Illawarra Hawks

Australian basketball team

This article is about the professional NBL franchise. For the district's basketball association with the same team nickname, see Basketball Illawarra.

Illawarra Hawks

2024–25 Illawarra Hawks season
Leagues| NBL
Founded| 1979; 46 years ago (1979)
History| Illawarra Hawks
1979–1998; 2015–2020; 2021–present
Wollongong Hawks
1998–2015
The Hawks
2020–2021
Arena| WIN Entertainment Centre
Location| Wollongong, New South Wales
Team colors| Black, red, white

General manager| Mat Campbell
Head coach| Justin Tatum
Team captain| Sam Froling
Tyler Harvey
Ownership| Crest Sport & Entertainment
Championships| 2 (2001, 2025)
Retired numbers| 5 (4, 5, 12, 32, 33)
Website| Hawks.com.au

Home

Away

|

The Illawarra Hawks (formerly the Wollongong Hawks and The Hawks) are an Australian professional basketball team based in Wollongong, New South Wales. The Illawarra Hawks compete in the National Basketball League (NBL) and play their home games at WIN Entertainment Centre, known colloquially as "The Sandpit".[1] The Illawarra Hawks are the only remaining NBL team to have competed in every season since the league's inception in 1979. The team won their first NBL Championship in 2001, their second in 2025, and have finished as runners-up in 2005, 2010 and 2017.

## History

[edit]

Wollongong Hawks logo (1998–2011)

The team began as the Illawarra Hawks in the New South Wales Men's Division 1 championship[2] before joining the National Basketball League (NBL) for its inaugural season in 1979. The Hawks played out of Beaton Park Stadium, commonly known as "The Snakepit". In 1981, import Mike Jones was named NBL Most Valuable Player. In 1987, the Hawks had their best season to date, finishing in third place with a 20–6 record.

In 1998, the team was renamed the Wollongong Hawks and moved into WIN Entertainment Centre, known as the Sandpit, with Beaton Park remaining as their office and training facility. The venue is also home to Basketball Illawarra's representative side, also known as the 'Illawarra Hawks'.

The 2000/01 season marked history for the Hawks as they won their maiden NBL Championship. Prior to the start of the season, coach Brendan Joyce changed almost half his roster, adding Charles Thomas, Damon Lowery, Grant Kruger, Matt Shanahan and Axel Dench. After finishing the regular season in fourth with a club-best 21 wins from 28 games, Wollongong upset Perth in the first round of the post-season before conquering Adelaide when Lowery sunk three free throws with no time on the clock in game three of the semi-final series.[3] The Hawks went on to beat Townsville 2–1 in the grand final to capture the team's only title.[4] The Hawks became the first New South Wales team to reach and win a grand final in the NBL's 23-year history.[5]

The Hawks returned to the NBL Grand Final in 2004/05, where they lost to the Sydney Kings.

In February 2009, captain Mat Campbell started the "Save the Hawks" campaign after the ownership group declared the team would not be able to join revamped league in 2009/10 on financial grounds. Campbell and his small team reached their goal, thanks to the commitment of the Illawarra community, naming rights sponsor ahm Health Insurance, and a bank guarantee provided by Indian mining magnate Mr. Arun Jagatramka from Gujarat NRE. A not-for-profit community-based company formed as Wollongong Hawks Basketball Limited was established to operate the Hawks into the future.

In 2009/10, they made their third appearance in the grand final series, this time coming up short to the Perth Wildcats. In 2010/11, import Gary Ervin was named MVP of the league, becoming the first Hawk to win the award since Mike Jones in 1981. In 2013/14, import Rotnei Clarke was named MVP of the league, becoming the third Hawk to win the award.

In July 2014, a new era was ushered in by the Hawks after Telecommunications entrepreneur James Spenceley was successful in his bid to become the organisation's new owner.[6] However, following a dismal 2014/15 season, the organisation was dealt a substantial off-court blow with Wollongong Coal withdrawing their major sponsorship 1½ years into a five-year contract. The Hawks subsequently decided to place themselves into Voluntary Administration on 2 March 2015.[7][8] On 25 March 2015, the Hawks secured Multi Civil and Rail as their major sponsor, as the company committed to a one-year deal.[9]

On 22 June 2015, the organisation announced that the team would revert to its original name, the Illawarra Hawks, to better reflect not only the city of Wollongong, but also the surrounding area including the city of Shellharbour, the town of Kiama and the Wingecarribee Shire.[10][11]

The Hawks logo (2020–2021)

Following long-time coach Gordie McLeod's departure, Rob Beveridge was signed as head coach for the 2015/16 season. He nabbed the trio of New Zealand sharp shooter Kirk Penney, big man AJ Ogilvy, and US point guard Kevin Lisch. The trio were dubbed "the three-headed monster",[12] but they were unsuccessful in leading the Hawks to a championship, falling short in the semi-finals. Lisch was named MVP of the league, becoming the fourth Hawk to win the award.

