Illawarra Hawks: Five things you need to know

• The Hawks had a stellar 2025 season, earning the number 1 seed and winning the title
• The Illawarra Hawks have two NBL titles in their history
• Illawarra lost three consecutive finals appearances before winning in 2025

The Illawarra Hawks are the oldest continuous club in the NBL, having competed in every season since the league's inception in 1979. Based in Wollongong, New South Wales, the Hawks have built a rich legacy rooted in community spirit and resilience. Their home games are played at the WIN Entertainment Centre.

After decades of striving, the Hawks clinched their second NBL championship in 2025, defeating Melbourne United 114-104 in a thrilling Game 5 of the Finals Series. Looking ahead, the Hawks aim to build on this success, blending experienced leadership with emerging talent to continue their run as a top tier force in Australian basketball. 

2024-25 Season Summary 

• Record (20-9)
• Finish 1st (Won championship)
• All NBL Selections: Tyler Harvey (1st team), Trey Kell (1st team), Sam Froling (2nd team)

2025 Off-Season Additions:

•  Harry Froling
• Jackson Ball

Naturally coming off a title, the Hawks priority this off-season was continuity. But despite minimal additions, not everything stayed the same. Two key pieces from their title run, Trey Kell III and Darius Days, both departed the team to play in Japan, leaving some noticeable gaps in their roster. To make matters worse, Sam Froling is expected to miss significant time due to injury, further testing the team’s frontcourt depth. While the core remains largely intact, the Hawks will need internal growth and a collective step up to stay in the thick of the title race. 

Potential NBL26 Line-up

1. ‍PG: — | Will Hickey | Kobe McDowell-White (DP)‍
2. SG: Tyler Harvey (IP) | Jackson Ball (DP)‍
3. SF: Wani Swaka Lo Buluk | Todd Blanchfield | Dan Grida‍
4. PF: — | Mason Peatling‍
5. C: JaVale McGee | Harry Froling (IRP) | Luca Yates (DP)

Injured: S.Froling

Team History

Founded in 1979, the Illawarra Hawks are the NBL’s oldest club still operating under their original name and location. Representing the city of Wollongong, the Hawks have always embodied the grit and spirit of their coastal community. 

Through the 1980s and 1990s, the Hawks carved out a reputation as battlers, but had little success until the turn of the 21st century. In 2001, under coach Brendan Joyce, the Hawks made a gamble and replaced over half their roster with new pieces to surround their star player Glen Saville. Despite having a fresh roster, the Hawks made noise and made the playoffs as the four seed. What followed was one of the most thrilling postseason runs in NBL history, as the Hawks clinched the championship with all four semifinal and final wins decided by a combined margin of just eight points. The Hawks maintained a decent form for the early 2000s as they made the postseason the next five years. 

The next decade of Hawks basketball was filled with tumultuous times as the team almost collapsed several times, but they somehow managed to stay alive despite surviving ownership changes, financial instability and relocation rumours. Through it all, the Illawarra faithful stood firm.

In 2019, the Illawarra Hawks gained global attention when they signed American guard LaMelo Ball who joined the team as part of the NBL's Next Stars program. LaMelo went on to be drafted 3rd overall by the Charlotte Hornets and is now an NBA All-Star and was a huge moment for not only the Hawks but also the NBL that such a big name draft prospect would bypass college to come to Australia. 

The years that followed saw Illawarra slowly build a more competitive culture, highlighted by multiple playoff appearances and a string of successful Next Stars signings. Yet it wasn’t until 2025 that everything finally came together with a core of Tyler Harvey, Trey Kell III, Sam Froling and William Hickey who were a dominant force on both the offensive and defensive end.

Five Fast Facts

1. The coach of the Hawks — Justin Tatum — is the father of NBA superstar Jayson Tatum
2. Between 2015 and 2020, the team briefly went by "The Hawks" to appeal to a broader market before officially reverting back to "Illawarra Hawks" in 2021 due to community pressure
3. In 2020, the club was rescued by the NBL after creditors voted to liquidate the club
4. Despite winning the NBL title last year, Matthew Dellavedova of Melbourne United was made the Finals MVP
5. NBA players who played for the Hawks include LaMelo Ball, AJ Johnson and Lachlan Olbrich

Despite operating in one of the league’s smaller markets, the Illawarra Hawks have demonstrated remarkable resilience and longevity, standing as the longest continuously running club in NBL history. Their ability to survive financial challenges, ownership changes, and competitive ups and downs is a testament to the unwavering support of their community and the grit embedded in their identity.

Now, as defending champions with a balanced roster and strong leadership, the Hawks are not just content with surviving, they are hungry to build a lasting dynasty.