Hopes Rise Together at Illawarra Hawks for NBL25

The Illawarra Hawks launched their NBL25 season today with high hopes of building on the momentum of the team’s unforgettable NBL24 finals run that took them to the brink of the Championship Series. 

With ten players returning from that campaign, the squad presented today by Head Coach Justin Tatum will balance continuity with the fresh energy of Imports Darius Days and Trey Kell III, fellow new recruits in Zac Triplett, Kuany Kuany and Brad Ballinger, together with four new assistant coaches – Joel Khalu, Sam Gruggen, Matt Flinn and Tom Cranney. The group will once again be led by inspirational co-captains Sam Froling and Tyler Harvey. 

With an early win at the Snakepit against the Shanghai Sharks, and some solid pre-season hitouts last weekend at the NBL Blitz on the Gold Coast, the group looks to be settling nicely, just in time for the new NBL Opening Round – “HoopsFest” – in Perth this weekend. All that promises to generate a huge amount of excitement leading into the Hawks’ first home game against the Brisbane Bullets at WIN Entertainment Centre on Friday, September 27. 

“I am really excited with the way that our group has been coming together, and I can’t wait to see what we can do in Perth on Saturday night,” said Head Coach Justin Tatum. “We’re hoping to get our season off to a winning start, and then bring that energy straight home to Wollongong next week,” he added.

Co-captain Sam Froling shared his coach’s excitement. “We finished last season with a real sense of unfinished business,” he said. “Our fans carried us all the way to the semi-final, and we can’t wait to ride that wave one step further, and go all the way with them this year.” 

 His fellow co-captain Tyler Harvey added, “Hawks fans are the best in the country, and the atmosphere they create for us at WIN Entertainment Centre really makes the difference. We would love to give them something to really get excited about this year!” 

Hawks CEO Stu Taggart was also looking forward to another chance to experience the Illawarra’s Ultimate Night Out, when the team returns to Wollongong next week. And he also highlighted all that NBL25 is promising off the court, with new partners, programs and plans putting the Club in a great place even before the first tip-off.  

“Earlier this month we were delighted to welcome Greater Bank to the Hawks family, as a platinum partner, with one of the most significant commercial partnerships in the Club’s long history,” he said. “The partnership is particularly important because it is built on our shared commitment to the Illawarra community. Our new signature community program, Hawks Helps, is the cornerstone of the partnership, and that speaks volumes. We are really proud and excited about Hawks Helps and our new friends at Greater.” 

“NBL25 looks really bright for the Illawarra Hawks,” Taggart added, “and I would like to thank the whole team who are working so hard to build the foundations that will set up the NBL’s oldest foundation club to proudly and successfully represent the Illawarra for many more decades to come.” 

Tickets for Illawarra Hawks’ first home game, against the Brisbane Bullets at WIN Entertainment Centre on Friday, September 27 are still available from Ticketmaster.