the success we seek at the Olympics.

“I look forward to Joe’s continued contribution to the team this year through his commitment to communication with the group during the year and through his off court involvement in our preparation. I know he will be bursting to again pull on the green and gold in 2016.”

The decision indicates that the Jazz will likely have Ingles return as a part of the roster next season.

Joe Ingles has starred for the Boomers, competing in every national competition for Australia since the 2008 Olympics. A key part of the Boomers rotation, Joe Ingles has averaged over 10 points in international competition, shooting over 50per cent from the field in just under 30 minutes a game.

In Australia’s most recent international play at the FIBA World Cup, Ingles averaged more minutes than any other Boomer, tallying the third most points among his compatriots.

It is yet to be announced whether any other high profile Boomer players will also elect to rest over the NBA off-season.

The Boomers face New Zealand in mid-August in a Rio 2016 Olympic qualifying game, taking place in Melbourne.