With Lisch and Penney departing after one season, the Hawks reacquired the serves of Rotnei Clarke for the 2016/17 season. He helped them reach the NBL Grand Final for the first time since 2010, where they were defeated 3–0 by the Perth Wildcats.

On 17 June 2019, high school phenom LaMelo Ball announced on ESPN's The Jump that he will sign with the Illawarra Hawks.[13][14] Ball became the second high school phenom to enter the NBL's Next Stars program for the 2019–20 NBL season, with R. J. Hampton of the New Zealand Breakers being the first. The pair played against each other on 24 October 2019, with the game between the Hawks and the New Zealand Breakers becoming the most watched game in NBL history with nearly two million views globally on Facebook.[15]

In April 2020, the NBL took back the licence for the Illawarra Hawks after the club was placed into voluntary administration.[16] In May 2020, creditors voted to liquidate the Hawks, but the NBL vowed to keep club alive.[17] On 17 June 2020 the NBL announced that Dorry Kordahi, Bryan Colangelo and Michael Proctor had been awarded the license for the club.[18]

Under the agreement with the new ownership, the team was renamed The Hawks, in an effort to broaden the team's appeal in New South Wales.[19][16] The NBL faced fierce backlash to the decision to strip the Illawarra name, and in February 2021 the NBL agreed to allow the club to be renamed the Illawarra Hawks after a successful campaign by the new owners to boost membership and corporate support.[20]

In the 2022–23 season, the Hawks had four imports suffer season-ending injuries: Justin Robinson, George King, Peyton Siva and Michael Frazier II.[21]

In the 2024–25 season, the Hawks earned their first ever minor premiership by finishing on top of the ladder[22] with a 20–9 record.[23][24] They went on to reach the NBL Grand Final with a 2–1 semi-finals series victory over the South East Melbourne Phoenix.[25] In the grand final series, the Hawks and Melbourne United split the first four games, each winning their two games on the road. In a game three loss at home, import Trey Kell suffered a knee injury that ruled him out of game four. In game four in Melbourne, the Hawks lost centre Sam Froling to an Achilles injury in the second quarter but went on to win the game and send the series to game five in Wollongong.[26] Kell returned in game five and alongside William Hickey, helped the Hawks win the championship with a 114–104 series-clinching victory. It marked the Hawks' first championship since 2001.[27][28] The team was subsequently presented with the keys to the city by the City of Wollongong, a common practice when a Wollongong sporting team wins a national title.[29]

## Name, logo and uniforms

[edit]

The team's colours are red and white. The logo consists of a red hawk with large centred text of "Hawks". The Hawk is holding a basketball in its talons. Predominately black uniforms are used for home games, and predominantly white uniforms for away games.

## Home arenas

[edit]

The Hawks play their home games at WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong, which holds a capacity of 6,000 seats when in full basketball format. The Hawks are the only full-time tenants at the arena and have been playing at the arena since the 1998–99 NBL season.

Prior to this season, the Hawks played out of the 2,000 seat Beaton Park Stadium (also known as the Illawarra Basketball Stadium) for twenty seasons starting from the club's inception in 1979. One story that evolved around the NBL during the 1980s was that the Illawarra Steelers rugby league team would sit behind the opposition bench during Hawks home games at Beaton Park in a bid to intimidate the opposing team.[citation needed] The Hawks continue to use the stadium as a training facility and also play some pre-season games there.

The Hawks record home attendance of 5,839 was set on 18 February 2005 against the Sydney Kings at the WIN Entertainment Centre during Round 21 of the 2004–05 NBL season.

* Beaton Park Stadium (1979–1998)
* WIN Entertainment Centre (1998–present)

## Retired jerseys

[edit]

Illawarra Hawks retired numbers

No.  | Nat. | Player  | Position  | Tenure
4 |  | Chuck Harmison | F/C | 1988–1996
5 |  | Gordie McLeod | G | 1979–1982, 1984–1988
12 |  | Glen Saville | G/F | 1995–2007, 2008–2013
32 |  | Mat Campbell | G/F | 1996–2012
33 |  | Melvin Thomas | F | 1992–1995, 1999–2003

Source: Retired Numbers

## Current roster

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.

