2023–24 Illawarra Hawks season

2023–24 Illawarra Hawks season
Head coachUnited States Justin Tatum
Co-captainsAustralia Sam Froling
United States Tyler Harvey
ArenaWollongong Entertainment Centre
NBL results
Record14–14 (50%)
Ladder4th
Finals finishSemifinalist
(lost to United 1–2)
Stats at NBL.com.au
Player records
PointsUnited States Clark
16.7
ReboundsAustralia Froling
7.9
AssistsUnited States Robinson
4.4
All statistics correct as of 13 March 2024.

The 2023–24 Illawarra Hawks season was the 46th season of the franchise in the National Basketball League (NBL).

On 13 May 2023, the Hawks have picked up Jacob Jackomas’s second year team option.[1] On 14 November 2023, Jacob Jackomas was released as Hawks' head coach after the team started the season with a 2–7 record and was replaced by Justin Tatum on an interim basis.[2] On 22 February 2024, prior to the Hawks' playoff campaign, Tatum signed a three-year deal with Illawarra to continue as permanent head coach.[3][4]

Roster

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

2023–24 Illawarra Hawks roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Wt. Age
G 1 United States Harvey, Tyler (C & I) 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 84 kg (185 lb) 31 – (1993-07-17)17 July 1993
G/F 2 South Korea Lee Hyun-jung (SRP) 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) 95 kg (209 lb) 24 – (2000-10-23)23 October 2000
G 3 United States Robinson, Justin (I) 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) 88 kg (194 lb) 27 – (1997-08-12)12 August 1997
G 6 Australia Hickey, William 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) 92 kg (203 lb) 25 – (1999-01-18)18 January 1999
G 7 United States Johnson, AJ (NS) 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 73 kg (161 lb) 20 – (2004-12-01)1 December 2004
F 8 United States Clark, Gary (I) 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 102 kg (225 lb) 30 – (1994-11-16)16 November 1994
G/F 9 Australia Swaka Lo Buluk, Wani 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 88 kg (194 lb) 23 – (2001-06-09)9 June 2001
G 10 Australia Adnam, Kyle (NRP) 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) 84 kg (185 lb) 31 – (1993-11-18)18 November 1993
G/F 11 Australia Grida, Daniel Injured 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) 93 kg (205 lb) 26 – (1998-04-26)26 April 1998
F/C 13 Australia Froling, Sam (C) 2.13 m (7 ft 0 in) 109 kg (240 lb) 24 – (2000-02-10)10 February 2000
G 14 Australia Bayles, Biwali (DP) 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) 84 kg (185 lb) 22 – (2002-02-15)15 February 2002
F/C 19 Australia Yates, Luca (DP) 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) 102 kg (225 lb) 20 – (2004-01-29)29 January 2004
G/F 21 Australia Blanchfield, Todd 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 98 kg (216 lb) 33 – (1991-11-07)7 November 1991
F 22 Australia Peatling, Mason 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) 105 kg (231 lb) 27 – (1997-03-31)31 March 1997
F 28 Australia Morris, Harry (DP) 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 97 kg (214 lb) 22 – (2002-07-10)10 July 2002
F 30 Australia Olbrich, Lachlan 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) 107 kg (236 lb) 20 – (2003-12-30)30 December 2003
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
  • Australia Joel Khalu
  • Australia Lachlan Lonergan
  • Australia Shaun Roger
Strength & conditioning coach(es)
  • Australia Alex Moore
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Development player
  • (IN) Inactive
  • (I) Import player
  • (SRP) Special restricted player
  • (NS) Next Star player
  • Injured Injured
Updated: 22 January 2024

Depth chart

Pos. Starting 5 Bench 1 Bench 2 Development
PG Justin Robinson William Hickey AJ Johnson Biwali Bayles
SG Tyler Harvey Lee Hyun-jung Wani Swaka Lo Buluk Kyle Adnam
SF Todd Blanchfield Daniel Grida Harry Morris
PF Gary Clark Mason Peatling
C Sam Froling Lachlan Olbrich Luca Yates

