Incoming Mason Peatling

Power forward Mason Peatling has joined the Illawarra Hawks for Hungry Jacks NBL24 on a 2-year deal.

Peatling, a Melbourne native, began playing basketball as a pastime with friends but it didn’t take long for his love for the game to take hold and budded his ambition for a basketball career.

This led to successful development in junior basketball with the Dandenong Rangers, and he frequently represented Victoria in the Australian Basketball Championships.

From there he was recruited by the Eastern Washington Eagles, an NCAA Division I school, where he played four seasons. Peatling’s new teammate Tyler Harvey is also an Eagles Alum.

Peatling thrived with the Eagles, where he racked up some impressive stats; 22 double-doubles, the sixth player in Eagles history to score at least 1,000 points and 525 rebounds.

The 6’8 baller was also named the Big Sky Conference’s MVP in 2020, making him one of only 15 players in the NCAA to be honoured that year.

Following his college career, he was picked up by Melbourne United as a development player where he impressed the coaching staff enough to be elevated to the team’s full-time roster in his second and third seasons with the club.

The 26-year-old is no stranger to the NBL lights, having hit the court 87 times over his three seasons with Melbourne United, contributing to the club’s 2020-21 Championship run.

Peatling missed the first 10 rounds of NBL23 due to a knee injury but came back with something to prove, with his best game being in round 10 against his new team, where he scored a career-high 19-point, 11-board double-double.

Most recently Peatling made his international debut for Australia with the Boomers, alongside his new teammate Dan Grida, where he secured 6 rebounds for his squad.

Known for his good-natured spirit, Peatling is conscious to remain grateful for the opportunity to play at a professional level.

“Every game is a really good opportunity to just enjoy being an NBL player,” said Peatling, “I am excited to join a proud and iconic organisation in the Hawks.”

Hawks GM of Basketball, Mat Campbell, spoke on Peatling’s signing, “Mason’s a competitor and a winner, and his best basketball is ahead of him. We are excited to add him to our young and developing front line.”

Catch Peatling hit the court with the Knox Raiders in NBL1 South, before he makes his way to Wollongong to join the Hawks for the NBL24 pre-season in August.