Illawarra Hawks roster

Players | Coaches
| Pos. | No. | Nat. | Name | Ht. | Wt. |  |

|
|
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|
|
|
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G | 1 |  | Harvey, Tyler (I & C) | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)  | 84 kg (185 lb)  |  |
G/F | 2 |  | Lee Hyun-jung (SRP) | 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)  | 95 kg (209 lb)  |  |
G | 6 |  | Hickey, William | 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)  | 92 kg (203 lb)  |  |
G/F | 9 |  | Swaka Lo Buluk, Wani | 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)  | 88 kg (194 lb)  |  |
G | 10 |  | McDowell-White, Kobe (DP) | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)  |  |  |
G/F | 11 |  | Grida, Daniel | 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in)  | 93 kg (205 lb)  |  |
F/C | 13 |  | Froling, Sam  (C) | 2.13 m (7 ft 0 in)  | 109 kg (240 lb)  |  |
F/C | 19 |  | Yates, Luca (DP) | 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in)  | 102 kg (225 lb)  |  |
F | 21 |  | Blanchfield, Todd | 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)  | 98 kg (216 lb)  |  |
F | 22 |  | Peatling, Mason | 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)  | 105 kg (231 lb)  |  |
F/C | 30 |  | Olbrich, Lachlan | 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in)  | 107 kg (236 lb)  |  |
C |  |  | Froling, Harry (NRP) | 2.10 m (6 ft 11 in)  | 123 kg (271 lb)  |  |

Head coach

*   * Justin Tatum

Assistant coach(es)

*   * Tom Cranney
*   * Matt Flinn
*   * Sam Gruggen
*   * Joel Khalu

Strength & conditioning coach(es)

*   * Alex Moore

* * *

Legend

* (C) Team captain
* (DP) Development player
* (I) Import player
* (TP) Training player
* (SRP) Special restricted player
* (NS) Next Star player
* Injured

* * *

* Roster

Updated: 9 July 2025

### Notable players

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.

Criteria

To appear in this section a player must have either:

* Set a club record or won an individual award while at the club
* Played at least one official international match for their national team at any time
* Played at least one official NBA match at any time.

* David Andersen
* LaMelo Ball
* Adam Ballinger
* Todd Blanchfield
* Josh Boone
* Ray Borner
* Aaron Brooks
* C. J. Bruton
* Mat Campbell
* Adam Caporn
* Gary Clark
* Rotnei Clarke
* Tim Coenraad
* Demitrius Conger
* Mark Dalton
* Larry Davidson
* Darius Days
* Adris De León
* Tyson Demos
* Cody Ellis
* Gary Ervin
* Oscar Forman
* Casey Frank
* Sam Froling
* Cortez Groves
* Tyler Harvey
* Darington Hobson
* Cedric Jackson
* Daniel Jackson
* AJ Johnson
* Mike Jones
* Nick Kay
* / Trey Kell
* Jeremy Kench
* George King
* Lee Hyun-jung
* Kevin Lisch
* / Damon Lowery
* Rhys Martin
* Mangok Mathiang
* Tywain McKee
* Gordon McLeod
* / Darnell Mee
* Todd Mundt
* Luke Nevill
* Mitch Norton
* Andrew Ogilvy
* Doug Overton
* Kirk Penney
* Anthony Petrie
* Duop Reath
* Cameron Rigby
* Glen Saville
* Matt Shanahan
* Justin Simon
* Jim Slacke
* Matt Smith
* Lindsay Tait
* Charles Thomas
* Kevin Tiggs
* Cameron Tragardh
* Jarrad Weeks
* Kevin White

## Coaches

[edit]

There have been twelve different head coaches for the Hawks during their history. Charlie Ammit was the first coach of the Hawks to take the team to a finals series when his side finished fourth in the regular season with a 13–11 record. Brendan Joyce was the first coach to both win the Championship (in 2000–01) and claim runners-up (in 2004–05). He was also the first coach to claim runners-up in the regular season (in 2003–04). Both Joyce (2004–05) and Gordie McLeod (2009–10) have the unfortunate honour of claiming the runners-up prize in both the regular season and finals series in the same year. Eric Cooks became the first captain of the club (1999–00) to also become a coach (2006–2009). McLeod is the only other captain (1980–1982 and 1984–1988) to have accomplished this when took over from Cooks in 2009.

