Hawks exercise option on championship star

The Illawarra Hawks announced on Monday that co-captain Tyler Harvey is locked in for the third year of his current contract, with the club exercising its option to secure his return for NBL27.

Harvey, now 32, first joined the Hawks ahead of the 2020-21 season, where he earned All-NBL First Team honours.

That marked the beginning of his six-season stint with the club, during which he has played 194 games and was again named to the All-NBL First Team in 2025.

Across his time in Australia, Harvey has averaged 17.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.8 three-pointers and 1.3 steals per game.

Currently playing in China with the Liaoning Flying Leopards, Harvey was granted permanent residency in Australia in February 2026, and is expected to gain citizenship ahead of the 2027-28 NBL season.

This would allow the Hawks to list him as a marquee player rather than an import, meaning his salary would count at a lower, fixed rate against the cap.

Harvey joins Daniel Grida, Sam Froling, Will Hickey, Todd Blanchfield, Mason Peatling, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (team option), Kobe McDowell-White (team option), and Johny Narkle (team option) on Justin Tatum’s roster for next season.

ESPN’s Olgun Uluc has also reported the Hawks declined Biwali Bayles and Harry Froling's team options, making them both free agents.