Aussie icon to "contribute to winning in a very big way"

This week, Melbourne United confirmed the return of one of the country’s greatest-ever players, Joe Ingles, for the Hungry Jack’s NBL27 Season.

While he hasn’t stepped foot on an NBL court since helping the South Dragons win the 2008–09 championship, the 810-game NBA veteran is set to make a huge impact on the League.

“He is going to have no trouble coming back to the NBL,” 2019 NBL champion Pete Hooley said on The Marketplace, presented by Paywise.

“He’s a self-aware five-time Olympian who is willing to earn all the minutes he gets.

“I understand the age thing, but you [need to] understand the kind of player that Joe is.

“Part of that is understanding that if you can do a couple of things better than anybody else, you're already ahead of the curve.

“He's going to be able to shoot the ball better than the majority of the league, and his game IQ is going to be better than the majority of the league.

“When you have that, and you have the ability to manipulate the game to your liking, he's going to contribute to winning in a very big way.”

This sentiment is echoed by fellow panellist from ESPN, Olgun Uluc.

“He [Ingles] comes into the League as a top three shooter and passer, with an argument to be made he’s the best of them both, not to mention he’s going to be the biggest wing in the League. So he ticks all those boxes,” Uluc said.

“As a five-time Olympian, the FIBA game isn’t foreign to him.

“He also knows he’s not coming in and going to win the MVP, but rather coming in and playing his own game.

“And with high-level pieces like Chris Goulding, Sam Waardenburg and potentially two imports, he will also be allowed to be one of the best connectors in the League.”

Joining that trio on United’s roster for next season are Shea Ili, Fabijan Krslovic, Kyle Bowen and Dash Daniels.