From LaMelo Ball to Luke Nevill, the Illawarra Hawks NBA connection runs deep

When the Hawks announced this past off-season that they would be signing Justinian Jessup, the hype was palpable, and not just due to the six-foot-six American's ability to stroke it from deep. Jessup was signed through the NBL’s ‘Next Star’ program, and had just been drafted by the Golden State Warriors with the 51st pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Fans had much to celebrate with Jessup’s signing; he averaged 16 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game in his senior year at Boise State, and has become one of the core pieces of the Hawks offense. 

But while Hawks fans were delighted to employ a recently NBA-drafted player, it is a feeling that Hawks fans have become almost accustomed to. Over their history, the Hawks have sported 21 different players who have some level of NBA experience, be that playing time, being drafted, playing in the D/G-League or the Summer League. From LaMelo Ball to Luke Nevill, the Hawks NBA connection continues to run deep. 

While Justinian was one of the Hawks big name signings, the current roster is jam packed with players who have been involved in the American pro-leagues. Cam Bairstow headlines the NBA experience in this roster, having spent two seasons in the states after being drafted by the Chicago Bulls. He also appeared in five games with the Austin Spurs of the G-League, and in 2016 was traded to the Detroit Pistons and consequently waived. Deng Adel has also seen playing time in the NBA, appearing in 19 games for the Cleveland Cavaliers, with three starts. Adel also spent time with G-League teams Raptors 905, Canton Charge and Long Island Nets. 

Arguably the strongest year of the Hawks NBA connection came last season, with prospective lottery pick LaMelo Ball opting to spend the season in the NBL. Ball went on to be drafted at three by the Charlotte Hornets, and led the Rookie of the Year race for the majority of the season, before suffering a right wrist fracture late March that he is only just coming back from. Ball was accompanied by NBA Journeyman Aaron Brooks, who had played with seven NBA franchises over an eleven year career. Brooks is now back in the NBA, in a coaching position with the New York Knicks. Josh Boone (New Jersey) and David Anderson (Houston, Toronto, New Orleans) both featured on this team. 

More historically, Doug Overton spent a year with the Illawarra Hawks before being drafted 40th in the 1991 NBA Draft, to the Detroit Pistons. Possibly the first ever ‘Next Star’, Overton spent 11 seasons in the NBA, playing for Washington, Denver, Philadelphia, Orlando, New Jersey, Boston, Charlotte and Los Angeles (Clippers). Other Illawarra Hawks with NBA experience include Cedric Jackson (Cleveland, San Antonio, Washington), Darnell Mee (Denver), Todd Mundt (Atlanta, Boston), Kirk Penney (Miami, Los Angeles Clippers) and Charles Thomas (Detroit).

There are three Hawks players, both past and current, who have been drafted into the NBA, but have never played in an NBA game. Justinian is the obvious one, but his backcourt mate and scoring buddy Tyler Harvey was also selected in the draft. Harvey was taken by Orlando with the 51st pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. Harvey played a season with Orlando’s G-League affiliate, the Erie BayHawks, before leaving to play in Europe. Harvey was also on the 2018-19 roster for the G-Leagues Memphis Hustle, after Orlando traded his rights. Darrington Hobson was also selected in the NBA draft, pick 37 by Milwaukee in 2010. 

Justin Simon, the Hawks current defensive motor and prospective DPOY has spent extensive time in Chicago, playing for the Bulls summer league team, participating in their training camp, and playing for their G-League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls.

Teammate Deng Deng has also featured in the G-League, spending the 2016-17 season with the Texas Legends. Similarly, ex-Hawk and tallest Hawks player ever, Luke Nevill, played in the D-League for the Utah Flash. Nevill also participated in NBA’s Summer Leagues for both Orlando and Minnesota in 2012, and was even briefly signed to the Indiana Pacers before being waived. Former Hawks MVP Gary Ervin also logged three separate G-League stints, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the Tulsa 66ers and the Maine Red Claws. 

Finally, there have been three Hawks players who have only played at NBA Summer Leagues. Current team Captain AJ Ogilvy played for Chicago in the 2010 Summer League. Demetrius Conger played for Boston in the 2018 Summer League, and Tywain McKee had two summer league stints, for Washington in 2009 and for Toronto in 2013.