## Season by season

[edit]

NBL champions | League champions | Runners-up | Finals berth

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|
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Season  | Tier  | League  | Regular season  | Post-season  | Head coach  | Captain  | Club MVP

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Finish | Played | Wins | Losses | Win %
Illawarra Hawks
1979 | 1  | NBL | 8th  | 18  | 5  | 13  | .278  | Did not qualify  | Joe Farrugia  | Bob Kubbinga  | not awarded
1980 | 1  | NBL | 6th  | 22  | 13  | 9  | .591  | Did not qualify  | Adrian Hurley | Gordie McLeod | not awarded
1981 | 1  | NBL | 8th  | 22  | 9  | 13  | .409  | Did not qualify  | Joe Farrugia  | Gordie McLeod  | not awarded
1982 | 1  | NBL | 9th  | 26  | 11  | 15  | .423  | Did not qualify  | Tom Pottenger  | Gordie McLeod  | not awarded
1983 | 1  | NBL | 7th  | 22  | 4  | 18  | .182  | Did not qualify  | Charlie Ammit  | Mike Jones | not awarded
1984 | 1  | NBL | 4th  | 24  | 13  | 11  | .542  | Lost elimination final (Newcastle) 101–108  | Charlie Ammit  | Gordie McLeod  | not awarded
1985 | 1  | NBL | 9th  | 26  | 10  | 16  | .385  | Did not qualify  | Ted Weston  | Gordie McLeod  | not awarded
1986 | 1  | NBL | 5th  | 26  | 15  | 11  | .577  | Won elimination final (West Sydney) 105–86
Lost semifinal (Adelaide) 92–116  | Dave Lindstrom  | Gordie McLeod  | not awarded
1987 | 1  | NBL | 3rd  | 26  | 20  | 6  | .769  | Won elimination final (North Melbourne) 105–97
Lost semifinals (Brisbane) 1–2  | Dave Lindstrom  | Gordie McLeod  | not awarded
1988 | 1  | NBL | 7th  | 24  | 11  | 13  | .458  | Did not qualify  | Dave Lindstrom  | Gordie McLeod  | not awarded
1989 | 1  | NBL | 11th  | 24  | 7  | 17  | .292  | Did not qualify  | Dave Lindstrom  | Chuck Harmison | Norman Taylor
1990 | 1  | NBL | 8th  | 26  | 13  | 13  | .500  | Did not qualify  | Dave Lindstrom  | Chuck Harmison  | Norman Taylor
1991 | 1  | NBL | 13th  | 26  | 6  | 20  | .231  | Did not qualify  | Dave Lindstrom  | Chuck Harmison  | Norman Taylor
1992 | 1  | NBL | 5th  | 24  | 13  | 11  | .542  | Lost quarterfinals (North Melbourne) 0–2  | Dave Lindstrom  | Chuck Harmison  | Doug Overton
1993 | 1  | NBL | 6th  | 26  | 15  | 11  | .577  | Lost quarterfinals (Melbourne) 0–2  | Alan Black | Chuck Harmison  | Melvin Thomas
1994 | 1  | NBL | 8th  | 26  | 13  | 13  | .500  | Lost quarterfinals (Melbourne) 0–2  | Alan Black  | Chuck Harmison  | Melvin Thomas
1995 | 1  | NBL | 7th  | 26  | 14  | 12  | .538  | Lost quarterfinals (S.E. Melbourne) 1–2  | Alan Black  | Chuck Harmison  | Melvin Thomas
1996 | 1  | NBL | 10th  | 26  | 9  | 17  | .346  | Did not qualify  | Brendan Joyce | Chuck Harmison  | Terry Johnson
1997 | 1  | NBL | 11th  | 30  | 7  | 23  | .233  | Did not qualify  | Brendan Joyce  | Matt Zauner  | Clayton Ritter
Wollongong Hawks
1998 | 1  | NBL | 6th  | 30  | 14  | 16  | .467  | Lost elimination finals (Perth) 0–2  | Brendan Joyce  | Clayton Ritter  | Clayton Ritter
1998–99 | 1  | NBL | 3rd  | 26  | 16  | 10  | .615  | Lost qualifying finals (Victoria) 0–2
Lost semifinals (Adelaide) 0–2  | Brendan Joyce  | Clayton Ritter  | C. J. Bruton
1999–2000 | 1  | NBL | 7th  | 28  | 11  | 17  | .393  | Did not qualify  | Brendan Joyce  | Eric Cooks  | Glen Saville
Melvin Thomas
2000–01 | 1  | NBL | 4th  | 28  | 21  | 7  | .750  | Won qualifying finals (Perth) 2–1
Won semifinals (Adelaide) 2–1
Won NBL finals (Townsville) 2–1  | Brendan Joyce  | Mat Campbell
Glen Saville  | Glen Saville
