NICKNAME/S: Davo

BIO: William Hickey, born Camperdown (VIC) and grew up in nearby Cowra. Hickey is a Indigenous player originally, a proud Wiradjuri and Gamilaroi/Gomeroi man. Played his junior basketball with the Sydney Comets.

NBL EXPERIENCE

William Hickey made his NBL debut with the South East Melbourne Phoenix at 20 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

Will “Davo” Hickey began his NBL journey as a Development Player with the South East Melbourne Phoenix. Opportunities were limited for him on the court, as he scored just three points across two games while the Phoenix wrapped up a challenging season with a 9-19 record, finishing second last.

MELBOURNE UNITED
2021/22
In 2021/22, Hickey signed with Melbourne United on a two-year Development Player contract, aligning with the NBL’s Reconciliation Action Plan. After their 2021 championship win, Melbourne United faced roster shifts, losing leading scorer Jock Landale to the NBA and point guard Mitch McCarron to a lucrative deal with Adelaide. United rebuilt quickly, re-signing key players Jo Lual-Acuil, David Barlow, and Shea Ili, with additional boosts from Brad Newley (via Sydney) and NZNBL MVP Dion Prewster. The marquee signing, however, was NBA champion Matthew Dellavedova. Caleb Agada and German prospect Ariel Hukporti also joined, rounding out a competitive lineup.

United had a rocky 0-2 start but soon dominated, winning their next three games and suffering only one loss in January (5-1), all on the road. In January 2022, Chris Goulding achieved a major milestone, reaching 5,000 NBL points as only the second active player to do so, alongside Adelaide’s Daniel Johnson. United continued to excel, reaching a 12-4 record and securing the top spot on the ladder. Lual-Acuil (16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks) earned All-NBL First Team honours, while Goulding (15.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) landed on the All-NBL Second Team. Shea Ili’s (8.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.4 steals) impact as a bench player was recognised with the Sixth Man of the Year award. Hickey, limited to minimal court time, appeared in seven games and played a total of 13 minutes as United finished 20-8, setting up a semi-final clash with Tasmania.

In a competitive semi-final series, Tasmania leveled the series 1-1 at home after United’s initial 74-63 win. Without Goulding in Game 3, Melbourne’s shooting woes saw them fall short (76-73) and miss the Grand Final, as Tasmania made history in their debut season. United opted not to exercise the second-year option on Hickey’s contract at season’s end.

ILLAWARRA HAWKS
2022/23
Following two consecutive semifinal appearances, Illawarra underwent significant changes before the 2022/23 season. Head coach Brian Goorjian departed to coach the Bay Area Dragons in the East Asia Super League, with long-time assistant Jacob Jackomas promoted as his replacement. Duop Reath (to Lebanon), Justinian Jessup (to Spain), Antonius Cleveland (to Adelaide), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (to Melbourne) and Harry Froling (to Brisbane) departed, while AJ Ogilvy retired, leaving Tyler Harvey and Sam Froling as the only players retained from the previous season’s main rotation.

Jackomas added Deng Deng (via Brisbane), Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (via Sydney), Mangok Mathiang (via Casey) and imports Justin Robinson and George King. William “Davo” Hickey (via Casey) and Harry Morris (via Sydney) were signed as development players on August 31, with the former Casey Cavaliers guard elevated to Illawarra’s full-time roster on opening night. He had previously served as a development player with South East Melbourne and Melbourne and was not a midseason injury replacement.

Illawarra opened the season against Sydney at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 1, where the newly elevated guard was listed but did not play. Lachlan Dent (19 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Harvey (18 points) led the Hawks, while Derrick Walton Jr (32 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 steal), Xavier Cooks (24 points) and Justin Simon (19 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals) led Sydney to a 106-97 win. Robinson (10 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block across one game) suffered a meniscus tear during the third quarter before completing the game and undergoing season-ending surgery.

King (10.7 points and 4.1 rebounds across 9 games) was later placed on injury reserve after a persistent ankle and lower-leg injury, with Michael Frazier II (via Perth, 17.3 points and 3.9 rebounds across 8 games) signed as his replacement before suffering a broken left arm. Kevin White (via Perth, 0.6 points across 5 games) initially replaced Robinson before Peyton Siva (via New Zealand, 9.3 points, 6.3 assists, and 1.6 steals across 11 games) joined for the remainder of the season, but a shoulder injury also ended his campaign.

