NICKNAME/S: Yuns G

BIO: a athletic, slashing, driving, defensive wing who can guard multiple positions, Daniel Grida was born in Perth (WA) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Lakeside Lightning as a junior before accepting a scholarship to Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence. Grida received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 2017. He spent two years year there and played for the program’s state league team (2017, 2018).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Daniel Grida made his NBL debut with the Illawarra Hawks at 20 years of age. He scored four points in his first game.

After falling just short of the playoffs in 2018, Illawarra underwent significant roster changes, losing several key players, including Demitrius Conger (to Serbia), Rotnei Clarke (to Greece), Nicholas Kay (to Perth), Delvon Johnson (to Slovakia), and longtime contributors Cody Ellis and Rhys Martin, who both retired. To fill these gaps, the Hawks brought in Jordair Jett (via NZNBL), Brian Conklin (via France), David Andersen (via Melbourne), Cedric Jackson (via USA), and rookies Emmett Naar and Daniel Grida, while retaining AJ Ogilvy, Tim Coenraad, and Nic Pozoglou.

The Hawks began their campaign with an epic quadruple-overtime loss to Melbourne (122–123) in one of the most memorable games of the season. Despite the tough start, Illawarra showed resilience with key wins, including a road victory over Cairns (104–93) and a two-game win streak against Brisbane (86–78) and Adelaide (120–109) in October. However, inconsistency plagued the team, and a four-game losing streak in November, which included losses to Perth (81–90) and Sydney (79–104), derailed their momentum. The Hawks finished the season outside playoff contention with a 12-16 record.

Rookie Daniel Grida (5.1 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.6 assists) proved a valuable contributor off the bench, showcasing his defensive skills and energy. His standout performances included a 17-point effort against New Zealand (14 Feb 2019) and a 13-point, 2-rebound game against Brisbane (7 Feb 2019). Despite his limited role, Grida finished third in the league’s Rookie of the Year voting, solidifying himself as a promising young talent.

Illawarra’s leaders included Brian Conklin (14.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists), Todd Blanchfield (13.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists), who earned team MVP honours, and Jordair Jett (11.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists). Despite their individual performances, the team struggled to maintain consistency, missing the postseason in a highly competitive year.

2019/20
After finishing seventh with a 12-16 record and missing the playoffs the previous season, Illawarra entered the new campaign under first-year head coach Matt Flinn. Kevin White (to Adelaide), Brian Conklin (to Limoges), Jordair Jett (to Nelson) and Cedric Jackson departed, while the Hawks added former NBA guard Aaron Brooks, Next Star LaMelo Ball, Josh Boone (via Melbourne), Sunday Dech (via Perth) and Sam Froling (via Creighton) around returning players Todd Blanchfield, AJ Ogilvy, Tim Coenraad, David Andersen and Emmett Naar.

Illawarra opened the season at the WIN Entertainment Centre against Brisbane on October 6, where Grida (9 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) provided 14 minutes off the bench as the Hawks lost 90-81. Brooks (23 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Ogilvy (13 points and 5 rebounds) led Illawarra, while Lamar Patterson (25 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) was Brisbane’s best.

Grida (4.7 points across 28 games) returned for his second NBL season after finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting as a rookie and remained a regular part of Illawarra’s rotation, making three starts and averaging 14.2 minutes. He appeared in all 28 games for the second consecutive season and did not miss any games through injury.

Illawarra’s season was heavily affected by injuries elsewhere in the rotation, with Brooks (17.9 points and 4.1 assists across 7 games) tearing his Achilles against Perth on October 27 and missing the remainder of the season. Ball (17 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1.7 steals across 12 games) assumed a larger role and produced consecutive triple-doubles before bruising his foot in practice in December and also failing to return. Darington Hobson (5.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.3 steals across 13 games) was added as an injury replacement, while Billy Preston (6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds across 3 games) later joined the roster before being released following multiple missed practices.

Grida’s best scoring game came against South East Melbourne on January 12, where he made 4-of-7 shots and finished with a season-high 13 points and 1 assist in 20 minutes as Illawarra lost 90-82. Blanchfield (15 points and 3 steals) and Froling (13 points and 11 rebounds) provided support, while Dane Pineau (14 points, 19 rebounds, and 3 blocks) led the Phoenix.