2001–02 | 1  | NBL | 4th  | 30  | 16  | 14  | .533  | Lost qualifying finals (Adelaide) 0–2  | Brendan Joyce  | Mat Campbell
Glen Saville  | Glen Saville
2002–03 | 1  | NBL | 4th  | 30  | 18  | 12  | .600  | Won qualifying finals (Townsville) 2–0
Lost semifinals (Perth) 0–2  | Brendan Joyce  | Mat Campbell
Glen Saville  | Glen Saville
2003–04 | 1  | NBL | 2nd  | 33  | 25  | 8  | .758  | Lost semifinals (West Sydney) 0–2  | Brendan Joyce  | Mat Campbell  | Glen Saville
2004–05 | 1  | NBL | 2nd  | 32  | 20  | 12  | .625  | Won semifinals (Townsville) 2–0
Lost NBL finals (Sydney) 0–3  | Brendan Joyce  | Mat Campbell  | Glen Saville
2005–06 | 1  | NBL | 3rd  | 32  | 19  | 13  | .594  | Lost quarterfinal (Perth) 101–121  | Brendan Joyce  | Rotating captaincy | Cortez Groves
2006–07 | 1  | NBL | 9th  | 33  | 11  | 22  | .333  | Did not qualify  | Brendan Joyce
Eric Cooks  | Glen Saville  | Adam Ballinger
2007–08 | 1  | NBL | 11th  | 30  | 9  | 21  | .300  | Did not qualify  | Eric Cooks  | Mat Campbell  | Kavossy Franklin
2008–09 | 1  | NBL | 7th  | 30  | 11  | 19  | .367  | Did not qualify  | Eric Cooks  | Mat Campbell  | Glen Saville
2009–10 | 1  | NBL | 2nd  | 28  | 16  | 12  | .571  | Won semifinals (Townsville) 2–1
Lost NBL finals (Perth) 1–2  | Gordie McLeod  | Mat Campbell  | Larry Davidson
2010–11 | 1  | NBL | 5th  | 28  | 15  | 13  | .536  | Did not qualify  | Gordie McLeod  | Mat Campbell  | Gary Ervin
2011–12 | 1  | NBL | 8th  | 28  | 9  | 19  | .321  | Did not qualify  | Gordie McLeod  | Mat Campbell  | Oscar Forman
2012–13 | 1  | NBL | 3rd  | 28  | 13  | 15  | .464  | Lost semifinals (Perth) 0–2  | Gordie McLeod  | Oscar Forman  | Adris Deleon
2013–14 | 1  | NBL | 4th  | 28  | 13  | 15  | .464  | Lost semifinals (Perth) 0–2  | Gordie McLeod  | Oscar Forman  | Rotnei Clarke
2014–15 | 1  | NBL | 8th  | 28  | 6  | 22  | .214  | Did not qualify  | Gordie McLeod  | Oscar Forman  | Tim Coenraad
Illawarra Hawks
2015–16 | 1  | NBL | 3rd  | 28  | 17  | 11  | .607  | Lost semifinals (Perth) 1–2  | Rob Beveridge | Oscar Forman  | Kevin Lisch
2016–17 | 1  | NBL | 4th  | 28  | 15  | 13  | .536  | Won semifinals (Adelaide) 2–1
Lost NBL finals (Perth) 0–3  | Rob Beveridge  | Oscar Forman  | Rotnei Clarke
2017–18 | 1  | NBL | 5th  | 28  | 12  | 16  | .429  | Did not qualify  | Rob Beveridge  | Kevin White | Demitrius Conger
2018–19 | 1  | NBL | 7th  | 28  | 12  | 16  | .429  | Did not qualify  | Rob Beveridge  | Kevin White  | Todd Blanchfield
2019–20 | 1  | NBL | 9th  | 28  | 5  | 23  | .179  | Did not qualify  | Matt Flinn  | David Andersen
Todd Blanchfield  | Todd Blanchfield
2020–21 | 1  | NBL | 3rd  | 36  | 20  | 16  | .556  | Lost semifinals (Perth) 1–2  | Brian Goorjian | Andrew Ogilvy | Tyler Harvey
2021–22 | 1  | NBL | 2nd  | 28  | 19  | 9  | .679  | Lost semifinals (Sydney) 0–2  | Brian Goorjian  | Andrew Ogilvy  | Duop Reath
2022–23 | 1  | NBL | 10th  | 28  | 3  | 25  | .107  | Did not qualify  | Jacob Jackomas  | Sam Froling
Tyler Harvey  | Sam Froling
2023–24 | 1  | NBL | 4th  | 28  | 14  | 14  | .500  | Lost seeding qualifier (Tasmania) 76–92
Won play-in game (New Zealand) 88–85
Lost semifinals (Melbourne) 1–2  | Jacob Jackomas
Justin Tatum | Sam Froling
Tyler Harvey  | Gary Clark
2024–25 | 1  | NBL | 1st | 29  | 20  | 9  | .690  | Won semifinals (S.E. Melbourne) 2–1
Won NBL finals (Melbourne) 3–2  | Justin Tatum  | Sam Froling
Tyler Harvey  | Sam Froling
Tyler Harvey
Trey Kell
Regular season record  | 1289  | 608  | 681  | .472  | 1 regular season champions
Finals record  | 82  | 28  | 54  | .341  | 2 NBL championships