Hickey (4.8 points across 24 games) became a regular member of the backcourt as Illawarra’s injuries created additional opportunities, making five starts and providing defence, rebounding and athleticism across both guard positions. The four games he did not enter were coach’s decisions while he remained available at the end of the rotation, rather than games missed through injury.

His first points for Illawarra came against New Zealand at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 17, where Hickey (5 points and 2 steals) provided energy during six minutes off the bench. Harvey (12 points and 2 steals), Dent (9 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) and King (9 points and 8 rebounds) led the Hawks, while Will McDowell-White (17 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block), Cameron Gliddon (12 points and 2 steals) and Rayan Rupert (11 points) led the Breakers to an 88-62 win.

Davo Hickey with the hands and the JAM! #HawkNation pic.twitter.com/7xprwOOfDE

— Illawarra Hawks Basketball (@illawarrahawks) October 17, 2022

Hickey received his first extended opportunity against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on November 20, finishing with 9 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block in 23 minutes. Harvey (32 points and 5 rebounds) and Froling (17 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Illawarra, while Angus Glover (13 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) was Sydney’s leading scorer before Shaun Bruce (8 points and 1 steal) made a corner three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Kings an 83-82 win.

During the NBL’s Indigenous Round, Hickey joined Brisbane’s Aron Baynes at Parliament House for the official launch. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recognised the league’s Indigenous players, referring to “trailblazers like Nate Jawai, icons like Patty Mills and future stars like William Hickey”, while Hickey and Sydney’s Biwali Bayles were the only players contracted under the Indigenous Player Rule.

Illawarra ended a nine-game losing streak against Melbourne at the WIN Entertainment Centre on December 5, where Hickey (10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) provided an important contribution off the bench. Froling (29 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block), Frazier II (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists), Harvey (15 points) and Deng (11 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals) led the Hawks, while Rayjon Tucker (27 points) was Melbourne’s leading scorer as Illawarra won 93-79.

Against Cairns on January 2, Hickey (14 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals) helped Illawarra recover from an 18-point deficit and move ahead during the fourth quarter. Froling (25 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Harvey (21 points and 3 assists) also produced strong performances, while Shannon Scott (18 points, 6 assists, and 2 steals), DJ Hogg (16 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Ben Ayre (15 points) helped Cairns close the game on a 16-9 run and win 96-89.

Hickey’s best game came at the Cairns Convention Centre on January 13, where he made seven of ten field goals and finished with a career-high 16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals. Harvey (25 points and 5 assists) and Mathiang (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks) also produced strong performances, while Tahjere McCall (24 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals), Hogg (15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) and Scott (15 points and 6 assists) led Cairns to an 89-84 win.

Hickey moved into the starting lineup during the final weeks and contributed 8 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal against New Zealand at Spark Arena on January 19. Harvey (25 points and 3 steals), Mathiang (15 points and 5 rebounds), Froling (11 points and 6 rebounds) and Swaka Lo Buluk (10 points) led Illawarra, while Dererk Pardon (19 points, 17 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Jarrell Brantley (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals) were New Zealand’s best. Tom Abercrombie (13 points and 2 steals) put the Breakers ahead with a late steal and dunk before Harvey made a long three-pointer as time expired to give Illawarra a 78-76 win.

Harvey (18.9 points and 1.5 steals across 27 games) led Illawarra in scoring and received the Members’ Choice Award, while Froling (14 points and 8 rebounds across 28 games) was named club MVP and finished second in voting for the NBL’s Next Generation Award. Deng (8.6 points and 6.5 rebounds across 28 games), Mathiang (7.7 points and 5.1 rebounds across 25 games) and Daniel Grida (5.1 points and 3.9 rebounds across 14 games) provided support, while Swaka Lo Buluk (4.9 points across 28 games) received the Defensive Player of the Year award and Akoldah Gak (1 point across 13 games) was named Players’ Player. Hickey’s development was rewarded with a new deal for the following season.

