Hawks Ready to Spread Wings

With the announced signings of Mason Peatling and Lachlan Olbrich to bolster their frontcourt earlier this week, the Illawarra Hawks’ core group for NBL24 is beginning to come together.

Alongside import pair Justin Robinson and Tyler Harvey, co-captain Sam Froling, multiple NBL champion Wani Swaka Lo Buluk and the Hawks’ longest serving player, the new-look Hawks group is forming an obvious identity built on defensive effort and hard work.

ESPN Insider Olgun Uluc says the acquisition of Peatling is the perfect addition to the new-look group.

“You can tell the identity this Hawks group wants to have,” Uluc said on The Marketplace. “They want to work hard and they want guys who are defensively minded … adding Peatling is the most obvious version of that.

“Across the board this Hawks team is coming together really, really nicely.

“There’s a good mixture of veteran pieces, guys who have been in the league for a few years, and young talent.”

Illawarra is far from finished in its recruiting spree though.

While the side currently possesses eight rostered players, along with development player Harry Morris, there is still one final import spot to be filled.

While Uluc says Illawarra is likely targeting an import, than can play ahead of Peatling and next to Sam Froling as the starting power forward, there’s a chance they could also add a new Next Star to the roster.

“I’m told they have a pretty decent sum of money to spend, so they can bring in a really quality player,” Uluc said of Illawarra’s import hunt.

“Think of like a DJ Hogg or a Jarrell Brantley. That sort of player who can play the four next to Sam Froling and can stretch the floor.

“I’m also told there is interest in a Next Star point guard. There is a sense they can add a lot of perimeter scoring and a lot more creation to this team, and it can potentially come from a Next Star.”