Blanchfield (13.3 points and 3.9 rebounds across 28 games) became Illawarra’s leading scorer following Brooks’ injury and won the Hawks’ MVP award for the second consecutive season, while Ball was named NBL Rookie of the Year. Dech (9.2 points and 3.7 rebounds across 27 games), Ogilvy (8.5 points and 6.3 rebounds across 26 games), Boone (8.2 points and 5.8 rebounds across 24 games), Coenraad (8.1 points across 28 games), Andersen (6.6 points across 16 games), Froling (6 points and 3.4 rebounds across 17 games), Naar (5.6 points and 3.6 assists across 25 games) and Angus Glover (5.2 points across 27 games) were the Hawks’ other major contributors.

“Success is measured in different ways. While we’re not happy with our record, we’re proud of the progress made and the exposure brought to the club,” Flinn said on the challenging season.

Grida’s durability and development also earned him selection in Australia’s 24-player squad for the opening FIBA Asia Cup qualifying window before he was named among six debutants in the final Boomers team. Soon after the NBL season ended, however, Grida ruptured the ACL in his right knee while training with Lakeside Lightning in Perth in March, bringing his run of 56 consecutive NBL appearances across his first two seasons to an end. Despite being a free agent while rehabilitating the injury, Grida remained part of Illawarra’s plans under new coach Brian Goorjian and signed a new two-year deal after the club moved into new ownership.

Following the season, the company operating Illawarra entered voluntary administration before creditors voted to liquidate its remaining assets, with the NBL later awarding the Hawks’ licence to a new ownership group.

Grida’s best game of the season came in Illawarra’s final game at Qudos Bank Arena on February 14, where he played a season-high 27 minutes and finished with 9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Dech (26 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Glover (15 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Hawks, while Jae’Sean Tate (19 points and 5 rebounds) led Sydney to a 98-82 victory as Illawarra finished ninth with a 5-23 record and ten consecutive losses.

2020/21
Following a five-win season which left Illawarra at the bottom of the NBL ladder, the club entered voluntary administration in April 2020 before creditors voted to liquidate the franchise the following month. The NBL ensured the Hawks survived and on June 17 awarded the licence to Dorry Kordahi, Bryan Colangelo and Michael Proctor, with the new ownership renaming the team The Hawks and appointing six-time NBL championship-winning coach Brian Goorjian.

LaMelo Ball (to Charlotte), Josh Boone (to Bahrain), Sunday Dech (to Adelaide) and Angus Glover (to Sydney) departed, while Tim Coenraad retired. Sam Froling and Emmett Naar returned as Goorjian rebuilt the roster with Cam Bairstow (via Vilnius), Deng Adel (via Long Island), Deng Deng (via New Zealand), Isaac White (via Stanford), Max Darling (via Croatia), Next Star Justinian Jessup (via Boise State) and imports Tyler Harvey (via Ulm) and Justin Simon (via Windy City). Daniel Grida re-signed on a two-year deal despite recovering from the right ACL injury suffered while training with Lakeside Lightning in Perth in March 2020, while AJ Ogilvy was added as his injury replacement with Grida initially expected to miss the entire season. “I’m super keen to be under ‘Goorj’ and that was a massive reason for me coming back to The Hawks.” Grida said.

The Hawks opened the season 4-0 while public opposition continued over the removal of “Illawarra” from the team’s name, before increased memberships and corporate support helped convince the NBL to restore the Illawarra name ahead of the club’s first home game. Grida (3.3 points across 18 games) missed Illawarra’s first 19 games while completing his ACL rehabilitation. The delayed start to the NBL season provided him with an opportunity to return earlier than initially expected, having trained with the team from late December before finally being cleared in Round 12.

Grida (2 points, 1 rebound, and 1 steal) made his return against Adelaide on April 3, entering late in the first quarter and scoring with a reverse lay-up on his first touch after more than 12 months away from the court. Jessup (17 points and 3 blocks), Naar (16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Simon (13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) led Illawarra, while Daniel Johnson (26 points and 15 rebounds) and Josh Giddey (13 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists) led Adelaide to an 84-72 win. “It was great, it was a great feeling to get onto the scoreboard early on as well.” Grida said.

Welcome back, Dan Grida ?

