IBA Welcomes Kobe McDowell-White to NBL1 Men’s Team

Illawarra Basketball Association (IBA) is excited to announce the signing of Kobe McDowell-White to the NBL1 Men’s team for the 2025 season. A dynamic guard with a strong basketball pedigree, McDowell-White brings youth, energy, and elite playmaking skills to the squad as the team continues to build towards a competitive and high-performance program.

McDowell-White is currently a development player with the Illawarra Hawks in the NBL, where he has been playing and training alongside some of the league’s best talent and gaining valuable experience at the professional level. His time with the Hawks has allowed him to refine his skills under elite coaching while adapting to the demands of top-tier competition.

Prior to his time in the NBL, McDowell-White had a standout season in NBL1 North with the Sunshine Coast Phoenix, averaging 15.6 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game. His ability to control the floor, create for teammates, and make a major impact on both ends of the court was on full display throughout the season, positioning him as an exciting young prospect heading into 2025.

Head Coach Matt Flinn expressed his excitement about McDowell-White joining the squad:

"Kobe is a proven PG at NBL1 Level and coaching against him in the North for the last 3 seasons I always admired his ability to compete and make plays. He makes people better around him. I have enjoyed coaching him this year at the NBL level and really looking forward to watching him develop further through our NBL1 program"

For McDowell-White, joining the NBL1 Hawks is the next step in his ongoing development as he continues to push towards securing a long-term professional career.

"I’m really excited to stay and play here for Illawarra. I truly believe this will take my game to the next level, especially learning from Flinny and the likes of Todd aswell. I’m excited to further my connections with those guys and both were a big reason why I chose to stay here. Also the community support is second to none and I can’t wait to keep experiencing that throughout the NBL1 season."

With the 2025 season fast approaching, the Illawarra NBL1 Men’s team is shaping up to be an exciting squad to watch, and McDowell-White’s addition brings another level of talent and potential to a group looking to make a serious impact.

 Season tickets are now on sale! Secure your spot at our NBL1 home opener on March 29th against Maitland.

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