Joe Ingles Returns to Melbourne to Play for Melbourne United

Boomers legend Joe Ingles has confirmed that he will return home to play for Melbourne United in the coming NBL season.

The 38-year-old veteran wound up his 12-year NBA career this week when his Minnesota Timberwolves lost 4-2 in round two of the play-offs to the San Antonio Spurs.

After an 810-game NBA career, most notably with the Utah Jazz, as well as the Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic, Ingles will return to the city where he made his professional bow in the now-defunct South Dragons in 2006.

"Coming home to Melbourne feels incredibly special," Ingles said at a press release heralding his two-year deal with United.

"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."

Adelaide-born Ingles is without a doubt one of Australia's greatest basketball exports.

A five-time Olympian with the Boomers, winning a bronze medallist in Paris, Inglis has appeared in eight NBA play-off series: five with Utah and once each with Milwaukee (2023), Orlando (2024) and this year with Minnesota.

He remains one of the most accurate three-point shooters in NBA history, averaging 40.9 per cent from the field.

Before his NBA career, Inglis won the Euroleague with Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2014, as well as the NBL championship with the Dragons in 2009.

Ingles only played a handful of minutes for the Timberwolves in the past two seasons, averaging under six minutes per game in 30 games this year and similar in his 26 games last season.

But despite the fact he will be 39 by the time the NBL season gets underway, the 203cm star feels he still has plenty to offer.

"From a basketball perspective, this opportunity really excited me," Ingles said.

"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.

"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."

Melbourne United finished fifth in the 2025-26 NBL regular season with a 20-13 record, then lost to Perth Wildcats in the elimination round of the play-offs.

Fellow Tokyo Olympic medallist Chris Goulding said his former Boomers teammate would be a welcome addition to the United team.

"His decision-making, leadership and shooting abilities make him a great teammate and someone that everyone will love to play with," Goulding said.

"I think he will fit into our style perfectly. It won't be long until he's hitting big shots in front of a packed-out John Cain Arena crowd."

The NBL season will get underway in September.