The @illawarrahawks youngster is back on the court for the first time in over 12 months after suffering an ACL injury.#NBL21 pic.twitter.com/pXjQ2nLZdM

— The NBL (@NBL) April 3, 2021

Grida’s best game of the season came four days later against Brisbane, where Grida (12 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist) made 4-of-8 from the field in 16 minutes and provided energy off the bench. Jessup (19 points and 3 steals) and Harvey (18 points and 4 assists) led the Hawks, while Jason Cadee (22 points), Harry Froling (21 points and 9 rebounds) and Nathan Sobey (17 points and 6 assists) helped Brisbane erase a 14-point deficit and defeat Illawarra 88-82.

As Adel left the rotation and was eventually released, Goorjian increasingly used Grida as a defensive option on opposition wings, allowing Simon to defend the ball. Against New Zealand on May 15, Grida (3 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 1 block) played a season-high 23 minutes and helped Illawarra defeat the Breakers 73-71. Harvey (24 points and 2 steals), Froling (12 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks) and Jessup (12 points and 2 steals) led the Hawks, while Finn Delany (20 points and 11 rebounds), William McDowell-White (14 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists) and Rasmus Bach (13 points and 4 rebounds) led New Zealand. Grida dislocated his left thumb while fighting for a loose ball during the final quarter and missed the following games against Melbourne on May 18 and Adelaide on May 21, with Goorjian noting that his absence took away an important part of Illawarra’s defensive structure.

Grida passed a fitness test and returned against Cairns on May 23 before producing his second-best scoring game against Adelaide on May 30. Grida (10 points, 1 rebound, and 1 steal) made 4-of-6 from the field and two three-pointers in less than ten minutes as Illawarra defeated the 36ers 97-83. Harvey (23 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists), Froling (14 points and 6 rebounds) and Coenraad (12 points) led the Hawks, while Sunday Dech (15 points) and Brandon Paul (13 points) were Adelaide’s leading scorers as Illawarra collected its seventh win from eight games and moved to 19-15.

Two days later Grida (3 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal) played nine minutes as Illawarra defeated defending champion Perth 81-79 at the WIN Entertainment Centre and secured its first postseason appearance since 2017. Harvey (27 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists), Froling (14 points) and Jessup (12 points and 4 rebounds) led the Hawks, while Clint Steindl (15 points), John Mooney (14 points and 16 rebounds) and Jesse Wagstaff (12 points) led Perth.

Harvey (20 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.5 steals across 37 games) led Illawarra in scoring, was named to the All-NBL First Team and finished runner-up for league MVP, while Jessup (13.2 points and 3.6 rebounds across 38 games) was the Hawks’ second-leading scorer. Bairstow (11.4 points and 6.2 rebounds across 14 games) was ruled out for the remainder of the season after missing nine consecutive games with a hip issue, while Froling (11.3 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks across 39 games) won the NBL Most Improved Player award and Simon (8.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.8 steals across 39 games) won the Damian Martin Trophy as the NBL’s Best Defensive Player. Deng (6.4 points and 3.8 rebounds across 39 games) and Ogilvy (4.9 points and 4.8 rebounds across 39 games) provided further depth, while Coenraad (5.5 points across 11 games) came out of retirement as Bairstow’s injury replacement. Illawarra won eight of its final ten regular-season games from Round 16 and finished third with a 20-16 record, despite averaging a league-low 81.5 points and finishing last in field-goal percentage at 42.5 percent.

The semifinal series opened at RAC Arena, where Grida (1 point and 1 rebound) played two minutes as Illawarra defeated Perth 74-72. Jessup (17 points and 4 rebounds), Simon (16 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), Froling (10 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and Harvey (10 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals) led Illawarra, while Todd Blanchfield (24 points), Mooney (13 points and 15 rebounds) and Luke Travers (12 points and 6 rebounds) led Perth. Simon grabbed an offensive rebound and threw down the match-winning putback dunk with 15 seconds remaining as Illawarra recorded only its second victory in 24 games at RAC Arena.

Game two moved to the WIN Entertainment Centre, where Grida (3 rebounds) played two minutes as Perth defeated Illawarra 79-71 to level the series. Harvey (24 points and 4 steals), Jessup (11 points) and Deng (9 points and 4 rebounds) led the Hawks, while Mooney (18 points and 10 rebounds), Travers (13 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Steindl (12 points) led Perth, with Steindl scoring all 12 of his points during a 32-point Wildcats third quarter.

Game three returned to RAC Arena, where Grida (9 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) was elevated into the starting five and played 23 minutes, his largest role of the series. Froling (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks), Harvey (10 points) and Simon (9 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists) helped Illawarra reduce a 16-point deficit to one early in the fourth quarter, while Blanchfield (24 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals), Mooney (16 points and 15 rebounds) and Mitch Norton (15 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) led Perth to a 79-71 win.

