Swaka Lo Buluk Ready for NBL24

Hawks guard Wani Swaka Lo Buluk recently signed with the Sydney Comets in the NBL1 East competition, reuniting with Hawks assistant coach Lachie Lonergan during the off season.

In his first appearance with the Sydney Comets, Swaka Lo Buluk demonstrated his versatility and impact on the court, delivering 33 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals in a hard-fought loss to the Albury-Wodonga Bandits.

Most recently, the guard top-scored in back to back games for the NBL1 team, delivering a game winning performance with his side beating the Newcastle Falcons 79-74.

One of the intriguing aspects of Swaka Lo Buluk's recent move to the Sydney Comets is his reunion with Hawks assistant coach Lachie Lonergan.

The familiarity and existing rapport between the two undoubtedly offer a distinct advantage to the Comets, with Lonergan's familiarity with Swaka Lo Buluk's style of play allowing him to be seamlessly integrated into the Comet's strategies and game plans.

The two have previously teamed up at the Sydney Kings, with both part of the NBL22 Championship team.

This alignment between player and coach fosters cohesion within the team and will undoubtedly continue to facilitate Swaka Lo Buluk's ability to excel with not only the Comets, but also the Hawks when he returns to the Illawarra for NBL24 pre-season.

In NBL23 Swaka Lo Buluk signed a two-year deal with the Illawarra Hawks, showcasing the team's confidence in his abilities and potential, and while he initially played in the sixth-man role, his importance to the team became more evident when a string of injuries struck the Hawks.

As a result, Swaka Lo Buluk became a regular starter, primarily due to his ability to slow down the opposition's offense, his strong defensive presence and willingness to compete in the paint when given the opportunity. This was rewarded with the club Defensive Player of the Year award in his first season with the team.

Although known majorly as a strong defensive player, his recent NBL1 performances show that he has much more to offer on the court, so fans should keep an eye out to see how the 22-year-old's court presence continues to grow throughout the upcoming season.

Having begun his career with two seasons with the Perth Wildcats, followed by the 2021/22 season with the Sydney Kings, Swaka Lo Buluk has already achieved great success in his young career having secured three championship rings along the way.

The young talent has remained in the Illawarra during the off season to continue to work on his game by training with coaching staff, before returning to the court for his second season with the Hawks this September.

Looking ahead to NBL24, Hawks fans should be excited about the future of Swaka Lo Buluk, with his exceptional defensive skills, growing offensive capabilities, and significant NBL experience, despite his young age he has already established himself as a formidable player in the league.