Cole Anthony’s move to Melbourne United was one of the biggest signings of the NBL offseason, and the 26-year-old guard has revealed that Joe Ingles played a major role in convincing him to make the move to Australia.
Anthony remains in his prime and played 35 games in his most recent NBA season, having also appeared in the playoffs with Orlando as recently as 2025. He now arrives in the NBL as one of the leading candidates to contend for the MVP award.
“Joe Ingles got in my ear”
Anthony explained that his manager, Bryce Council, was the first person to present him with the opportunity. After speaking with Melbourne United, however, the project quickly became more appealing.
“My good partner Bryce Council, who’s been my right-hand man for 20 years, was actually the one who brought me this opportunity to the table. I had to take it seriously, just because I trust his word.”
After discussions with the club, Anthony felt the enthusiasm surrounding the project.
“I sat down, just talked with the team a bunch, really felt their energy and their love and their passion for it. Joe Ingles got in my ear a little bit and helped push me in the right direction.“
Ingles as a “big brother figure”
Anthony and Ingles were teammates at the Orlando Magic, playing 75 games together during the 2023-24 NBA season.
For Anthony, their relationship goes back even further. He has followed Ingles since he was a young basketball fan and now sees the Australian veteran as a mentor.
“He was a huge factor,” Anthony said about Ingles’ influence.
“Being able to go to Melbourne, a great city with great weather, and learn under a guy who played in the league for 10 years, who is just a super high IQ player.”
Anthony also recalled watching Ingles during his NBA career, particularly his famous playoff battles with Paul George.
“When I was a kid I was watching Joe play in the league and I never forget when he was going at PG in that one playoff series. From that day I always rocked with Joe, and I was a kid, and so I’ve seen Joe almost like a big brother figure to me.”
“I just want to soak up the knowledge”
Anthony is particularly excited about having the opportunity to learn from Ingles again.
“I’m really excited to just learn from him and just soak up the knowledge and just be around his team.”
The guard also joked about Ingles’ appearance compared with his ability on the basketball court.
“Joe’s just a heck of a guy. Just can hoop. Doesn’t look like he can hoop, but boy, he can hoop. And just one of the funniest dudes I’ve met. Just super down to earth and just a real solid guy.”
Anthony excited by the Australian welcome
The former NBA guard has already received plenty of attention from Australian fans despite not having arrived in the country yet.
“I’ve already gotten a bunch of DMs, likes, comments, just people literally just hitting me up showing love. Like, ‘Yo Cole from Melbourne’, ‘I’m from somewhere in Australia’. Just, ‘Yo, really excited to see you come down here’. So, I definitely have been feeling all the love.”
Anthony will join a stacked Melbourne United roster featuring Sam Waardenburg, Luke Travers, Chris Goulding and Josh Oduro.
But playing alongside Ingles once again is clearly one of the things he is looking forward to most.
“We’re going to have a lot of wins”
Anthony already has high expectations for his first NBL season.
“I just want to tell them how excited I am that they’ve embraced me so far, before I’ve even touched down in the country or in the continent.”
“I’m excited. I think it’s going to be a great season. We’re going to have a lot of wins and we’re going to have some fun while we’re doing it.“
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