Standings

Ladder

Pos 2023–24 NBL season
Team Pld W L PCT Last 5 Streak Home Away PF PA PP
1 Melbourne United 28 20 8 71.43% 3–2 W1 11–3 9–5 2615 2454 106.56%
2 Perth Wildcats 28 17 11 60.71% 2–3 L2 10–4 7–7 2630 2563 102.61%
3 Tasmania JackJumpers 28 16 12 57.14% 4–1 W4 8–6 8–6 2564 2378 107.82%
4 Illawarra Hawks 28 14 14 50.00% 3–2 L1 8–6 6–8 2547 2518 101.15%
5 Sydney Kings 28 13 15 46.43% 2–3 W1 7–7 6–8 2672 2602 102.69%
6 New Zealand Breakers 28 13 15 46.43% 3–2 L1 8–6 5–9 2498 2480 100.73%
7 Brisbane Bullets 28 13 15 46.43% 2–3 L1 8–6 5–9 2458 2534 97.00%
8 Cairns Taipans 28 12 16 42.86% 1–4 W1 7–7 5–9 2506 2589 96.79%
9 Adelaide 36ers 28 12 16 42.86% 3–2 W1 9–5 3–11 2457 2563 95.86%
10 S.E. Melbourne Phoenix 28 10 18 35.71% 1–4 L4 7–7 3–11 2425 2691 90.12%

Updated to match(es) played on 18 February 2024. Source: NBL.com.au

The NBL tie-breaker system as outlined in the NBL Rules and Regulations states that in the case of an identical win–loss record, the overall points percentage will determine order of seeding.

Ladder progression

Leader and qualification to semifinals
Qualification to semifinals
Qualification to play-in games
Last place
2023–24 NBL season
Team ╲ Round1234567891011121314151617181920
Adelaide 36ers9101097888910101010101099999
Brisbane Bullets12676576667996545657
Cairns Taipans86343767776679767888
Illawarra Hawks10891091010101088885686444
Melbourne United31111111111111111111
New Zealand Breakers475610999899768978766
Perth Wildcats65888654353222222222
S.E. Melbourne Phoenix5975234553555781010101010
Sydney Kings23234222442434454575
Tasmania JackJumpers74425433224343333333
Updated to match(es) played on 18 February 2024. Source: NBL.com.au

Game log

Pre-season

Main article: 2023 NBL pre-season
2023 NBL Blitz game log
Total: 2–1 (Home: 1–0; Road: 1–1)
September: 2–1 (Home: 1–0; Road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 18 September @ Melbourne L 85–71 Mason Peatling (13) Sam Froling (10) Tyler Harvey (4) Gold Coast Convention Centre
n/a 		0–1
2 20 September @ Brisbane W 88–95 Lachlan Olbrich (20) Sam Froling (6) four players (3) Gold Coast Convention Centre
n/a 		1–1
3 22 September Cairns W 108–90 Lachlan Olbrich (18) Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (7) Lachlan Olbrich (5) Gold Coast Convention Centre
n/a 		2–1