Grida’s reconstructed knee remained healthy throughout his NBL21 return, but the comeback proved short-lived when he re-ruptured the same right ACL during Illawarra’s preseason training in September 2021, ruling him out for the entire 2021/22 season.

2021/22
Illawarra entered the 2021/22 season with high expectations after nearly defeating Perth in the previous year’s semifinals. Tyler Harvey re-signed on a three-year deal, while Antonius Cleveland and Xavier Rathan-Mayes joined as key imports. Unfortunately, Daniel Grida suffered a re-injury to his ACL during preseason training in September 2021, ruling him out for the entire season.

The Hawks finished second (19-9) but again fell short in the playoffs, losing to Sydney in the semifinals.

2022/23
After reaching the semifinals in consecutive seasons, Illawarra entered the 2022/23 campaign without Brian Goorjian, who departed to coach the Bay Area Dragons in the East Asia Super League. Long-time assistant Jacob Jackomas was promoted to head coach, but Duop Reath (to China), Justinian Jessup (to Spain), Antonius Cleveland (to Adelaide), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (to Melbourne), Harry Froling (to Brisbane) and Emmett Naar (to the Netherlands) 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.

Daniel Grida had signed a two-year extension in March 2022, but a high-grade hamstring tear suffered in September delayed his return after he had spent the previous season recovering from the second ACL rupture of his career. Kevin White (via Perth) was signed as Grida’s injury replacement, with the setback keeping him out of Illawarra’s opening 14 games rather than four.

Grida (0 points and 2 rebounds) made his return against Sydney at the WIN Entertainment Centre on December 16, playing five minutes in his first NBL appearance since June 2021. Harvey (19 points) and Peyton Siva (15 points, 6 assists, and 2 steals) led Illawarra, while Xavier Cooks (21 points and 9 rebounds) guided the Kings to an 86-79 win.

Grida (5.1 points and 3.9 rebounds across 14 games) played every remaining game and made one start as his minutes gradually increased. After returning, he said, “I’m fully good to go … I feel like I can play 40 minutes but that’s not the plan right now.”

The team around him remained unsettled, with Robinson (10 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists across one game) suffering a season-ending meniscus tear in the opening game and being replaced by Siva (9.3 points, 6.3 assists, and 1.6 steals across 11 games), whose season was later ended by a shoulder injury. King (10.7 points and 4.1 rebounds across nine games) was placed on injury reserve because of a persistent ankle and lower-leg injury, with Michael Frazier II (via Perth, 17.3 points and 3.9 rebounds across eight games) replacing him before suffering a broken left arm against Adelaide.

Grida’s best game came against Tasmania at the WIN Entertainment Centre on January 10, where he made six of 11 field goals and finished with a season-high 16 points and 5 rebounds. Harvey (22 points) and Froling (21 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists) also produced strong performances, while Rashard Kelly (18 points and 5 rebounds) led the JackJumpers to a 92-89 win.

Grida (3 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) contributed to one of Illawarra’s three victories against New Zealand at Spark Arena on January 19. Harvey (25 points and 3 steals) and Mathiang (15 points and 5 rebounds) led the Hawks, while Dererk Pardon (19 points, 17 rebounds, and 2 blocks) was New Zealand’s best 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. Deng (8.6 points and 6.5 rebounds across 28 games) and Mathiang (7.7 points and 5.1 rebounds across 25 games) were the other main contributors, 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. Grida received the club’s Community Award for the second consecutive year and was selected for Australia’s February World Cup qualifying squad after completing his return from injury, while the Hawks suffered 14 losses by ten points or fewer.

Illawarra closed the season against Tasmania at the WIN Entertainment Centre on February 4, where Grida (9 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal), Harvey (13 points) and Froling (12 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 steal) led the Hawks, while Milton Doyle (20 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1 steal) guided the JackJumpers to an 87-63 win, leaving Illawarra in 10th place with a franchise-worst 3-25 record.

