Illawarra Hawks Shine at the Andrew Gaze NBL MVP Awards

It comes as no surprise that the Illawarra Hawks and NBL25 Regional Season Champions dominated the prestigious Andrew Gaze NBL MVP Awards. We are incredibly proud of our Hawks players as they continue to establish themselves as the league’s best.

A special congratulations goes to our very own Head Coach Justin Tatum, who has been named the recipient of the Lindsay Gaze Trophy for Coach of the Year. Since joining the Hawks in NBL24 and stepping into his current role midway through a challenging season—at a time when the team was on a 5-31 run—he has officially silenced the critics. After leading the Hawks to a record-breaking season, his recognition comes as no surprise. The notion of the Hawks being ‘underdogs’ has been put to rest, and their continued success was evident at tonight’s awards.

The accolades continued, with Co-Captain Tyler Harvey and NBL25 Season Import Trey Kell III earning spots on the All-NBL First Team. Meanwhile, Co-Captain Sam Froling was honored with a place on the All-NBL Second Team.

Wani Swaka Lo Buluk received well-deserved recognition for his nomination for the Damian Martin Trophy for Best Defensive Player. His consistent performances throughout the season have seen him achieve career-high success both on and off the court.

Similarly, William ‘Davo’ Hickey was nominated across multiple categories, including Most Improved Player (presented by AAMI) and Best Sixth Man for NBL25. Though he was unsuccessful in securing these awards, his continued growth and impact have been evident, further reinforced by his three-year deal with the Illawarra Hawks signed midway through the season.

Co-Captains Sam Froling and Tyler Harvey, along with Trey Kell III, were also nominated for the Andrew Gaze Trophy for Most Valuable Player (presented by Hungry Jack’s). A nomination alone is a testament to their talent and value within the league and on a global scale.

It has been an outstanding season for the Illawarra Hawks, both on and off the court. As the team looks ahead, they remain focused on maintaining their momentum through the NBL25 Final Season, preparing for the highly anticipated Playoff Series in late February.

For more information on all NBL25 Finals Series Ticketing, check out the Finals Hub on our website.