As of the end of the 2024–25 season

*Note: In 1983 and 1984, the NBL was split into Eastern and Western divisions during the regular season.

Source:[1]

## Honour roll

[edit]

NBL Championships:  | 2 (2001, 2025)

|

NBL Regular Season Champions:  | 1 (2025)
NBL Finals Appearances:  | 24 (1984, 1986, 1987, 1993, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003,2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025)
NBL Grand Final Appearances:  | 5 (2001, 2005, 2010, 2017, 2025)
NBL Most Valuable Player:  | Mike Jones (1981), Gary Ervin (2011), Rotnei Clarke (2014), Kevin Lisch (2016)
NBL Grand Final MVP:  | Glen Saville (2001)
NBL Coach of the Year:  | David Lindstrom (1987), Alan Black (1993, 1995), Brendan Joyce (1999, 2001), Gordie McLeod (2010, 2014), Justin Tatum (2025)
NBL Rookie of the Year:  | Greg Hubbard (1987), Justin Withers (1989), Axel Dench (2001), LaMelo Ball (2020)
NBL Next Generation Award:  | Sam Froling (2024)
NBL Most Improved Player Award:  | C. J. Bruton (1999), Cameron Tragardh (2008), Oscar Forman (2011), Sam Froling (2021)
NBL Best Defensive Player Award:  | Glen Saville (2003), Darnell Mee (2005), Kevin Lisch (2016), Justin Simon (2021), Antonius Cleveland (2022)
NBL Best Sixth Man Award:  | Adris Deleon (2013), Kevin Tiggs (2014), Rotnei Clarke (2017)
NBL Scoring leaders:  | Mike Jones (1981, 1983), Cortez Groves (2006)
All-NBL First Team:  | Doug Overton (1992), Melvin Thomas (1993), Darnell Mee (2005), Cortez Groves (2006), Tywain McKee (2010), Gary Ervin (2011), Rotnei Clarke (2014), Kevin Lisch (2016), Andrew Ogilvy (2016, 2017), Demitrius Conger (2018), Tyler Harvey (2021, 2025), Antonius Cleveland (2022), Gary Clark (2024), Trey Kell (2025)
All-NBL Second Team:  | Butch Hays (1993), Melvin Thomas (1994, 1995), Clayton Ritter (1998), C.J. Bruton (1999), Glen Saville (2003, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2011), Cortez Groves (2007), Kirk Penney (2016), Sam Froling (2025)
All-NBL Third Team:  | Melvin Thomas (1992, 2001), Butch Hays (1994), Glen Saville (2001, 2006, 2010), Cortez Groves (2003), Darnell Mee (2004), Adam Ballinger (2007), Kavossy Franklin (2008), Larry Davidson (2010), Cameron Tragardh (2010)

Source: NBL AWARD WINNERS Archived 13 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine

## Records and statistics

[edit]

All-time records

Most games | 527 | Glen Saville[30]
Most points | 6865 | Glen Saville
Most rebounds | 4041 | Glen Saville
Most assists | 1847 | Glen Saville
Most steals | 776 | Glen Saville
Most blocks | 423 | Glen Saville
Most field goals | 2511 | Glen Saville
Most 3-pointers | 1049 | Mat Campbell
Most free throws | 1163 | Glen Saville
Game records
Most points in a game | 54 | Norman Taylor, 18 May 1990
Most 3-pointers made in a game | 10 | Charles Thomas, 29 December 2001
Most assists in a game | 18 | Gordie McLeod, twice
Most blocks in a game | 7 | 3 players
Most steals in a game | 9 | Elliot Hatcher, 13 March 1998
Most rebounds in a game | 23 | Ray Borner, 9 May 1987
Source: andthefoul.net

