Orlando Magic's Joe Ingles Is 'Like A Big Brother' to Rookie Jett Howard

Orlando Magic forward Joe Ingles has taken rookie guard Jett Howard under his wing.

ORLANDO - Having good mentors to help rookies find their footing when they first enter the league in any sport can be pivotal to their success. 

For Orlando Magic rookie Jett Howard, that person has been 10th-year forward Joe Ingles. Howard noted how their games have similarities, and how Ingles has been giving him pointers throughout training camp. 

"It's been good so far," Howard said. "I mean, just like I said earlier, dropping gems and knowledge and just like watching Joe Ingles, like we have [a] similar type of games and telling me certain things and I'm picking up on it is helpful, really helpful and hilarious. Like a big brother."

Comparing Howard's and Ingles' skillsets isn't a stretch. Both have shown they're more than capable shooters and can flip a game whenever they get hot from beyond the arc. 

Jett Howard led Michigan with 78 3-pointers made in 2022-23 / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Across his nine seasons in the NBA, Ingles has shot 40.8 percent from three and averaged 128.22 3-pointers made per season. In 2022-23 with the Milwaukee Bucks, Ingles, 36, shot 40.9 percent from three and made 83 shots from beyond the 3-point line. 

Howard was a one-and-done with the Michigan Wolverines. In his lone collegiate season, he led the Wolverines with 78 3-pointers made and shot 36.8 percent from three across 29 games in 2022-23. Howard averaged 14.2 points per game, which was the second-best on the Wolverines.

Howard, 20, was taken by Orlando with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. 

While Howard's ability to shoot will add a much-needed dimension to the Magic's offense, finding playing time in a crowded backcourt won't be easy. He'll have to take minutes from Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, Gary Harris and fellow rookie guard Anthony Black. 

But with someone like Ingles in his ear and showing him the path to success with his skillset, Howard could become a pivotal piece to the Magic's success if he continues to follow the veteran's lead.