The Hawks closed the season against Tasmania at the WIN Entertainment Centre on February 4, where Hickey (3 points, 1 rebound, and 1 block) made his fifth start alongside Harvey (13 points), Froling (12 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Grida (9 points and 7 rebounds). Milton Doyle (20 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1 steal) and Jack McVeigh (14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led the JackJumpers to an 87-63 win, leaving Illawarra in 10th place with a franchise-worst 3-25 record.

2023/24
Following the worst season in club history, Illawarra entered Jacob Jackomas’ second year as head coach looking to recover from a 3-25 campaign. Kevin White and Tim Coenraad retired, while Mangok Mathiang (to New Zealand), Akoldah Gak (to Cairns) and Alex Mudronja departed. Todd Blanchfield (via Perth) arrived through a buyout partly funded by the Wildcats, with Mason Peatling (via Melbourne), Biwali Bayles (via Sydney), Lachlan Olbrich (via UC Riverside), Hyunjung Lee (via Santa Cruz), Next Star AJ Johnson and Gary Clark (via Mexico City) also joining. Tyler Harvey, captain Sam Froling, Justin Robinson, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk and Daniel Grida returned as the core group.

After joining Illawarra as a development player before the 2022/23 season and being elevated to the main roster in October 2022, William “Davo” Hickey re-signed for NBL24. His athleticism, ability to defend multiple positions and willingness to take on any role had already made him a fan favourite. “We have a great group, and I am excited to continue developing here at the Hawks,” Hickey said.

Illawarra opened the season against Sydney at the WIN Entertainment Centre on September 30, where Hickey (1 point, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal) played 3:50 off the bench, but the Kings won 96-81. Harvey (19 points and 3 steals) and Grida (14 points and 7 rebounds) led the Hawks, while Kouat Noi (23 points and 4 rebounds) was Sydney’s leading scorer.

Two heavy defeats against Sydney and Cairns left Illawarra at 2-7 and resulted in Jackomas parting ways with the club, with assistant Justin Tatum taking over as interim head coach. Grida (5.2 points across 10 games) was sidelined by a knee injury, while Kyle Adnam (1 point across 3 games) joined from South East Melbourne as an injury replacement. Under Tatum, Hickey (5.2 points across 25 games) earned a larger role with his defensive pressure, rebounding and willingness to attack the basket, becoming an important part of Illawarra’s late-season turnaround.

Hickey’s best regular-season scoring game came at Qudos Bank Arena on February 11, where Hickey (11 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) played 15:43 off the bench as Illawarra defeated Sydney 106-95 and strengthened its finals position. Clark (22 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Harvey (21 points, 6 assists, and 2 steals) led the Hawks, while Jaylen Adams (18 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) was Sydney’s best.

Clark (17 points and 7.8 rebounds across 33 games) led Illawarra in scoring, won the club MVP award and was selected to the All-NBL First Team, while Froling (15.4 points and 7.8 rebounds across 33 games) received the NBL Next Generation Award. Harvey (15.1 points across 33 games), Robinson (12 points and 4.4 assists across 33 games), Lee (7.3 points and 3.7 rebounds across 32 games) and Swaka Lo Buluk (6 points across 32 games) completed the main rotation. Illawarra increased its scoring from 80.8 to 91.6 points per game and finished fourth with a 14-14 record.

Illawarra opened the play-in tournament against Tasmania at MyState Bank Arena, where Hickey (9 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist) played 16:54 off the bench as the JackJumpers won 92-76. Clark (21 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 block) and Harvey (15 points) led the Hawks, while McVeigh (26 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Magnay (25 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and 4 blocks) controlled the game for Tasmania.

The Hawks returned to the WIN Entertainment Centre for an elimination game against New Zealand, where Hickey (9 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) moved into the starting lineup and played 22:24 as Illawarra won 88-85. Robinson (26 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Froling (21 points and 9 rebounds) led the Hawks, while Parker Jackson-Cartwright (19 points, 9 assists, and 2 steals) and Cheatham (14 points and 9 rebounds) were New Zealand’s best before Illawarra advanced to the semifinals.

