Boomer Ingles links with NBA's Clippers
Sep 16, 2014 - 6:32 PM Star Boomers small forward Joe Ingles has reportedly sealed a deal to join NBA franchise the Los Angeles Clippers.Boasting the elite talent of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, the Clippers are amongst the leading contenders in the NBA's western conference and won the Pacific division before falling in the conference finals to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Ingles has been on NBA radars for several years and spurned interest from several teams, including the Philadelphia 76ers who are coached by former Boomers' mentor Brett Brown, to join the Clippers on a one-year deal which is expected to be announced this week, according to ESPN.
The 26-year-old caught the eye of scouts during a breakout tournament at the 2012 London Olympics, where he averaged 11.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists, and again impressed at the recent World Cup in Spain, where his deadeye shooting helped the Boomers to an upset of world No.4 Lithuania.
Ingles, who knocked back a chance to join the Memphis Grizzlies last year, has been plying his trade for European heavyweights Barcelona and Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he won a Euroleague championship this season, with the natural progression now to follow his dream to the NBA.
"I'm 99 per cent sure I'll be (in the NBA)," Ingles told News Ltd on Tuesday, before reports of his signing surfaced.
"I won't be on a guaranteed contract and will be trying to make the team. But that in itself is motivation for me to go in and work.
"I'm excited. The situation I'm going to is a team which has followed me.
"I've spoken with general managers and coaches in the last few days."
Once the deal is confirmed, Ingles would become the eighth Australian in line to play NBA basketball in the coming season.
Former No.1 pick Andrew Bogut plays for the Clippers' Pacific division rivals the Golden State Warriors, while livewire guard Patty Mills recently re-signed with the championship-winning San Antonio Spurs.
Boomers big man Aron Baynes remains unsigned by the Spurs, but following an impressive World Cup appears likely to land on another team if he is not retained.
Fellow western conference team the Utah Jazz also have an Australian flavour, with highly-rated No.5 draft pick Dante Exum and fellow Boomer Brock Motum joining this season.
On the east coast, Matthew Dellavedova will be in his second season with Cleveland, where he will play alongside superstar LeBron James, while Cameron Bairstow will suit up for Chicago.
Source: AAP
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