Basketball On The Internet.

AN important point many seem to have missed today with news Joe Ingles won't play for the Boomers against the Steve Adams-led Tall Blacks in August is the fact he is getting married.

And also, since his selection for Australia seven years ago, he has been one of the first with his hand up to wear the green-and-gold.

"I take great pride in representing my country in international competition, and for that reason, this decision was very difficult for me," Ingles said in a statement released today by BA.

"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.”

The Utah Jazz, where he has been plying his trade this NBA season alongside Dante Exum, were keen for him to take a break and Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis, along with BA's High Performance Manager Chuck Harmison, were in agreement.

It's no small matter either that Jingles will marry fiancee and netball superstar Renae Hallinan on August 29, which also played a role in his decision.

The Boomers will play New Zealand in a two-game series at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena and across the Tasman in mid-ASugust to determine automatic entry into the Rio Games.

The series loser will a second chance through the tougher qualifying route, the Tall Blacks confident Adams, who is making his NBA mark with OIklahoma City Thunder, will participate.

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