The semifinal series began at John Cain Arena, where Hickey (6 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) played 20:45 and scored a fearless late basket to briefly put Illawarra ahead after Melbourne erased a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit. Froling (26 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block) and Clark (22 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Hawks, while Dellavedova (30 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals) and Travers (24 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) powered United to a 115-106 overtime win.

Game two moved to the WIN Entertainment Centre, where Hickey produced his best performance of the season. Hickey (18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) established career highs in points and minutes, grabbed the offensive rebound after Clark’s missed shot and scored as time expired to tie the game at 97-97. Clark (31 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 assists), Harvey (23 points) and Froling (19 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists) helped Illawarra win 113-108 in overtime, while Dellavedova (20 points and 8 assists) and Lual-Acuil (18 points and 7 rebounds) led Melbourne before the Hawks forced a deciding game.

Game three returned to John Cain Arena, where Froling (23 points and 4 rebounds) and Robinson (19 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists) kept Illawarra within reach, while Ili (22 points) and Travers (15 points and 11 rebounds) led Melbourne to a 100-94 victory and ended the Hawks’ season one game short of the Grand Final. Hickey (9 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block) played 18:39 minutes in the loss.

2024/25
Illawarra’s return to the semifinals the previous season provided the foundation for Justin Tatum’s first full campaign as head coach. Gary Clark (to Yokohama), Justin Robinson (to Trapani), AJ Johnson (to Milwaukee), Biwali Bayles (to Nyon) and Kyle Adnam (to Cairns) departed, while William Hickey returned alongside Tyler Harvey, Sam Froling, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, Hyunjung Lee, Lachlan Olbrich, Mason Peatling, Todd Blanchfield and Daniel Grida. Tatum added Trey Kell III (via Adelaide), Darius Days (via Winnipeg), Zac Triplett (via Melbourne) and Brad Ballinger (via Illawarra NBL1).

Building on his breakout season, Illawarra exercised the second-year option in Hickey’s contract during the offseason. He returned after earning NBL1 East All-Star Five and co-Defensive Player of the Year honours with Albury-Wodonga.

Illawarra opened the season at HoopsFest on September 21 with a 102-75 win over Cairns, where Hickey (4 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) contributed off the bench alongside Days (20 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Froling (19 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block), while Tanner Groves (19 points and 7 rebounds) led the Taipans.

Hickey (8.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists across 29 games) appeared in every regular-season game and developed into one of the league’s most important reserves, using his energy, defensive versatility and ability to control the offence as Illawarra’s secondary ball-handler.

After helping the Hawks begin the season 5-1, Hickey signed a three-year extension on October 24, securing the first multiyear contract of his NBL career. He said, “It’s the first extended contract in my career.”

His best regular-season scoring game came in Perth on November 1, where Hickey (20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) started while Kell was sidelined and shot 10-of-14 from the field in a 113-105 loss. Harvey (25 points) and Olbrich (14 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) provided support, while Ben Henshall (26 points and 6 assists) led Perth.

Hickey (10 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 4 steals) helped Illawarra secure the first regular-season championship in club history with a 96-82 road win over New Zealand on February 5, with Harvey (29 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists) and Blanchfield (17 points and 4 rebounds) leading the scoring while Tacko Fall (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks) was the Breakers’ best.

Illawarra completed the regular season two nights later with a 95-75 win over Sydney, where Hickey (12 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 steal) started alongside Lee (15 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block) and Harvey (15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block), while Jaylen Adams (14 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Kings. The Hawks finished first with a 20-9 record and secured home-court advantage throughout the postseason.

Kobe McDowell-White (via Sunshine Coast) joined the Hawks as a development player in October, while Kuany Kuany (via VCU) was added as a nominated replacement player in November.

Harvey (17.9 points, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals) and Kell (17.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists) led Illawarra’s offence, while Froling (14.6 points and 7.3 rebounds), Days (11.4 points and 6.6 rebounds), Olbrich (8.7 points and 3.8 rebounds), Swaka Lo Buluk (7.8 points) and Lee (7.7 points and 3.4 rebounds) formed one of the league’s deepest rotations.

