Joe Ingles’ connection to Magic runs deeper than basketball — its personal
When Joe Ingles was making a decision about where to sign in free agency this past summer, there was more than just basketball and money on his mind.
Ingles, who spent the first eight years of his career with the Jazz and last season with the Bucks, also was considering where he would feel comfortable sending his 7-year-old son, Jacob, to school.
It was a major decision for Joe and his wife Renae Ingles because Jacob is autistic and not every major city has the proper resources and facilities for children who fall on the autism spectrum.
“That’s probably the biggest part of that learning curve is that there’s not many options for kids,” Ingles said. “For us, there was always the knowledge of Orlando and the school that was here. I’d always tell my agent if the Magic ever came to the table it would be a very strong consideration.
“Obviously there’s a lot of other positives from the basketball side, but for me at the point in my career and life where I am at, a huge part of it is my family.”
Parents of an autistic son, the Ingles family have been very involved in creating awareness and larger opportunities within communities for those with special needs.
It’s why on Tuesday they joined the Magic and KultureCity to host the “Magic of Inclusion Luncheon” at Kia Center. As part of the Magic’s continued commitment to inclusion, the purpose of the luncheon was to advance access and equity for individuals with invisible disabilities.
Renae Ingles described the support for their cause as a reflection of the franchise.
“It’s family first, basketball second,” she said. “That really reflects both on and off the court and in the people that are here in this organization. We’ve been welcomed with open arms since the very first day we landed here.”
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KultureCity is a nonprofit startup with the mission to rethink accessibility to create acceptance and inclusion for individuals of all unique abilities. The Magic forward and his wife serve on the organization’s board.
Even before Ingles arrived in Orlando, the franchise had worked with KultureCity. In 2017, the company designed a sensory room inside the Magic’s home arena that promotes a positive and accommodating experience for all fans and guests with sensory sensitivities who attend events there.
Being new to the city, however, the Ingles have worked hard behind the scenes to drive awareness and access for individuals with invisible disabilities, such as their son Jacob.
Tuesday’s luncheon was the latest push.
“That’s the hard part,” Joe said. “You try to introduce yourself and obviously a big part of why we’re here is the Magic. That’s people who look at me and think straight away. I’m very thankful for that, but there’s another whole side to my journey and my life which is a lot more important than a game of basketball.
“Basketball is going to be done for me sooner than later and I’m going to have Jacob and what he’s gone through for the rest of my life.”
Banchero joins Paris pool
Magic forward Paolo Banchero was among 41 athletes selected to be part of the player pool of which the 2024 USA Basketball Men’s National Team will be chosen from for the Paris Olympics this summer, it was announced Tuesday.
LeBron James (Lakers), Kevin Durant (Suns), Jayson Tatum (Celtics) and Damian Lillard (Bucks) also are in the pool.
Of the 41 players, Banchero is one 28 who have represented the USA in the Olympics and/or FIBA Men’s World Cup. He joined the group last summer for the first time during the FIBA World Cup in Manila, Philippines.
USA Basketball Men’s National Team managing director Grant Hill was a big factor in recruiting Banchero to play for Team USA instead of the Italy, where the Magic star has dual citizenship.
The 12-member 2024 USA Men’s National Team will be announced at a later date following the NBA season.
Email Jason Beede at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on X, known as Twitter, at @therealBeede.
