Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Yes, more Australians are coming to play basketball in Vivint Arena this upcoming season. But this time, they'll be playing against the home team.
The Sydney Kings are playing a preseason matchup against the Utah Jazz on Oct. 2 in Salt Lake City, the Daily Telegraph reported Monday. That means Australians Joe Ingles and Dante Exum will play against their Australian national team teammates Kevin Lisch and Brad Newley.
The game is one of three contests that will be played in the states pitting teams from Australia's National Basketball League against teams from the NBA. Melbourne United will play the Oklahoma City Thunder, meanwhile, the Brisbane Bullets will face the Phoenix Suns.
“This is massive for Australian basketball and an exciting opportunity for NBA and NBL players to compete together on the same floor,” said Ingles in a release. “As an Aussie who began my career in the NBL and now entering my fourth season with Utah, I am very proud of the growth of the game in my home country and can’t wait for the Jazz and Salt Lake City to play host to Sydney this fall.”
The contest will be the first basketball game played at Vivint Arena after the renovation.
