Reigning Champions' smash membership record

Illawarra’s membership has hit a record high on the eve of the Hungry Jack's NBL26 season.

During Sunday’s season launch at the Snakepit, the club said that this year’s membership numbers are the highest in its 46-year history.

This positive news coincided with the reigning champions unveiling that Biwali Bayles had re-signed with the foundation club on a two-year deal, and former Cairns Taipan Jonah Antonio has inked a deal as their nominated injury replacement player.

Both Bayles and Antonio will be part of Justin Tatum’s squad for this week’s FIBA Intercontinental Cup in Singapore.

"The tournament is good for us because we get a couple more reps of games under our belt before we start the season, especially as we have some new players, and we want to begin gelling early before we start our season,” Tatum told the Illawarra Mercury.

"I think it's good for us, as long as everybody stays healthy.

"We're taking 14 or 15 guys, so we'll be able to rotate a lot of guys during the tournament."

Illawarra head to Singapore on Tuesday for matchups with Flamengo on Friday (7pm) and NBA G-League United on Saturday (7pm), before finals action on Sunday.

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