Hickey and Olbrich were selected for their first senior Boomers appearances during the November FIBA Asia Cup qualifying window. Hickey was nominated for the NBL’s Most Improved Player and Best Sixth Man awards, became a finalist for Best Sixth Man and received Illawarra’s Most Improved Player award. Tatum was named NBL Coach of the Year, Harvey and Kell earned All-NBL First Team selections, Froling was selected to the All-NBL Second Team and Harvey, Kell and Froling shared the Hawks’ club MVP award.

Illawarra opened the semifinals at the WIN Entertainment Centre with a 101-94 win over South East Melbourne, taking control with a 32-12 third quarter as Hickey (6 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) contributed alongside Kell (24 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists), Harvey (24 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) and Blanchfield (16 points and 6 rebounds), while Wieskamp (22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks), Sobey (17 points and 9 rebounds) and Walton Jr (15 points and 11 assists) led the Phoenix.

Game two moved to Melbourne, where Hickey (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Illawarra alongside Froling (11 points and 5 rebounds) and Harvey (10 points and 4 assists), but South East Melbourne levelled the series with a 101-94 win behind Hurt (30 points and 2 blocks), Sobey (25 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Glover (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists).

The deciding game returned to Wollongong, where Hickey (11 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 blocks) helped Kell (30 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal), Blanchfield (28 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Harvey (12 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals) power Illawarra to a 126-96 win, while Wieskamp (25 points and 5 rebounds), Sobey (19 points and 6 rebounds) and Foxwell (13 points and 3 steals) led South East Melbourne.

The Grand Final series opened in Wollongong, where Hickey (14 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals), Froling (16 points and 7 rebounds) and Blanchfield (13 points and 3 rebounds) led Illawarra, but Dellavedova (18 points and 7 rebounds), Goulding (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Marcus Lee (14 points, 15 rebounds, and 2 blocks) carried Melbourne to a 96-88 win.

Game two moved to John Cain Arena, where Hickey (8 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) contributed as Harvey (24 points), Froling (23 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Kell (18 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block) led Illawarra to a 102-100 win, while Clark (31 points), Goulding (17 points and 4 assists) and Dellavedova (14 points and 5 assists) led Melbourne.

Melbourne regained control in game three with an 83-77 road win behind White (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals), Clark (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Dellavedova (16 points and 11 assists), while Hickey (12 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block), Days (11 points and 4 rebounds) and Kell (10 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Illawarra. Kell suffered a knee injury late in the game and was ruled out of game four.

Elevated into the starting lineup with Illawarra facing elimination, Hickey (22 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals) produced his highest-scoring game of the season as the Hawks defeated Melbourne 80-71 at John Cain Arena, with Olbrich (13 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists), Harvey (12 points and 4 rebounds) and Days (9 points and 11 rebounds) providing support while Dellavedova (17 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists), Goulding (17 points and 5 rebounds) and Clark (16 points and 2 steals) led United. Froling (5 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) ruptured his Achilles during the second quarter, leaving Illawarra without its starting centre for the deciding game. Hickey said, “Once I cross that white line, I’m good, I’m ready.”

Hickey’s best game of the season came in the deciding game in Wollongong, where he finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists as Illawarra defeated Melbourne 114-104. Kell (26 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists), Harvey (16 points and 7 rebounds), Swaka Lo Buluk (16 points) and Olbrich (12 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) helped complete the victory, while Goulding (21 points, 3 assists, and 2 blocks), Ili (20 points, 6 assists, and 4 steals) and White (17 points and 7 rebounds) led Melbourne. Dellavedova (5 points and 7 assists) was awarded the Larry Sengstock Trophy before handing it to Hickey and saying, “Davo, this belongs to you.” Illawarra’s victory delivered the club its second championship and first since 2001.

2025/26
After defeating Melbourne in five games to win its first championship in 24 years, Illawarra entered NBL26 as defending champions under coach Justin Tatum. Trey Kell III (to Toyama), Darius Days (to San Germán), Lachlan Olbrich (to Chicago) and Hyunjung Lee (to Nagasaki) departed, while Tatum added JaVale McGee (via Bayamón), Jonah Bolden (via Arecibo), Jackson Ball (via Hawke’s Bay), Biwali Bayles (via Nyon) and JaQuori McLaughlin (via Jakarta) around returning guards Tyler Harvey and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk. Captain Sam Froling remained sidelined after rupturing his Achilles tendon during the previous season’s championship decider.