2023/24
Following an injury-plagued campaign which produced the worst record in club history, Illawarra entered Jacob Jackomas’ second year as head coach looking to recover from a 3-25 season. Tim Coenraad and Kevin White retired, while Akoldah Gak (to Cairns), Mangok Mathiang (to New Zealand), Alex Mudronja (to Cairns), Michael Frazier II, Peyton Siva, Lachie Dent and Deng Deng departed. Captain Sam Froling, Tyler Harvey, Justin Robinson, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, William Hickey, Daniel Grida and Harry Morris returned, while Jackomas added Todd Blanchfield (via Perth), Mason Peatling (via Melbourne), Biwali Bayles (via Sydney), Lachlan Olbrich (via UC Riverside), Hyunjung Lee (via Santa Cruz), AJ Johnson (via Southern California Academy), Gary Clark (via Mexico City) and Luca Yates (via NCAA).

Illawarra opened the season against Sydney at the WIN Entertainment Centre on September 30, where Grida produced his best game of the season. Grida (14 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 assist) made 6-of-8 from the field and both three-point attempts in 14:14 off the bench, scoring seven consecutive points and providing defensive pressure during the third quarter, but the Kings won 96-81. Harvey (19 points and 3 steals) and Froling (12 points and 11 rebounds) also contributed for the Hawks, while Kouat Noi (23 points and 4 rebounds) led Sydney.

Grida (5.2 points across 10 games) had held a player option for NBL24 but instead agreed to a new two-year deal which kept him with Illawarra through the NBL25 season. Hawks GM of Basketball Mat Campbell said, “Dan provides us with a real x-factor, and his athleticism is a difference-maker on both ends of the floor. With a full off-season under his belt, we expect Dan to play a pivotal role for us in the NBL24 season.” Grida made three starts and averaged 12.4 minutes but did not appear again after mid-November. He re-aggravated his previously injured right knee on December 28, was initially ruled out for four weeks and remained unavailable for the rest of the season, with Kyle Adnam (via South East Melbourne) signed as his nominated injury replacement.

Illawarra held a 2-7 record when Jackomas and the club parted ways in November, with assistant Justin Tatum promoted to interim head coach and overseeing the team’s turnaround. Clark (17 points and 7.8 rebounds across 33 games) led the Hawks in scoring, won the club MVP and Members’ Choice awards 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), Swaka Lo Buluk (6 points across 32 games) and Hickey (5.2 points across 25 games) were the other main contributors. Despite playing only ten games, Grida received Illawarra’s Players’ Player and Community awards as the Hawks finished fourth with a 14-14 record.

Grida remained unavailable when Illawarra opened the postseason in Tasmania, where Clark (21 points and 10 rebounds) and Harvey (15 points) led the Hawks, while Jack McVeigh (26 points and 11 rebounds) and Will Magnay (25 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks) carried the JackJumpers to a 92-76 victory. The Hawks then hosted New Zealand in an elimination game, with Robinson (26 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Froling (21 points and 9 rebounds) leading Illawarra, while Parker Jackson-Cartwright (19 points and 9 assists) and Zylan Cheatham (14 points and 9 rebounds) were the Breakers’ best in an 88-85 Hawks victory.

The semifinal series opened at John Cain Arena, where Froling (26 points and 5 rebounds) and Clark (22 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Illawarra, while Matthew Dellavedova (30 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals) and Luke Travers (24 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) powered Melbourne to a 115-106 overtime win. Game two moved to Wollongong, where Clark (31 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 assists), Harvey (23 points), Froling (19 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Hickey (18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) led Illawarra, while Dellavedova (20 points and 8 assists) and Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (18 points and 7 rebounds) were Melbourne’s best as the Hawks won 113-108 in overtime. Game three returned to Melbourne, where Froling (23 points and 4 rebounds), Robinson (19 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Clark (14 points and 6 rebounds) led Illawarra, while Shea Ili (22 points) and Travers (15 points and 11 rebounds) carried United, with Grida remaining unavailable as Melbourne won 100-94.

2024/25
After reaching the semifinals the previous season, Illawarra entered Justin Tatum’s first full campaign without Gary Clark (to Yokohama), Justin Robinson (to Trapani), AJ Johnson (to Milwaukee), Kyle Adnam (to Cairns) and Biwali Bayles (to Nyon). Daniel Grida returned alongside Tyler Harvey, Sam Froling, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, William Hickey, Hyunjung Lee, Lachlan Olbrich, Mason Peatling and Todd Blanchfield, while Tatum added Trey Kell III (via Adelaide), Darius Days (via Winnipeg), Zac Triplett (via Melbourne) and Brad Ballinger (via Illawarra NBL1).

