BASKETBALL: Belief is at an all-time high among Australia’s men’s basketballers.

NBA stars Patty Mills and Andrew Bogut have won NBA titles in back-to-back years, Matthew Dellavedova inspired many with his tenacious play in the 2015 NBA Finals and more and more Aussies are getting the chance to test their wares in the NBA.

Now with one year to go until the Rio 2016 Games kick off, Joe Ingles – a dual Olympian and an NBA star himself - is confident the side can break their 60-year-medal drought in the sport.

“I think a medal is a realistic goal for Rio,” said the Utah Jazz small forward.

“I think the group that we’ve got is probably the most exciting we’ve had for a few years now.

“Throwing Bogut in there, who hasn’t been in the team since 2008, makes a pretty big difference. It’s going to be exciting.”

With seven players now playing in the NBA and Ben Simmons touted as 2016’s number one draft pick, Australia’s elite are pushing themselves to new limits.

“We are going to have to play against the best at the Olympic Games and now we get to play against the best on a daily basis.

“I remembered when I first started playing for the national team in 2008 there were 90% of the guys playing in the NBL and one or two guys playing overseas and now it is the other way around.

“I think it is a credit to the guys for being able to get into world class competitions and play.

“The best thing is that we are all playing in high level leagues and I think that is going to help us for Rio.”

First item on the agenda for the side is the 2015 Oceania Championships where the Aussies will look to qualify for their twelfth consecutive Games.

“The guys have been playing well on their European tour (against Lithuania and Slovenia).

“I’m confident they’ll get the job done against New Zealand and then our focus will turn to preparing for Rio.”

Despite having his first break from the national team since 2007, Ingles will likely be one of the first picked for the team for the 2016 competition and will be hoping another amazing Olympic Games experience is just around the corner.

“The difference between London and Beijing was night and day.

“Beijing was great for me being the first one and being in awe of being there.

“I got to go to London and have a bigger role and play well before we unluckily had to crossover and play the US in the quarter-finals.

“It was a great experience and I’m now really looking forward to Rio.”

Since the London Games Ingles went from Barcelona to Israel before landing in the NBA where he recently signed a new two year deal with the Jazz.

But despite getting the opportunity to line up in one of the world’s most prestigious sporting leagues, Ingles believes there is no higher honour than wearing the green and gold for Australia.

“It’s super exciting to think of getting to a third Olympic Games.

“Growing up you dream of playing for your country and to have gone to two and hopefully another Olympic Games is an absolute dream come true.”

Unfortunately one player whose dream may have to wait is Ingles Jazz teammate Dante Exum who is believed to have suffered a serious injury while playing for Australia in Europe.

“We haven’t found out exactly what it is but we are definitely hoping for the best.

“He is holding out hope that it’s not as bad as what it could be, but he is also realistic of what might be ahead for him.

“It’s definitely not what you want to hear for anyone let alone a player I play with on the Jazz and the Australian team.”

The Australians take on New Zealand in the two-leg 2015 Oceania Championships that will double as the qualifiers for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The first match will take in place in Melbourne on August 15 before the second leg in Wellington on August 18.

Matt Bartolo
olympics.com.au