Robinson's Big Hawks Call

The Illawarra Hawks will demand attention in NBL24, as star import guard Justin Robinson declares “unfinished business” is brewing for last season’s wooden spooners.

“I think some unfinished business is there and I’m excited for what’s to come to turn things around, from what it was last year,” Robinson said.

“I like that it’s kind of under the mat, my name is not in the buzz a lot anymore.”

Robinson was sidelined for the majority of last season due to a meniscus tear in his right knee, which he sustained in the Hawks’ season opener against the Sydney Kings. 

It was the start of a poor campaign for Illawarra, who finished last with just three wins. But with a revamped roster, and a healthy Robinson, optimism is strong at the Hawks.

In an interview at the 2023 NBA Summer League, where Robinson is representing the Charlotte Hornets, he told Pete Hooley that Illawarra is already “underrated.”

“Our team is a little underrated, I think we have some good pieces so far,” Robinson said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/illawarrahawks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@illawarrahawks</a> Next Star AJ Johnson will be putting in the work in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL24?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL24</a>, but he&#39;s going to have fun doing it ??? <a href="https://t.co/V8R4hEslit">pic.twitter.com/V8R4hEslit</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1678268785487413248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


With the addition of NBA veteran Gary Clark and Next Star AJ Johnson, Robinson said the line-up is set to shock the league.

He also thinks Johnson will benefit from playing with Illawarra's group of seasoned players.

“I think my goal is to take him (Johnson) under my wing out there, and just prepare him for the next level," Robinson said.

“He’s gonna be a tremendous player, he already has the pieces around him, and the skill and intangibles with them.

“So I think we’re all going to gather around him and get him to the best that he can be."

The Hawks’ first game of NBL24 is on Saturday, September 30, over the reigning champion Sydney Kings.