The 34-year-old played a key role in United's run to the NBL grand final in 2018 and 2019, earning All NBL First Team Honours in 2018.

Boone signed with the Hawks on a one-year contract and said he's looking forward to making the move north.

"I loved the two and a half years I spent in Melbourne and playing for Melbourne United," Boone said. "Winning a championship there goes down as one of the highlights of my career. But now I'm very much looking forward to relocating to Wollongong and joining the Illawarra Hawks family."

The signing makes Boone the ninth player the Hawks have announced for the upcoming NBL season, with Boone joining Sunday Dech and Sam Froling as the club's key recruits.

Read more: Good times coming for new-look Hawks: Stratford

Coach Matt Flinn said Boone's experience playing in the NBA and in various leagues around the world will prove invaluable to a young, talented side.

"I'm super excited to have Josh on-board," Flinn said. "He has established himself as one of our league's elite rebounders and mobile defenders. He's a proven winner and his voice and experience will be invaluable to our playing group."

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