Hawks’ Offseason Priority Revealed

Friday, January 13, 2023

Illawarra Hawks General Manager Mat Campbell has revealed signing a marquee player is one of the club’s top priorities heading into the offseason.

The Hawks have won just two games from 21 attempts this season, languishing at the bottom of the ladder.

Illawarra has suffered countless heartbreaking defeats and been decimated by injuries, with imports Justin Robinson, George King, Peyton Siva and Michael Frazier II all suffering season ending ailments.

As attention shifts to how the Hawks can revamp the roster for next season, Campbell has his eyes sight on some big names, including some who will be familiar to NBL fans.

“If we can find a marquee player that would really cement our squad. Trying to find a marquee player is a priority,” Campbell said.

“Someone like Duop Reath who played with us last season was outstanding. Someone like him or Finn Delany, there’s a number of guys out there who would suit our style of basketball. Hopefully we can secure one of them in the offseason and that will give us a better season.”

Reath averaged 15.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks for Illawarra last season while Delany played for the New Zealand Breakers for seven years from 2015-2022, making the All-NBL Second Team in 2021.

Both players are currently overseas, with Reath playing for the Qingdao Eagles in China and Delany the Telekom Baskets Bonn in Germany.

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Campbell added the club has a keen interest in bringing Robinson back. The 25-year-old has been a positive influence in the locker room despite his injury and Campbell believes he has the skillset to succeed in the NBL.

“Justin was outstanding. We put a lot of effort into finding him in the preseason, and obviously he showed so much talent. To lose him in the first game really hurt us. We’re talking to Justin now. We’re hoping to bring him back,” Campbell said.

Despite the 2-19 record, rookie head coach Jacob Jackomas is under no pressure to lose his job, with Campbell praising the effort he has put in to get the playing group competing throughout the entire season.

Hawks’ Owner Jared Novelly is also all in and determined to help turn the club around according to Campbell.

“He is super committed. He has been a fantastic owner the way he has gone about his business,” Campbell said of Novelly.

“The way he has shown commitment to Jacob going through such a tough time. He is here for the long haul, which is great from the Hawks’ point of view. He is looking to invest in other parts of the world in basketball. We are really stable right now.”

Illawarra travels to Cairns to face the Taipans on Friday night at 7:30pm AEDT.