Hawks secure star import

The Illawarra Hawks have added a key piece in their NBL25 roster build, securing the signature of Trey Kell III.

Kell is set for his third NBL club, after stints with the South East Melbourne Phoenix, and then the Adelaide 36ers, where he logged impressive averages of 17.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists in his most recent season.

The 28-year-old is the Hawks’ second import, alongside Tyler Harvey, with the signature of Gary Clark the next target for Justin Tatum and his team.

"Trey is a player that we have followed closely over the past two seasons, and we are thrilled to welcome him to our squad for the upcoming season,” Illawarra’s General Manager of Basketball Mat Campbell said.

"With a majority of our NBL24 team returning, we prioritised a guard that has NBL experience, and Trey will add another weapon to our perimeter play in coach Tatum's system.”

"I am thrilled to welcome Trey to the team and am genuinely excited by the potential of our NBL25 squad," Tatum added.

"Kell's familiarity with the pace and style of play in our league is a huge plus for us, and we see him fitting in seamlessly to Hawks basketball. Having ten of our 11 signed players with NBL experience will help us pick up where we left off in NBL24."  

After a challenging start to last year’s campaign, which saw previous coach Jacob Jackomas part ways with the club, the Hawks enjoyed a dream run to the Finals, and were agonisingly close to reaching the Championship Series.

With the core of their roster back for another year, it looms as an exciting season in the ‘Gong.

"I'm excited to be joining the Hawks for the upcoming season. I am looking forward to continuing my journey in Australia, in Wollongong and to get to work with Coach Tatum and the squad this year,” Kell added.

“It will be great to enjoy the wonderful city and have the great fans cheering for me, not against me.”