THE REIGNING champions will be looking to go back to back when the Illawarra Hawks set out to defend their title in the upcoming 2025/26 National Basketball League (NBL) season, although the competition will be tougher than ever.

The Hawks broke through for their second championship in club history – and the first since moving from Wollongong to Illawarra – in what was a deserving result after finishing atop the standings and pushing close to the title in previous seasons.

Now, the Hawks have added an NBA-championship winning center for their quest to go back to back, and have added some more firepower after their peers enjoyed an active offseason over the past few months.

Illawarra Hawks

Roster

Daniel Grida, Harry Froling, JaVale McGee, Jackson Ball, Johny Narkle, Kobe McDowell-White, Lachlan Olbrich, Luca Yates, Mason Peatling, Sam Froling, Todd Blanchfield, Tyler Harvey, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, William Hickey

The Hawks have largely the same roster from last season, bringing back the likes of Sam Froling, Harvey and Hickey, all of whom were crucial to the success of the team last season. They also added some established names in the frontcourt, although Illawarra is preparing for life without Olbrich, who is still technically contracted but was drafted to the Chicago Bulls last year.

Key player – Will Hickey

The returning Hickey has been given the keys to the kingdom for the upcoming season in the backcourt, settling as the team’s new point guard for the upcoming fixture. Following the departure of Trey Kell III over the offseason, the Hawks opted not to bring in a replacement and instead promote Hickey into the starting lineup after proving a point of difference off the bench in recent seasons. He now has Boomers experience under his belt, and looks set to bring energy to the one spot, having demonstrated an innate ability to make plays in the past.

Key to success – Getting JaVale McGee on the court

McGee was one of the biggest signings in NBL history, having won three NBA championships in the past decade and emerging as a highlight machine throughout his career at the top level. A dunking machine and certified shot blocker, the big man has the potential to deliver some of the best highlights in competition history, but it will be a matter of getting him onto the floor. He has been struggling with pneumonia over the past 12 months, which kept him sidelined for most of his last campaign. However, if he can become healthy by the start of the season, it gives the Hawks a huge boost for their hopes of winning two in a row.

In a sentence

The Hawks reached the top of the mountain last season, and will be hoping to defend their throne against some stacked competition in the coming months, and if Hickey can adapt to the point guard role and McGee plays over 15 games, they will be well placed to do so.