Regular season

Main article: 2023–24 NBL regular season
2023–24 game log
Total: 14–14 (Home: 8–6; Road: 6–8)
September: 0–1 (Home: 0–1; Road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 30 September Sydney L 81–96 Tyler Harvey (19) Sam Froling (11) Justin Robinson (4) Wollongong Entertainment Centre
4,322 		0–1
October: 2–4 (Home: 2–1; Road: 0–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
2 7 October S.E. Melbourne W 113–106 Justin Robinson (26) Froling, Swaka Lo Buluk (8) Justin Robinson (7) Wollongong Entertainment Centre
3,590 		1–1
3 12 October @ Tasmania L 103–73 Gary Clark (16) Sam Froling (10) Justin Robinson (6) Derwent Entertainment Centre
4,340 		1–2
4 14 October @ Adelaide L 89–80 Sam Froling (21) Gary Clark (11) Justin Robinson (4) Adelaide Entertainment Centre
9,108 		1–3
5 20 October Melbourne L 91–101 Tyler Harvey (19) Gary Clark (9) Justin Robinson (5) Wollongong Entertainment Centre
2,927 		1–4
6 26 October Cairns W 84–83 Tyler Harvey (20) Sam Froling (13) Tyler Harvey (5) Wollongong Entertainment Centre
1,923 		2–4
7 29 October @ Melbourne L 96–84 Gary Clark (24) three players (4) Justin Robinson (9) John Cain Arena
9,067 		2–5
November: 1–2 (Home: 0–1; Road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
8 3 November Sydney L 83–103 Gary Clark (23) Sam Froling (11) Justin Robinson (4) Wollongong Entertainment Centre
3,934 		2–6
9 11 November @ Cairns L 81–71 Gary Clark (19) Sam Froling (10) Tyler Harvey (4) Cairns Convention Centre
4,614 		2–7
10 19 November @ New Zealand W 65–69 Froling, Harvey (16) Sam Froling (12) Justin Robinson (4) Spark Arena
5,703 		3–7
December: 4–2 (Home: 2–1; Road: 2–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
11 3 December @ Brisbane L 78–77 Clark, Robinson (13) Gary Clark (9) Olbrich, Robinson (4) Nissan Arena
3,572 		3–8
12 8 December Perth W 100–82 Sam Froling (21) Sam Froling (10) Tyler Harvey (7) Wollongong Entertainment Centre
2,921 		4–8
13 16 December @ S.E. Melbourne W 72–100 Tyler Harvey (25) Gary Clark (13) Justin Robinson (5) Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium
3,082 		5–8
14 23 December Tasmania L 89–100 Sam Froling (22) Sam Froling (11) Harvey, Robinson (5) Wollongong Entertainment Centre
4,037 		5–9
15 25 December @ Sydney W 90–94 Sam Froling (20) Lachlan Olbrich (10) Justin Robinson (5) Sydney SuperDome
8,578 		6–9
16 31 December Adelaide W 91–84 Justin Robinson (19) Gary Clark (12) three players (3) Wollongong Entertainment Centre
5,101 		7–9
January: 4–3 (Home: 2–2; Road: 2–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
17 5 January S.E. Melbourne W 116–78 Sam Froling (20) Gary Clark (13) Gary Clark (4) Wollongong Entertainment Centre
4,079 		8–9
18 12 January @ Tasmania W 107–108 (2OT) Gary Clark (25) Gary Clark (15) Justin Robinson (5) Derment Entertainment Centre
4,340 		9–9
19 14 January @ Brisbane L 110–103 Tyler Harvey (29) Gary Clark (8) Clark, Robinson (3) Nissan Arena
5,500 		9–10
20 18 January Cairns L 92–93 Gary Clark (36) Sam Froling (11) Tyler Harvey (6) Wollongong Entertainment Centre
3,711 		9–11
21 20 January Adelaide L 89–96 Hyunjung Lee (24) Sam Froling (10) Tyler Harvey (4) Wollongong Entertainment Centre
3,555 		9–12
22 25 January @ Perth W 77–95 Gary Clark (17) Lachlan Olbrich (7) Harvey, Robinson (4) Perth Arena
12,771 		10–12
23 28 January New Zealand W 89–85 Gary Clark (29) Gary Clark (8) Froling, Robinson (4) Wollongong Entertainment Centre
4,239 		11–12
February: 3–2 (Home: 2–0; Road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
24 3 February Brisbane W 89–76 Gary Clark (19) Gary Clark (10) Justin Robinson (5) Wollongong Entertainment Centre
4,991 		12–12
25 9 February @ New Zealand L 88–85 Tyler Harvey (22) Sam Froling (10) Justin Robinson (4) Spark Arena
3,941 		12–13
26 11 February @ Sydney W 95–106 Gary Clark (22) Sam Froling (11) Harvey, Robinson (5) Sydney SuperDome
14,832 		13–13
27 15 February Perth W 108–92 Gary Clark (26) Gary Clark (11) Justin Robinson (5) Wollongong Entertainment Centre
4,486 		14–13
28 18 February @ Melbourne L 92–87 Justin Robinson (14) Sam Froling (9) Froling, Robinson (5) John Cain Arena
10,175 		14–14
2023–24 season schedule

Postseason

Main article: 2024 NBL Finals
2024 finals game log
Total: 2–3 (Home: 2–0; Road: 0–3)
Seeding qualifier: 0–1 (Home: 0–0; Road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 28 February @ Tasmania L 92–76 Gary Clark (21) Gary Clark (10) Justin Robinson (3) Derwent Entertainment Centre
4,340 		0–1
Play-in game: 1–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 4 March New Zealand W 88–85 Justin Robinson (26) Sam Froling (9) Justin Robinson (3) Wollongong Entertainment Centre
5,178 		1–0
Semifinals: 1–2 (Home: 1–0; Road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 7 March @ Melbourne L 115–106 (OT) Sam Froling (26) Gary Clark (12) Justin Robinson (7) John Cain Arena
8,232 		0–1
2 10 March Melbourne W 113–108 (OT) Gary Clark (31) Gary Clark (16) Sam Froling (4) Wollongong Entertainment Centre
5,631 		1–1
3 13 March @ Melbourne L 100–94 Sam Froling (23) Clark, Hickey (6) Justin Robinson (7) John Cain Arena
6,288 		1–2
2024 finals schedule

