Free Agency Analysis: AJ Ogilvy Back to The Hawks

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

With free agency underway, NBL Media’s Liam Santamaria is taking a look at each and every signing and breaking down what it all means ahead of #NBL21.

With free agency underway, NBL Media’s Liam Santamaria is taking a look at each and every signing and breaking down what it all means ahead of #NBL21.

Signing Snapshot: AJ Ogilvy back to The Hawks

Signed by: The Hawks

The deal: One year

Age: 32

2019-20 team: Illawarra Hawks

2019-20 stats (per game): 8.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 0.9 blocks, 1.0 steals, 43.2 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 64.1 FT%

Projected role: Back-up centre.

Quote: “We are very excited to get AJ back to the Hawks. He gives us that interior target, is a tremendous rebounder and is a very important piece to complete our roster.” – Brian Goorjian (Hawks head coach)

My take: This is a sensible re-signing by the Hawks, who needed another big body in their frontcourt to balance out their roster.

Let’s be honest, Ogilvy’s star doesn’t burn as bright as it once did in the NBL. He’s one of only four active players to receive All-NBL First Team honours three times – keeping company with Bryce Cotton, Casper Ware and Daniel Johnson – however Ogilvy’s production over the last few seasons has been well below that level.

That being said, he is still 6’11, he still moves well, he still possesses a varied skillset and, playing limited minutes in a reserve role, I think he can be a valuable contributor for this squad.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">HE’S BACK! ?<br><br>AJ has inked a one-year deal which will see him return for his 6th season with the Hawks.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FlyAsOne?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FlyAsOne</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/AJ_Ogilvy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AJ_Ogilvy</a></p>— Hawks Basketball (@thehawks) <a href="https://twitter.com/thehawks/status/1303120678179074048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Here’s the key question, for me: how well will Ogilvy respond to the intensity of Goorjian’s coaching style? I flagged a while back that I’m not sure the two are a perfect match as far as player and coach but hey, who knows… maybe Goorj’s in-your-grill approach is exactly what the big fella needs.

Either way, this is a low risk re-signing for the Hawks. And, if expectations are kept in check, it’s one that could potentially result in significant rewards.