Dan Drida re-ups with Ilawarra

from nbc.com.au : The Hawks have made another key signing ahead of the 2020/21 Hungry Jack’s NBL season, with emerging star Dan Grida committing to the club for a further two years. Grida hasn’t missed a game for The Hawks since joining the team in 2018 and is set to play a key role in the new era of the club. Discovered at the NBL Next Gen Camp, Grida was recruited by The Hawks and received a call-up for the Boomers last year. He is currently recovering from an ACL injury he suffered…

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Illawarra Hawks release statement regarding ownership

Thursday it was reported by ESPN and multiple outlets, including this one, that the youngest of the Ball brothers, LaMelo, along with his manager Jermaine Jackson, had purchased the Illawarra Hawks, the NBL Melo played for this past season. However in the words of the great Lee Corso, “not so fast my friend”, as this statement released by the Hawks , while not refuting those initial reports, it ,at the very least ,indicates there is something happening with Illawarra’s ownership status: The NBL would like to clarify the current situation…

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LaMelo Ball and manager purchase NBL team

LaMelo Ball is not yet in the NBA, but that hasn’t stopped him from making moves or planning for his life post-playing career. The youngest and most talented of the Ball brothers and projected top-3 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft( whenever that will be) along with his manager, Jermaine Jackson ( no, not that Jermaine Jackson) purchased the Illawarra Hawks of Australia’s National Basketball League. Ball played for the Hawks this past season. Before his season was cut short due to a foot injury, Ball averaged 17.0 points, 7.5…

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Sydney Kings captures regular season NBL crown

From nbl.com.au : The Sydney Kings celebrated winning their first NBL regular season championship in 12 years by beating a gritty Illawarra Hawks 98-82 at Qudos Bank Arena on Friday night. The Kings, who achieved the rare feat of leading the competition from go to whoa, will finish the season at least one win ahead of second-placed Perth regardless of the result of the Wildcats’ clash against Adelaide on Saturday. It’s the club’s fifth regular season championship and the first time the Kings (20-8) have topped the NBL standings and…

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LaMelo Ball has returned to the Uniced States

From nbl.com.au : Illawarra Hawks NBL Next Star LaMelo Ball has returned home to the US today to continue his rehabilitation and preparation for the 2020 NBA Draft. Ball, 18, had previously been ruled out for the remainder of the 2019-20 Hungry Jack’s NBL season due to a foot injury. He played 12 games for the Hawks and averaged 17 points, seven rebounds and seven assists per game. Illawarra Hawks General Manager, Mat Campbell said: “With only four games remaining this season we understand LaMelo is keen to return home…

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NBL issues statement on LaMelo Ball

From nbl.com.au : NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger has made the following statement on LaMelo Ball after it was announced he will miss the rest of the season as he recovers from injury. “It’s a shame for LaMelo as I’m sure he would have loved to join his team out there for the end of the season, especially as they have found some winning form of late. “It’s important that he makes a return to full fitness ahead of the NBA draft and we will do everything we can to support…

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Kendall Stephens’ big game powers South East Melbourne to key win over Illawarra

From nbl.com.au Kendall Stephens’ breakout party helped South East Melbourne Phoenix open up a handy first half lead and then he hit the two daggers to shake off a determined Illawarra Hawks for a critical 90-82 win on Sunday. The Phoenix had no choice but to win the game to close Round 15 at WIN Entertainment Centre against the bottom placed Hawks but they did have their work cut out when down nine early in the second quarter. It was Stephens who sparked a remarkable run of 17 straight points…

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LaMelo Ball will miss four weeks with foot injury

Youngest of the Ball brothers, current point guard for the NBL’s Illawarra Hawks and projected top-three pick in next year’s NBA draft, LaMelo Ball will be out about four weeks with a foot injury. According to an injury update from the NBL, Ball suffered a bruised foot in practice this week. A specialist Ball saw, prescribed him to rest the injury and that will have him on the shelf for the next few weeks. Ball with remain in Australia as he rehabs his injury. He is expected to make a…

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NBL Round 3 Preview: Illawarra Hawks v SE Melbourne Phoenix

From nbl.com.au: When: 8pm (AEDT), Saturday 19 October Where: Melbourne Arena Broadcast: ESPN; Sky Sports NZ; SBS On Demand The last time SE Melbourne 116 (Kelly 21, Mackinnon 20, Ronaldson 17, Smith 17) d Illawarra 73 (Hatcher 18, Ritter 13, Campbell 12), Round 15, 1998, Melbourne Park It wasn’t pretty the last time SE Melbourne welcomed the Hawks to town, now Cairns Taipans coach Mike Kelly racking up 21 points at 80 per cent as the hosts ran up a cricket score and downed the men from the ‘Gong by 43 points. Current…

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NBL Round 1 Preview: Illawarra Hawks v Brisbane Bullets

From NBL.com.au: When: 3pm (AEDT), Sunday 6 October Where: WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong Broadcast: SBS Viceland; Sky Sports NZ; SBS On Demand New players: Illawarra – LaMelo Ball, Josh Boone, Aaron Brooks, Sunday Dech, Sam Froling Brisbane – Taylor Braun, EJ Singler, Nathan Sobey The last time Brisbane 98 (Patterson 24, Gibson 14, Hodgson 14) d Illawarra 87 (Jett 16, Grida 13, Jackson 11, Naar 11), OT, Round 17, 2018/19, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre The energy of Dan Grida drove the Hawks to a double-digit advantage in the second term, but the…

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