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As part of the preseason games in October, three NBA teams are slated to host Australian NBL opponents and will compete against them in exhibition games, according to the Associated Press.
The Utah Jazz, who have Aussies Dante Exum and Joe Ingles in their lineup, will take on the Sydney Kings on October 2 inside the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City. The next matchup will be between the Oklahoma City Thunder against Melbourne United in Chesapeake Energy Arena on October 8, while the Phoenix Suns will welcome the Brisbane Bullets to the Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 13.
The series of friendly matches will benefit all participating teams, as it will prepare them for next season, and also give them the opportunity to go up against different styles of basketball. It will also be the first time club teams from down under will be playing against NBA teams in the U.S.
Australia has become one of the hot-beds for international talents outside the U.S. and Europe. Last season, a total of eight players from the country played in the NBA — the highest in league history. The preseason games will also be the chance for their players to showcase their talents on a bigger stage, and may impress some scouts who will be watching the games live. There may be more talent yet to tapped from down under, and these exhibition friendlies could serve as an audition for the aspiring Australians.
