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Utah Jazz: Joe Ingles joining Boomers for 2019 FIBA World Cup

Ryan Aston|
(L-R) Australia's shooting guard Chris Goulding, Australia's forward Aron Baynes, Australia's small forward Joe Ingles, Australia's guard Matthew Dellavedova and Australia's centre David Andersen talk during a Men's Bronze medal basketball match between Australia and Spain at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 21, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. / AFP / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
(L-R) Australia's shooting guard Chris Goulding, Australia's forward Aron Baynes, Australia's small forward Joe Ingles, Australia's guard Matthew Dellavedova and Australia's centre David Andersen talk during a Men's Bronze medal basketball match between Australia and Spain at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 21, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. / AFP / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)

Utah Jazz F Joe Ingles will take the court with the Australian national team at the FIBA World Cup in China this summer.

With the Utah Jazz boasting one of the Association’s most international roster in recent years, FIBA events have been an important facet of the team’s offseason. This summer should be no different; in August and September, 32 teams will descend upon eight cities in China to vie for gold at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

One Jazzman is already slated to re-join his national team in support of that goal, per reports.

Joe Ingles, who helped the Jazz win 50 games in 2018-19 while averaging a career-high 12.1 points per contest, will reportedly take the court with the Aussie Boomers, who are coming off a first-place finish in the FIBA Asia Cup two years ago.

The Athletic’s Tony Jones was the first to report on Ingles’ participation.

Ingles’ last taste of major, international action with the Boomers came during the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Over eight games, the 31-year-old put up eight points, three boards and three assists in 27 minutes per contest. Australia finished fourth in the tournament.

As usual, the Aussies figure to be a team to watch during the upcoming tourney given their roster, which is rich with NBA-level talent. Headlining the lot, 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year Ben Simmons confirmed his own participation earlier this week.

It’s a good thing, too — in addition to the World Cup championship being up for grabs, the results in this tournament will go towards securing a spot in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

One player who probably won’t be making the trip is Jazz guard Dante Exum. According to Roy Ward of The Age in Melbourne, he’s unlikely to play due injury. Exum suffered a torn patellar tendon in his right knee during the back half of the Jazz’s season.

Ahead of World Cup play, Ingles and the Aussies will go toe-to-toe with USA Basketball in a two-game exhibition series on August 22 and 24. The World Cup itself will run from August 31 to September 15.

Stay tuned to The J-Notes for more on the 2019 FIBA World Cup and potential Jazz participants as information becomes available.

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