Australian basketball great Joe Ingles insists he can have an impact on court and through his leadership after signing a two-year contract to join Melbourne United.
The veteran 203 centimetre small forward and five-time Olympian called time on his stellar 12-year NBA career after the Minnesota Timberwolves were eliminated from the play-offs at the weekend, and has now confirmed the strong speculation buzzing through the NBL over the past fortnight that he would join United.
The Adelaide 36ers and South East Melbourne Phoenix were also in contention for his signature, but Ingles, 38, said United – on the hunt for a new coach – was the right fit.
“From a basketball perspective, this opportunity really excited me. I still love competing, I still love the game, and I believe I can genuinely help this group win,” he said.
“I’ve always loved playing in team-first environments built on toughness, connection and doing the little things well, and I think Melbourne United represents all of that.
“At this stage of my career, it’s not about individual achievements. It’s about impact, leadership, helping a group come together and chasing something meaningful.
“I’ve watched the culture Melbourne United has built over a long period of time and that was a huge part of the attraction for me. There’s a standard and professionalism there that really aligns with who I am.
“I’m excited to get to work, earn the respect of the group, connect with the fans and, hopefully, help bring another championship to Melbourne.”
Ingles has managed only 267 minutes through the regular season over the past two NBA seasons where he was a senior hand in stabilising a highly charged locker room, but he leaves the league ranked in the top five for points, assists, rebounds, steals and three-pointers among all Australians.
Through his NBA career, he was regularly among the league’s best three-point shooters, averaging 40.9 per cent from beyond the arc. His best season was in 2018-19 when he averaged 12.1 points, four rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game for the Utah Jazz.
It was long mooted that Ingles had a preference to end his professional career in Melbourne, with family and friends an important factor for his wife Renae and their three children.
Ingles began his career in the NBL with the now defunct South Dragons, winning the title in 2009, before embarking on a grand career, which has also featured a Euroleague championship, league and cup championship victories in Spain and Israel, and eight separate NBA play-off campaigns.
“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. So much has happened since then, but Melbourne has always felt like home.
“We’re really excited to reconnect with the community here, and to be closer to family and friends again. After so many years overseas, that part means a lot to us.”
Ingles has also represented the Boomers at the FIBA World Cup four times, and could eye a fifth, with next year’s tournament to he held in Qatar, where new coach Adam Caporn will lead the team.
Chris Goulding, United’s captain and one of the league’s greatest ever marksmen, said Ingles, who can also act as a playmaker, would be an ideal fit for a side determined to rebound from finishing fifth last season.
“I think Joe will be a great addition to the team,” Goulding, who played alongside Ingles in the bronze-medal winning team at the Tokyo Olympics, said.
“His decision-making, leadership and shooting abilities make him a great teammate and someone that everyone will love to play with.”
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Jon Pierik is a sports journalist at The Age. He covers AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect via X or email.