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Season by Season". HawksHistory.com.au. Archived from the original on 6 August 2010. "Playing Venue: Wollongong / WIN Entertainment Centre - The Sandpit"
2. ^ "FLASHBACK 4: August, 1977, ABM". botinagy.com. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
3. ^ Barrow, Tim (24 February 2016). "Lowery believes in Hawks' title destiny". illawarramercury.com.au. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
4. ^ "2000/01 - Wollongong Hawks : NBL Champions". hawkshistory.com.au. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
5. ^ "WW - 36ers V Hawks, April 16, 2001". botinagy.com. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
6. ^ "Hawks under new Ownership". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
7. ^ "Hawks Announcement". Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
8. ^ "Wollongong Hawks Announcement". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
9. ^ Wollongong Hawks land new sponsor
10. ^ Hawks revert to original Illawarra moniker
11. ^ "We're the Illawarra Hawks and we're flying to the top #FlyYouHawks". Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
12. ^ Illawarra Hawks on how they got their wings back
13. ^ @espn (17 June 2019). ""I'm trying to be the No. 1 pick for..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
14. ^ "Illawarra Hawks Sign LaMelo Ball". Illawarra Hawks. 17 June 2019. Archived from the original on 10 March 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
15. ^ "New Zealand v Illawarra Most Watched Game in NBL History". NBL.com.au. 25 October 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
16. ^ a b "Statement on Illawarra Hawks Ownership". NBL.com.au. 3 April 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
17. ^ Phillips, Sam (18 May 2020). "Creditors vote to liquidate Illawarra Hawks but NBL vows to keep club alive". SMH.com.au. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
18. ^ "Hawks Set to Soar as New Owners Take Charge". nbl.com.au. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
19. ^ "Illawarra to be dumped from NBL team name under new Hawks ownership group". illawarramercury.com.au. 16 June 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
20. ^ "'Illawarra' back where it belongs as first home game looms". illawarramercury.com.au. 9 February 2021.
21. ^ "Michael Frazier II Injury Update". hawks.com.au. 8 January 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
22. ^ "Hawks secure first regular season crown". NBL Official Website. 5 February 2025. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
23. ^ "Hawks complete season sweep of Kings". NBL Official Website. 7 February 2025. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
24. ^ Pike, Chris (7 February 2025). "Hawks' motivation to finish high". NBL Official Website. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
25. ^ "Hawks dominate Phoenix in Game 3". NBL Official Website. 5 March 2025. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
26. ^ "Hawks survive with win for the ages". NBL Official Website. 19 March 2025. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
27. ^ "Hawks clinch second NBL championship". NBL Official Website. 23 March 2025. Retrieved 23 March 2025.
28. ^ "Kell, Hickey star as Hawks claim drought-breaking NBL title". ESPN.com. 23 March 2025. Retrieved 23 March 2025.
29. ^ Humphries, Glen (7 April 2025). "It's official: Hawks to get keys to the city". Illawarra Mercury. Archived from the original on 8 April 2025. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
30. ^ Glen Saville announces his retirement from the National Basketball League

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Illawarra Hawks

Est. 1979 in Wollongong, New South Wales

Franchise|

* History

Arenas|

* Beaton Park Stadium
* Wollongong Entertainment Centre

League|

* NBL

Retired numbers (5)|

* 4
* 5
* 12
* 32
* 33

NBL Championships (1)|

* 2001

NBL runners-up (2)|

* 2005
* 2010

Rivals|

* Cairns Taipans
* Sydney Kings

Important figures|

* Larry Davidson
* Chuck Harmison
* Geordie McLeod
* Melvin Thomas
* Mat Campbell
* Glen Saville
* Oscar Forman

Sponsors|

* ahm Health Insurance
* Gujarat NRE
* Illawarra Mercury
* WIN
* McDonald's
* i98FM
* imb

Seasons (48)

1970s|

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  1979

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1980s|

|  1980 |  1981 |  1982 |  1983 |  1984 |  1985 |  1986 |  1987 |  1988 |  1989

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1990s|

|  1990 |  1991 |  1992 |  1993 |  1994 |  1995 |  1996 |  1997 |  1998 |  1998–99

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2000s|

|  1999–00 |  2000–01 |  2001–02 |  2002-03 |  2003–04 |  2004–05 |  2005–06 |  2006–07 |  2007–08 |  2008–09

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2010s|

|  2009–10 |  2010–11 |  2011–12 |  2012–13 |  2013–14 |  2014–15 |  2015–16 |  2016–17 |  2017–18 |  2018–19

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2020s|

|  2019–20 |  2020–21 |  2021–22 |  2022–23 |  2023–24 |  2024–25 |  2025–26 |  |  |

