Feb 4, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (right) talks with Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) prior to their game at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

For the better part of the last decade, Utah Jazz swingman Joe Ingles has been a fixture on the Australian national team. However, when the Boomers take on New Zealand in the 23rd FIBA Oceanian Basketball Championship in August, they will have to do so without his services.

In an article by Boti Nagy, Ingles discusses his withdrawal from international competition this summer. In the piece, the 27-year-old cites injury and the physical wear and tear of an NBA season as the catalysts behind his decision.

According to Ingles, fluid was drained from his knee several times throughout the year. His back was also an issue. After failing to stick with the Los Angeles Clippers following the preseason, Ingles landed with Utah and logged a surprising 1673 minutes in 79 games.

Ingles’ decision to skip the two-game set, which serves as the qualifier for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, was not made lightly. Australian coach Andrej Lemanis, the national team’s doctors, Jazz medical personal and his fiancée—netballer Renae Hallinan—were all consulted in the process.

Given the expected participation of NBA players like Andrew Bogut, Patty Mills, Aron Baynes, Matthew Dellavedova and Jazz teammate Dante Exum, it’s an unfortunate turn of events Ingles. He had even gone so far as to schedule his upcoming nuptials around the event:

“Seeing what Andrew Bogut has done this year, I would love to have played with him and especially with Patty back playing now, because we’re good mates.” Ingles said. “Going into the year, I’d planned on playing and Renae and I even planned our wedding date for after the series.”

Ingles previously played for Australia in the Olympics in 2008 and 2012, as well as last year’s FIBA World Cup and the 2010 World Championship. He has consistently been a key cog to the Boomer machine.

Ingles became an important part of the Jazz rotation following Alec Burks‘ season-ending shoulder injury and Rodney Hoods‘ bout with plantar fasciitis. He will be a free agent this offseason.

Hopefully Ingles can get the rest he needs to fully recover for the 2015-16 season and find his way back into a Jazz uniform for the campaign.