Joe Ingles was a largely unknown face among the Los Angeles Clippers' stable of stars, but the forward from Happy Valley in South Australia could not wipe the smile off his face.
Ingles made his public debut for the Clippers in LA on Monday at the team's media day.
"I'm very lucky to be in this situation and will take it with both hands," Ingles told reporters.
The 203cm tall, 26-year-old forward is the latest Australian to break into the NBA, the world's elite basketball league.
The Clippers, riding high after the exit of controversy-plagued owner Donald Sterling and former Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer spending a record $US2 billion ($A2.16 billion) to buy the club, are expected to be one of the top team's in the NBA's Western Conference.
The Clippers signed Ingles after his strong performances for the Boomers at the recent World Cup in Spain.
Ingles also impressed playing the past four years in Europe, most recently as a member of Euroleague champions Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv.
The Clippers are loaded with talent for the 2014-15 NBA season, led by All-Stars point guard Chris Paul and high-flying forward Blake Griffin.
Ingles may struggle for court time, but says he won't alter his unselfish playing style.
"I'm here to spread the floor a bit," Ingles said.
"They like my playmaking, getting others involved.
"I've always been a pass first guy and probably that has hurt my career in other jobs, but I'm not going to change the way I play."
The Clippers begin a five-day training camp in Las Vegas on Tuesday and Ingles will see a familiar face when the Clippers host fellow Australian Andrew Bogut and his Golden State Warriors in their first pre-season game in LA on October 7.
Other Australians in the NBA are Patty Mills and Aron Baynes (San Antonio Spurs); Dante Exum and Brock Motum (Utah Jazz); Matthew Dellavedova (Cleveland Cavaliers); Cameron Bairstow (Chicago Bulls).
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