The fan favourite entered the final season of the two-year deal signed in March 2023, which kept him in Wollongong through NBL25 after two injury-interrupted campaigns and a knee injury limited him to ten games the previous season. At the time of signing, he said, “I love the club, coaches, my teammates and the city, and it was always my priority to sign a long-term contract with the Hawks.”

Illawarra opened the season at HoopsFest on September 21 with a 102-75 win over Cairns, where Grida (0 points in 3:37) appeared briefly off the bench as Days (20 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Froling (19 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block) led the Hawks, while Tanner Groves (19 points and 7 rebounds) was Cairns’ best.

Grida (2.2 points across 17 games) spent much of the regular season outside Tatum’s main rotation but continued to provide athleticism, defensive pressure and energy when called upon, with his opportunities increasing during the final weeks.

Grida (2 points and 2 rebounds) typified Illawarra’s effort against defending champion Tasmania on October 12 when he launched himself over the courtside advertising signage and into the crowd while attempting to keep the ball in play. Froling (21 points and 5 rebounds) and Harvey (19 points and 4 assists) led the Hawks to a 109-76 win, while Jordon Crawford (19 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) was Tasmania’s best.

His best regular-season scoring game came against New Zealand on February 5, where Grida (8 points, 1 rebound, and 1 steal) made all four field-goal attempts in 10:45 and completed the victory with a breakaway dunk as Illawarra won 96-82 and secured the first regular-season championship in club history. Harvey (29 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists) and Blanchfield (17 points and 4 rebounds) led the Hawks, while Tacko Fall (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks) was New Zealand’s best.

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, with Froling (14.6 points and 7.3 rebounds), Days (11.4 points and 6.6 rebounds), Hickey (8.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists), Olbrich (8.7 points and 3.8 rebounds), Swaka Lo Buluk (7.8 points) and Lee (7.7 points and 3.4 rebounds) forming one of the league’s deepest rotations. Harvey and Kell earned All-NBL First Team selections, Froling was named to the All-NBL Second Team and Tatum received the Lindsay Gaze Trophy as NBL Coach of the Year as Illawarra finished first with a 20-9 record.

Illawarra opened the semifinals at the WIN Entertainment Centre with a 101-94 win over South East Melbourne, where Grida (7 points) made all three field-goal attempts in 3:31 as 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) led the Hawks, while Joe Wieskamp (22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks), Nathan Sobey (17 points and 9 rebounds) and Derrick Walton Jr (15 points and 11 assists) led the Phoenix.

Grida’s best game of the season came in game two at John Cain Arena, where he finished with 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals during 11:07 off the bench. Hickey (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Froling (11 points and 5 rebounds) led Illawarra, but Matt Hurt (30 points and 2 blocks), Sobey (25 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Angus Glover (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists) carried South East Melbourne to a 101-94 win and levelled the series.

The deciding game returned to Wollongong, where Grida (4 points) contributed during nine minutes as Kell (30 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists), Blanchfield (28 points and 4 rebounds) and Harvey (12 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals) powered Illawarra to a 126-96 win, while Wieskamp (25 points and 5 rebounds), Sobey (19 points and 6 rebounds) and Owen Foxwell (13 points and 3 steals) led the Phoenix. Grida was ejected late following a heavy foul on Wieskamp and the confrontation which followed as the Hawks advanced to their first Grand Final since 2017.

The Grand Final series opened in Wollongong, where Melbourne defeated Illawarra 96-88 behind Matthew Dellavedova (18 points and 7 rebounds), Chris Goulding (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Marcus Lee (14 points, 15 rebounds, and 2 blocks), while Froling (16 points and 7 rebounds), Hickey (14 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals) and Blanchfield (13 points and 3 rebounds) led the Hawks. Grida (0 points in 13 seconds) appeared briefly.

Game two moved to John Cain Arena, where Grida (2 points, 1 assist, and 1 steal) contributed during eight minutes as Harvey (24 points), Froling (23 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Kell (18 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals) led Illawarra to a 102-100 win, while Ian Clark (31 points), Goulding (17 points and 4 assists) and Dellavedova (14 points and 5 assists) led Melbourne before Harvey made the winning three-pointer with six seconds remaining.

Melbourne regained control in game three with an 83-77 road win behind Jack 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), Days (11 points and 4 rebounds) and Kell (10 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Illawarra. Grida (1 rebound and 1 assist) played 1:43 in the loss.

