All in a Day's work

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

"This second half is going to be really big for our team and also big for me individually."

After recording three double-doubles in his first four NBL games, star import Darius Days looked to be one of the premier signings of the off-season.

But the 25-year old admits things haven't quite gone to plan since.

In the last seven games, he hasn’t recorded double-digit rebounds and has only managed to score more than 10 points twice.

The FIBA Break provides the perfect opportunity to re-assess.

"I had early success, but the past couple games I haven't been getting the rebounds or scoring the ball like I've usually been accustomed to, or other people are accustomed to," Days told the Illawarra Mercury.

With the departure of Gary Clark after last season, Illawarra fans were searching for answers to replace their All-NBL big man, before Days signed late in the off-season.

It was a pre-season game where Days impressed for the Shanghai Sharks, against Illawarra, that did enough to convince the Hawks that he was the perfect piece to complete the puzzle.

A 20-point, 12-rebound debut in a win over Cairns, had fans excited for what Days could deliver to their team for the rest of the season. Those strong opening performances were indicative of what impressed Justin Tatum and the Hawks when they signed the Florida native.

"This second half is going to be really big for our team and also big for me individually," Days said.

After beginning the season with five wins from its first six games, Illawarra currently sits third on the NBL ladder ahead of Round 10.

A big win over their rival Sydney Kings last weekend will have given Tatum’s men a big boost heading into the break.

For Darius, there's better days ahead.

"I feel like I'm in better shape. I'm feeling good and I've used this FIBA break to look in the mirror and look at myself," he added.

"That's what I've been doing this last week and I'm ready to deliver."

With a strong portion of the Hawks' rotation currently away on national team duties, Tatum will have minimum time to get his team locked back in, before they take on the New Zealand Breakers to restart the season next Thursday.