The 2025–26 NBA season opens with a record number of Australians across rosters.

It's a reflection of how far the country's basketball pipeline has come, producing players who contribute in every role imaginable.

Here's how the 13 Aussies in the NBA stack up heading into the new season, based on form, opportunity, and long-term upside.

9Joe Ingles

Minnesota Timberwolves

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At 38, Joe Ingles has long moved beyond chasing minutes and statistics; his value now lies in everything that happens off the box score.

Entering his 12th NBA season and second with Minnesota, the veteran forward has fully embraced his role as a mentor and steadying voice in a locker room filled with rising talent. While he appeared in just 19 games last season, the Timberwolves re-signed him for exactly what he brings behind the scenes: leadership, calm, and a rare sense of perspective.

Ingles has become a de facto assistant coach, guiding players like Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and rookie Rocco Zikarsky through the nuances of the game and life in the NBA.

His willingness to adapt, to teach rather than play, has made him one of the most respected figures on the roster.

For a Timberwolves team with championship ambitions, Ingles' presence provides something every contender needs: experience, composure, and a voice that players actually listen to.