Australian basketball legend Joe Ingles has signed a two-year deal with NBL side Melbourne United, ending his 12-year NBA career. The 38-year-old forward announced the move after his Minnesota Timberwolves were eliminated in the second round of the NBA playoffs.
Ingles, a five-time Olympian and two-time bronze medallist with the Boomers, began his professional career in Melbourne with the now-defunct South Dragons in 2006. He went on to play 810 NBA games, most notably for the Utah Jazz, as well as the Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic.
“Coming home to Melbourne feels incredibly special,” Ingles said. “To return to where my professional career began almost 20 years ago is something I don't take for granted. We're really excited to reconnect with the community here and to be closer to family and friends again.”
Ingles remains one of the most accurate three-point shooters in NBA history, averaging 40.9 per cent from beyond the arc. He also won the Euroleague with Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2014 and an NBL championship with the Dragons in 2009.
Melbourne United finished fifth in the 2025–26 NBL regular season with a 20–13 record before losing to the Perth Wildcats in the playoffs. Fellow Boomers star Chris Goulding welcomed Ingles, saying his leadership and shooting will be a great addition to the team.
