Basketball: Former NBA veteran signs in ANBL

Hakim Warrick in action for Charlotte during his NBA stint. Photo / Getty

Another former NBA player is heading down under.

Eight-year NBA veteran Hakim Warrick has joined Melbourne United, replacing former Breakers import Ekene Ibekwe, who will not face up against the team for whom he hit the championship-winning shot last season.

Melbourne agreed to release Ibekwe on compassionate terms last Friday to return to Europe to be with his pregnant partner, and they swooped quickly for a high-quality replacement.

A 6"9 power forward Warrick played for six NBA teams, being drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2005 where he spent four seasons before stints with Milwaukee, Chicago, Phoenix, Charlotte and New Orleans.

He averaged 9.4 points per game over his career with career highs of 31 points and 16 rebounds in one game. He also played a starring role on the 2003 Syracuse NCAA National Championship team making a game-winning block in the final seconds.

33 years old, Warrick joins Melbourne after a stint in Turkey, and had been recently working out with the Atlanta Hawks. His desire to head to the ANBL was aided by former Phoenix Suns teammate Josh Childress, who has starred with the Sydney Kings.

"My friend Josh Childress has told me great things about the ANBL, so to get the opportunity to come to a city like Melbourne and be part of a Championship push is something I'm going to relish," Warrick said.

Warrick's addition continues the impressive trend of NBA talent heading down under in recent years.

Childress, Mickell Gladness, Cedric Jackson, Jermaine Taylor, James Ennis, DeAndre Daniels, Jordan McRae and Scottie Wilbekin are all players with NBA links to have played in either the ANBL or New Zealand NBL in just the last two years, and more NBA-level talent is expected to migrate south as the league's presitge continues to grow.