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* v
* t
* e

National Basketball League

Current clubs|

* Adelaide 36ers
* Brisbane Bullets
* Cairns Taipans
* Illawarra Hawks
* Melbourne United
* New Zealand Breakers
* Perth Wildcats
* S.E. Melbourne Phoenix
* Sydney Kings
* Tasmania JackJumpers

Associated|

* Big V
* NBL1
* NZNBL
* WNBL

Annual events|

* Boxing Day
* Championship Series
* List of Finals
* MVP
* NBL Blitz
* NBL Cup
* NBL Finals
* NBL Ignite Cup
* NBLxNBA

Related|

* Basketball Australia

Others|

* Arenas
* Awards
* Champions
* Current rosters
* Defunct teams
* Hall of Fame
* NBL Overtime
* Records
* Seasons

Links to related articles

* v
* t
* e

National Basketball League

Current clubs|

* Adelaide 36ers
* Brisbane Bullets
* Cairns Taipans
* Illawarra Hawks
* Melbourne United
* New Zealand Breakers
* Perth Wildcats
* S.E. Melbourne Phoenix
* Sydney Kings
* Tasmania JackJumpers

Associated|

* Big V
* NBL1
* NZNBL
* WNBL

Annual events|

* Boxing Day
* Championship Series
* List of Finals
* MVP
* NBL Blitz
* NBL Cup
* NBL Finals
* NBL Ignite Cup
* NBLxNBA

Related|

* Basketball Australia

Others|

* Arenas
* Awards
* Champions
* Current rosters
* Defunct teams
* Hall of Fame
* NBL Overtime
* Records
* Seasons

* v
* t
* e

Sporting teams based in Wollongong

Australian football|

* Figtree
* Illawarra Lions
* Northern Districts
* UOW

Basketball|

* Illawarra Hawks (NBL)

Rugby league|

* St. George Illawarra Dragons (NRL)
* St. George Illawarra Dragons Women (NRLW)
* Collegians Collie Dogs (IRL)
* Corrimal Cougars (IRL)
* Dapto Canaries (IRL)
* Helensburgh Tigers (IRL)
* Thirroul Butchers (IRL)
* Western Suburbs Red Devils (IRL)
* Avondale Greyhounds (IRL)
* Berkeley Eagles (IRL)
* Figtree Crushers (IRL)
* Mount Kembla Lowries (IRL)
* Northern Suburbs Bulldogs (IRL)
* Windang Sharks (IRL)
* Port Kembla Blacks (IRL)
* Woonona-Bulli Bushrangers (IRL)

Soccer|

* Wollongong Wolves (NPL NSW)
* Safeway United † (NPL NSW)
* Balgownie Rangers (IDL)
* Bulli FC (IPL)
* Cringila Lions (IPL)
* Port Kembla (IPL)
* South Coast United (IPL)
* Wollongong Olympic (IPL)
* Wollongong United (IPL)
* Illawarra Stingrays (NPLW)

Related topics|

* Sport in Wollongong
* Sport in New South Wales

* v
* t
* e

Wollongong Hawks 2000–01 NBL Champions

* 4 Charles Thomas
* 5 Matt Shanahan
* 7 Luke Doherty
* 8 Damon Lowery
* 10 Kane Riley-Henderson
* 11 Grant Kruger
* 12 Glen Saville (C) (Grand Final MVP)
* 22 Josh Woods
* 30 Axel Dench
* 32 Mat Campbell (C)
* 33 Melvin Thomas
* 44 Matt Garrison

* Head coach Brendan Joyce

* Assistant coach
* Eric Lowe
* Eric Cooks
* Tom Penrose

* Team Manager Dave Leske

* v
* t
* e

Illawarra Hawks 2024–25 NBL Champions

* 0 Darius Days (I)
* 1 Tyler Harvey (I & C)
* 2 Lee Hyun-jung (SRP)
* 3 Trey Kell (I)
* 6 William Hickey
* 7 Zac Triplett
* 8 Kuany Kuany (TP)
* 9 Wani Swaka Lo Buluk
* 10 Kobe McDowell-White (DP)
* 11 Daniel Grida
* 13 Sam Froling (C)
* 19 Luca Yates (DP)
* 21 Todd Blanchfield
* 22 Mason Peatling
* 25 Brad Ballinger
* 30 Lachlan Olbrich

* Head coach Justin Tatum

* Assistant coach
* Tom Cranney
* Matt Flinn
* Sam Gruggen
* Joel Khalu

*[Pos.]: Position(s)
*[No.]: Jersey number
*[Nat.]: Nationality
*[Ht.]: Height
*[Wt.]: Weight
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template