ONE of the fairytale sides from last National Basketball League (NBL) season will be looking to go one step further, as the Illawarra Hawks gear up for another season.

Now heading into their first full campaign under Justin Tatum, the Hawks will be looking to progress further than last season, which saw the team remarkably finish just one win shy of a Championship series appearance.

After re-signing some key pieces and adding some proven international talent, Illawarra will be eager to add its second championship to the trophy cabinet.

Illawarra Hawks

Last time around

The Hawks were one of the big stories of the 2023/24 season, producing a huge turnaround to nearly make the deciding series. Nine games into the fixture, they were sitting at the bottom of the table with a record of two wins and seven losses. A coaching change saw Tatum take charge and have an immediate impact, instilling a serious level of belief in his side.

Illawarra manoeuvred its way through the play-in tournament to book a semi-final spot against the ladder-leading Melbourne United. Although the Hawks could not get past the title favourites, they still pushed their opponents to three games and looked unrecognisable from the team that sat in 10th spot earlier in the fixture.

The off-season

The Hawks look quite similar to the team that made the semi-finals last season, but there are some changes, particularly on the import front.

Illawarra did lose its best performer of last season in Gary Clark, who headed overseas and recently faced off against the Perth Wildcats when they played a three-game exhibition series in China.

However, the Hawks did add some impressive names, starting with Trey Kell III, who will be rejoining the NBL after a stint with the Adelaide 36ers. In 49 NBL appearances, Kell III has averaged 14.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists since entering the league and will be a key offensive figure for the Hawks this season.

The other big name that joined the team from an import standpoint is Darius Days, who was announced to be suiting up for Illawarra just nine days ago. Days actually played for the Shanghai Sharks when they took on the Hawks in a preseason hitout last month, and clearly impressed Illawarra’s coaching staff. A power forward that can stretch the floor and brings NBA experience to the table, he could be one of the stars of the league in the coming months.

Projected starters (when healthy)

Trey Kell III
Tyler Harvey
Wani Swaka Lo Buluk
Darius Days
Sam Froling

One to watch

After establishing himself as one of the most exciting young Aussie basketballers early in his career, Froling has not been able to break into the next tier. He has been able to deliver a solid 17 points and eight rebounds on a consistent basis, but has not elevated himself into one of the most dangerous frontcourt performers in the NBL. If he is able to add to his production, it will make Illawarra a much more tantalising prospect.