Hawks secure the final development player spot for the NBL25 Season with Kobe McDowell-White

The Illawarra Hawks are excited to announce the signing of Kobe McDowell-White as a development player for the NBL25 Season. McDowell-White joins the squad on a two-year deal, with an option to extend to a third. He is the Club’s final signing for NBL25 and completes an exciting roster for this year.   

After a standout NBL1 Season with the Sunshine Coast Phoenix, Kobe was picked up by the Illawarra Hawks through his connection with Hawks current assistant coach Joel ‘JK’ Khalu.   

Kobe, is the first signing under the Hawks’ First Nations development player scholarship program and a pivotal step for the Club in developing its new First Nations pathway. Promoting and celebrating First Nations culture and players is a key pillar the recently launched Hawks Helps community program.  

“It is a dream come true to be here in the NBL, with the Illawarra Hawks,” said Kobe. “It is great to be in this environment and improve my game and myself both on and off the court.”   

“Playing in this environment with these players has already improved my skills, even in this short time,” he explained.  

Mat Campbell, General Manager of Basketball said, “We are excited to have Kobe as the final signing for the Illawarra Hawks roster for NBL25. He was a standout in the NBL1 season, really catching our attention and came highly recommended by our current assistant coach Joel Khalu.” 

“We have believed for a long time that it is important for the club to provide a pathway and present opportunities for our emerging First Nations players.”  

“That has been a key part of the Hawks’ community and basketball strategy even before our ground-breaking Indigenous game in 2018, which led to the League implementing the Indigenous round annually.”  

The signing of McDowell-White secures the NBL25 playing group for the Hawks alongside Darius Days, Trey Kell III, Tyler Harvey, Sam Froling, Dan Grida, William 'Davo' Hickey, Mason Peatling, Lachie Olbrich, Hyunjung Lee, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, Todd Blanchfield, Luca Yates, Brad Ballinger, Kuany Kuany and Zac Triplett to the Hawks roster for the NBL25 season.