The Utah Jazz added two new additions to its growing family this week with small forward Joe Ingles and his wife Renae welcoming twins into the world. Ingles couldn't contain his joy and love for his growing family saying it's been, "easily the best 48 hours of my life. I leave today comfortably knowing my wife and twins are healthy and supported. Time to begin this Olympic campaign with my boys!"
The timing of the birth has now enabled Ingles to join his Australian Boomer teammates, who had already left for Argentina last week for preliminary warm-up games. Initially, Ingles was concerned he might miss the birth of his children because they were due around the opening of the Rio Olympics. Fortunately for the new mom and dad, babies Jacob Antony and Milla Bernadette were born in Melbourne with plenty of time to spare.
"You want to be the first one to meet your children and I knew there was a chance that might not happen and I was prepared for that either way,” Ingles told Nine News Australia at Sydney airport before he boarded his flight to meet his Aussie teammates.” Very glad it worked out well.
"It was hard to leave this morning to be honest. I thought it would be easier than it was but I've got to do what I've got to do.”
Ingles will now aim to bring home a special keepsake for his children. His team hopes to achieve what no other Australian team has done before them by bringing home an Olympic medal.
Ingles joins the growing twins club here at the Jazz. Teammate Derrick Favors is also a father to twin girls, while Gordon Hayward and Dante Exum also have twin siblings.
Nine News Australia managed to catch up with Ingles before he flew out: