Aussie star Joe Ingles to join Melbourne United following $137m NBA career
Australian NBA star Joe Ingles will return Down Under for the upcoming NBL season, after signing a two-year deal with Melbourne United.
The move signals the end of his 12-year NBA career, where he has become a beloved veteran of the league.
Ingles, 38, spent eight seasons with the Utah Jazz before stints in Milwaukee and Orlando.
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Joe Ingles (left) playing for Minnesota in 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
He then finished his career with two seasons alongside Anthony Edwards at the Minnesota Timberwolves, serving as a veteran leader off the bench. The team was only recently eliminated from the playoffs by the San Antonio Spurs.
Ingles made $137m across his NBA career, sitting only behind Andrew Bogut and Ben Simmons in total Aussie earnings, though Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels will both surpass him when they see out their recently signed extensions.
The 38-year-old now returns to the NBL, where he started his career with the now-defunct South Dragons.
Despite being a native of Adelaide, the South Dragons were a Victorian-based team and Ingles views Melbourne as home.
His signing will give United the chance to pair two of Australia's greatest ever three-point shooters in Ingles and Chris Goulding, both of whom took home bronze medals for the Boomers at the Tokyo Olympics.
Joe Ingles and Patty Mills celebrate winning an Olympic bronze medal for Australia. Getty
Ingles said it was important to him to finish his career where he started it.
"Coming home to Melbourne feels incredibly special," Ingles told the club's website.
"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.
"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.
"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.
Joe Ingles of the Timberwolves shoots a three. NBAE via Getty Images
"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."
After spending much of the last two NBA seasons on the bench, the move will also give Ingles the best opportunity to put his hand up for the 2027 FIBA World Cup and potentially the 2028 Olympics.
It mirrors the move Matthew Dellavedova made in order to put himself back in the mix for Paris.
Ingles has been a heart-and-soul member of the Boomers since Beijing in 2008, where he made his Olympic debut alongside Patty Mills and Andrew Bogut.
Mills is reportedly also in talks for a return to the NBL, with the Perth Wildcats strongly linked.
He is currently playing in Spain after calling time on his own NBA career in 2025.
