How Ingles is Mentoring Giddey Towards NBA Draft

Australian NBA star Joe Ingles has served as a mentor for Adelaide 36ers point guard Josh Giddey, revealing he has been helping the NBL Next Star rise through the basketball ranks.

Giddey has starred over the first two rounds of NBL21, highlighted by a 16 point, 11 rebound and seven assist performance in Adelaide’s double overtime win over the South East Melbourne Phoenix.

ESPN has Giddey ranked 39^th in their 2021 NBA Draft rankings and the 18-year-old is only set to climb those draft boards as the NBL season continues.

Ingles has opened up on how he has played a mentor role for Giddey as he navigates the early days of his professional basketball career.

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“I’ve spoken to Josh a lot over the last couple of years and tried to help him,” Ingles said on the NBL’s The Huddle podcast.

“I texted him after the last game and said hey I’ve got some things for you whenever we can (talk), we are both on busy schedules, and he was like hell yeah I’ll call you after the game.

“I was like no you just won in overtime, relax and enjoy the game.

“The bigs can help, he can help himself, him and Sloan playing together, they can get each other very easy baskets. Over time he will learn and have the confidence…just making those reads and he will continue to get better and better.”

The NBL has become a legitimate pathway for players looking to make the NBA and Giddey is poised to become the next player to make the NBL to NBA jump.

Ingles believes a combination of Giddey’s skillset, the high regard the NBL is held in and the character of Australian basketball players will lead to him being an early selection in the 2021 draft.

“I think first round,” Ingles said when asked where Giddey will get drafted.

“I don’t know where he sits in that and I don’t know enough about the college guys and international guys to say he is the best point guard or the third best point guard or whatever.

“I think what will help him and other guys is LaMelo (Ball) and RJ Hampton what they have done in that league. Going back even further with (Andrew) Bogut, Patty (Mills), Delly (Matthew Dellavedova), guys want Australians on their team.

“First it is about him and what he can bring to the team…you throw that Aussie accent on it too and that does help. Guys love having Australians on their rosters.

“I don’t care if you’re the number one pick or undrafted, guys love having us around, we work hard, we play hard. It brings a very cool vibe to your team.”

Giddey has impressed with his feel for the game at such a young age and Ingles was quick to point out that element has also caught his eye.

“The tempo he plays at. He doesn’t get sped up…his tempo and IQ to me blow off the wall as soon as you watch him play,” Ingles said.

“Kind of like the LaMelo stuff, his kick ahead passes, he wants to pass first. Why wouldn’t any import or Australian want to be on the court with this kid?”

Ingles, who is in his seventh year with the Utah Jazz, has been a major advocate on Twitter for Giddey playing more minutes.

Ingles played in the NBL with the South Dragons when he was just 18 and was a key piece in their rotation, as he played heavy minutes leading to winning the 2007 NBL Rookie of the Year award.  

The 33-year-old says playing Giddey more minutes is the best thing for his development and for the 36ers to win games.

“They’re (Adelaide) not going to have him (Giddey) for long,” Ingles said.

“They’re going to have him for this season and maybe one more but probably not. I feel like you should put all your eggs into one basket.

“I like Conner (Henry), I saw him a lot when he was scouting in the NBA and I would say hi to him and talk to him and I’m happy he got the job.

“I also feel like it’s a conversation you got to have with (Donald) Sloan. He is a veteran and a very good player, had a great career, I feel like it’s a conversation you could easily have. Like you’re still going to play your minutes, but we want to play this kid.

“He deserves to play. I watched that game where he broke his face on the transition dunk. I feel like he needs to be out there. I feel like it’s the best way for him to develop.

“I know Conner’s job is to win games, he is going to get fired if he doesn’t win games, so I get it is a tough game to play but I feel like Josh Giddey wins you games. The more he is out there he is going to help you win games.”