Facing elimination in game four, Grida (1 point, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists) provided 14:36 off the bench as Hickey (22 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals), Olbrich (13 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Harvey (12 points and 4 rebounds) carried Illawarra to an 80-71 win, while Dellavedova (17 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists), Goulding (17 points and 5 rebounds) and Clark (16 points and 2 steals) led Melbourne. The Hawks entered without Kell because of a knee injury before Froling (5 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) ruptured his Achilles during the second quarter.

Game five returned to Wollongong, where Kell (26 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists), Hickey (21 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists) and Harvey (16 points and 7 rebounds) led Illawarra to a 114-104 win, while Goulding (21 points, 3 assists, and 2 blocks), Shea Ili (20 points, 6 assists, and 4 steals) and White (17 points and 7 rebounds) were Melbourne’s best. Dellavedova (5 points and 7 assists) was awarded the Larry Sengstock Trophy before handing it to Hickey as Illawarra claimed its second championship and first since 2001. Grida (2 points and 1 assist) played 7:24 in the championship win.

2025/26After winning its second NBL championship the previous season, Illawarra entered 2025/26 without Trey Kell III (to Toyama), Darius Days (to San-en), Lachlan Olbrich (to Chicago) and Hyunjung Lee (to Nagasaki), while Tyler Harvey, Sam Froling, William Hickey, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, Mason Peatling and Todd Blanchfield returned from the title-winning rotation.

Head coach Justin Tatum added imports JaQuori McLaughlin (via Jakarta) and JaVale McGee (via Bayamón), while Jonah Bolden (via Arecibo), Harry Froling (via Melbourne), Biwali Bayles (via Sydney), Johny Narkle (via Geraldton) and development player Jackson Ball (via Hawke’s Bay) also joined the roster.

Daniel Grida signed a two-year extension in April after helping Illawarra win the championship, keeping him with the Hawks through 2026/27. The agreement followed his first complete NBL season and full offseason after several years interrupted by knee injuries.

Illawarra raised its championship banner before opening the season against Tasmania at the WIN Entertainment Centre on September 27, where Grida (0 points in 10:32) appeared off the bench as the JackJumpers won 91-86. McGee (32 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) and Harvey (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Hawks, while Hamilton (21 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) was Tasmania’s best.

Grida (6.3 points across 29 games) increased his role to almost 12 minutes per game and produced his highest scoring average, shooting 59 per cent from the field and 48 per cent from three while providing defensive pressure, athleticism and energy off the bench. He also worked through concussion protocols and reached his 150th appearance for Illawarra.

Grida’s best scoring game came against Cairns on December 6, when he scored 12 quick points late in the third quarter and finished with a career-high 18 points and 1 rebound on 6-of-7 shooting, including both three-point attempts, but the Taipans defeated Illawarra 93-76. McGee (17 points and 11 rebounds) and Harvey (12 points) provided support, while Andrews (27 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists) led Cairns.

McLaughlin (7.7 points and 4 assists across 3 games) was released in October and replaced by Peterson (15.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists across 26 games), while Froling (11 points and 6.7 rebounds across 15 games) missed the opening months recovering from the Achilles injury he suffered in the previous Grand Final series and Bolden (4.4 points and 5.5 rebounds across 8 games) was ruled out with groin and foot injuries.

McGee (19.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks across 31 games) and Harvey (16.9 points and 3.6 assists across 31 games) led Illawarra’s offence, while Hickey (12.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists across 27 games), Swaka Lo Buluk (8 points across 33 games), Peatling (6.1 points and 4.8 rebounds across 33 games) and Blanchfield (5.1 points and 4.2 rebounds across 32 games) carried the remaining rotation. McGee was named to the All-NBL Second Team and won the club MVP award, while Grida received the Players’ Player and Most Improved Player awards and Swaka Lo Buluk was named Defensive Player of the Year.

Already eliminated from the postseason, Illawarra closed the season at MyState Bank Arena on February 18 with a 103-70 win over Tasmania, handing the JackJumpers their biggest home defeat in franchise history. Harvey (21 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Peterson (20 points and 3 assists) led the Hawks, while Bannan (17 points) was Tasmania’s best as Illawarra finished eighth with a 13-20 record, one win short of the play-in tournament. Grida (4 points and 3 rebounds) played 12:32 in the win.

Daniel Grida currently plays for the Illawarra Hawks and has played 144 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 4.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.4 assists since entering the league in 2018.

CURRENT CONTRACT:

Illawarra Hawks – 2 Year Deal (2025-27)

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