An eye injury suffered at the NBL Blitz delayed his season debut as the Hawks opened 2-4. Hickey (6 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) returned against New Zealand at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 31, but the Breakers defeated Illawarra 102-60, with McGee (13 points and 10 rebounds) and Harvey (11 points) leading the Hawks while Sam Mennenga (21 points and 11 rebounds) starred for New Zealand.

Hickey (12.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists across 27 games) continued on the three-year deal he signed during NBL25 and was handed a larger role following Kell’s departure. After helping the Boomers win the FIBA Asia Cup before the season, he produced career-high averages across all three categories, finished fifth in the NBL for assists and was nominated for Best Sixth Man.

Two days after returning, Hickey (20 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 blocks) produced his first major performance of the season in Adelaide on November 2, but Illawarra fell 90-88. McGee (17 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Harvey (15 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) provided support, while Bryce Cotton (24 points, 3 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals) led Adelaide.

His best all-round game came in Cairns on November 7, where Hickey (19 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists, and 3 blocks) recorded the first triple-double of his NBL career as Illawarra defeated the Taipans 107-90. McGee (28 points and 6 rebounds) and Quentin Peterson (22 points and 4 rebounds) helped the Hawks collect their third straight win, while Mojave King (32 points) led Cairns. It was the first triple-double by a Hawks player since LaMelo Ball and the first NBL triple-double featuring at least three blocks since Darnell Mee in 2004.

His best scoring game came against Adelaide at the WIN Entertainment Centre on February 5, where Hickey (22 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals) made 11-of-15 shots as Illawarra recovered from 16 points down to win 100-99. Harvey (22 points) and Peterson (13 points) helped complete the comeback, while Cotton (28 points) was Adelaide’s leading scorer, keeping the Hawks’ slim finals hopes alive.

McLaughlin (7.7 points and 4 assists across 3 games) was released in October, with Peterson (via Xinjiang) signed to fill the vacant import position. Bolden (4.4 points and 5.5 rebounds across 8 games) suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during the FIBA break, while Froling (11 points and 6.7 rebounds across 15 games) returned on Christmas night after missing the opening 18 games with the Hawks sitting at 6-12.

McGee (19.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks) and Harvey (16.9 points and 3.6 assists) carried most of Illawarra’s scoring, with Peterson (15.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists) adding another creator after his arrival. Swaka Lo Buluk (8 points), Grida (6.3 points), Peatling (6.1 points and 4.8 rebounds) and Blanchfield (5.1 points and 4.2 rebounds) were the other main contributors. McGee was named the Hawks’ MVP, Grida collected Most Improved Player and Players’ Player, and Swaka Lo Buluk received the club’s Defensive Player award.

With their finals hopes already over, Illawarra responded with a road win against Melbourne on February 15. Hickey (13 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, and 3 steals) provided a spark from the bench as the Hawks defeated United 100-91, with McGee (22 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks) and Harvey (18 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) leading Illawarra, while Tyson Walker (30 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) was Melbourne’s best.

The season ended in Hobart on February 18, where Hickey (8 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) helped Illawarra defeat Tasmania 103-70, with Harvey (21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Peterson (20 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists) leading the scoring, while Josh Bannan (17 points and 4 rebounds) was Tasmania’s best. The Hawks finished eighth with a 13-20 record and missed the postseason after ending their title defence with consecutive road wins.

After the NBL season, Hickey signed with the South Bay Lakers and appeared in four NBA G League games before joining the Los Angeles Lakers for his second NBA Summer League campaign after playing three games for Chicago in 2025. He earned the starting point guard role and produced his best scoring performance against Oklahoma City, where Hickey (9 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) played 16 minutes. Hickey (4 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists) played 14 minutes against Chicago on July 17.William Hickey currently plays for the Illawarra Hawks and has played 114 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 7.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists since entering the league in 2019.

CURRENT CONTRACT:

Illawarra Hawks – 3 Year Deal (2024-27)

HIGHLIGHTS:

🎥👇 Get a glimpse at what Davo can do! pic.twitter.com/QGdpcOqKV9

— Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) September 9, 2021