Transactions

Re-signed

Player Date Signed Contract Ref.
Justin Robinson 31 January 2023 1-year deal [5]
William Hickey 21 February 2023 1-year deal [6]
Daniel Grida 18 March 2023 2-year deal [7]
Harry Morris 29 March 2023 1-year deal [8]

Additions

Player Date Signed Contract Former team Ref.
Lachlan Olbrich 4 April 2023 3-year deal UC Riverside Highlanders [9]
Mason Peatling 5 April 2023 2-year deal Melbourne United [10]
AJ Johnson 14 April 2023 1-year deal (next star) Texas Longhorns [11]
Biwali Bayles 14 April 2023 2-year deal Sydney Kings [12]
Gary Clark 24 June 2024 1-year deal Capitanes de Ciudad de México [13]
Todd Blanchfield 28 June 2023 2-year deal Perth Wildcats [14]
Luca Yates 8 July 2023 3-year deal (club option) Townsville Heat [15]
Lee Hyun-jung 11 July 2023 3-year deal (club option) Santa Cruz Warriors [16]
Kyle Adnam 16 January 2024 1-year deal (NRP) CSU Sibiu [17]

Subtractions

Player Reason left Date Left New team Ref.
Kevin White Retired 2 February 2023 n/a [18]
Tim Coenraad Retired 3 February 2023 n/a [19]
Akoldah Gak Free agent 10 April 2023 Cairns Taipans [20]
Mangok Mathiang Free agent 13 June 2023 New Zealand Breakers [21]
Alex Mudronja Free agent 8 August 2023 Cairns Taipans [22]

Awards

Club awards

See also

References

  1. ^ "Hawks Confirm NBL24 Coaching Roster". Hawks.com.au. 13 May 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Hawks sack coach Jackomas amid NBL struggles". ESPN.com.au. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  3. ^ Jennings, Mitch (22 February 2024). "Illawarra Hawks sign coach Justin Tatum to long-term deal in Wollongong". Illawarra Mercury. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024.
  4. ^ Uluc, Olgun (22 February 2024). "Justin Tatum signs on as Hawks head coach". ESPN.com.au. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Robinson Returns to Lead the Hawks NBL24 Campaign". Hawks.com.au. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  6. ^ "Hickey Rewarded with New Hawks Deal". Hawks.com.au. 21 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  7. ^ "Hawk Grida Signs New Deal". NBL.com.au. 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  8. ^ "Hawks Local Extends Illawarra Stay". NBL.com.au. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  9. ^ "Lachlan Olbrich to Launch NBL Career with the Hawks". Hawks.com.au. 4 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  10. ^ "Mason Peatling Joins the Illawarra Hawks on Two-Year Deal". Hawks.com.au. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  11. ^ "A.J. Johnson decommits from Texas, to join Australia's NBL". ESPN.com. 14 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  12. ^ "Illawarra Hawks sign Biwali Bayles on NBL24 development contract". IllawarraMercury.com.au. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  13. ^ "Hawks sign NBA journeyman Gary Clark as final import". ESPN.com.au. 24 June 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  14. ^ "Todd Blanchfield Returns to the Illawarra Hawks". Hawks.com.au. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  15. ^ "Hawks Ink DP to Three-Year Deal". NBL.com.au. 8 July 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  16. ^ "Hawks Welcome Korean Sharpshooter Hyunjung Lee". Hawks.com.au. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  17. ^ "Kyle Adnam joins the Hawks". Hawks.com.au. 16 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  18. ^ "Thanks, Whitey". Hawks.com.au. 2 February 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  19. ^ "Tim Coenraad Calls Time". Hawks.com.au. 25 March 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  20. ^ "Taipans get Gak". Taipans.com. 10 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  21. ^ "NZ Breakers hail signing of 'under-rated' Mangok Mathiang for '23-24 NBL season". Stuff.co.nz. 13 June 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  22. ^ "Taipans announce development players". Taipans.com. 8 August 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  23. ^ "Gary Clark has been announced as the Illawarra Hawks NBL24 MVP". Hawks.com.au. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.