BIO: Mason Peatling was born in Melbourne (VIC) where he attended Beaconhills College. He first began playing basketball as a junior with the Dandenong Rangers, and represented his state multiple times at the Australian Junior Basketball Championships, before being recruited to Eastern Washington Eagles in 2015.

Be it as a starter or off the bench, Peatling carved himself a reputation as a enforcer within the NBL. A player who could impact the game at both ends of the floor.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Mason Peatling made his NBL debut with the Melbourne United at 23 years of age. He scored one point in his first NBL game.

Mason Peatling signed a three-year deal as a development player with Melbourne United, eventually earning a full roster spot for his second and third seasons. During his first season, Peatling worked his way into the starting lineup by season’s end due to team injuries, making history as the first development player to start in an NBL Grand Final series game.

2022/23
Melbourne entered NBL23 after finishing the previous regular season first with a 20-8 record before losing the deciding semifinal against Tasmania without injured captain Chris Goulding. Jo Lual-Acuil (to China) departed during the off-season, while contracted starters Matthew Dellavedova (to Sacramento) and Jack White (to Denver) received late NBA opportunities, leaving coach Dean Vickerman scrambling to rebuild after most available players had already signed. Isaac Humphries (via Adelaide), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (via Illawarra), Rayjon Tucker and Jordan Caroline were added, while David Barlow returned after initially announcing his retirement.

Mason Peatling entered the final season of the three-year deal he had signed as a development player in 2020, having earned a full roster position for the second and third years of the contract. He underwent surgery on his right knee during the off-season and missed Melbourne’s opening 10 games while recovering, with Next Star Ariel Hukporti also ruled out for the entire season after rupturing his Achilles during the NBL Blitz.

Melbourne released Caroline (5.5 points and 6.2 rebounds across 6 games) during November after he struggled to establish himself as an undersized centre and signed Marcus Lee (8.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks across 17 games) for the remainder of the season, giving United another recognised big man alongside Humphries.

Peatling returned against Adelaide at John Cain Arena on November 17, finishing with 11 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block from the bench, but Melbourne lost 91-86 despite Tucker (23 points and 5 rebounds) and Rathan-Mayes (15 points and 4 rebounds) leading United, while Robert Franks (21 points and 11 rebounds) was Adelaide’s best. “It felt awesome playing in front of the fans again… I’m really glad to be a part of it again,” Peatling said after missing the first six rounds.

Peatling (5.3 points and 4.3 rebounds across 18 games) appeared in every remaining game after returning and moved into the starting lineup for Melbourne’s final 10 fixtures. His rebounding, physical defence and willingness to make effort plays helped United improve after falling to 5-10 during a five-game losing streak.

His best game came against Illawarra at John Cain Arena on December 18, where Peatling (19 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) made eight of nine shots, including both three-point attempts, during his first start of the season as Melbourne defeated the Hawks 88-77. Goulding (25 points and 3 rebounds) and Humphries (13 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block) provided support, while Michael Frazier II (27 points and 3 assists) was Illawarra’s best. The career-high performance helped United win for the third time in four games, with Vickerman describing Peatling’s effort as “just an unbelievable game.”

Tucker (18.1 points and 6.1 rebounds across 28 games) and Goulding (17.1 points across 27 games) led Melbourne offensively, while Rathan-Mayes (14.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists across 28 games), Humphries (9.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks across 23 games) and Shea Ili (8.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists across 14 games) were the other major contributors alongside Lee and Peatling. Goulding received All-NBL Second Team honours and Melbourne’s Most Valuable Player award, while Lee was named the club’s Defensive Player of the Year. Humphries also publicly came out as gay during the season, with Melbourne helping introduce the NBL’s inaugural Champion Pride Round.

Peatling’s late-season form earned him his first Australian Boomers selection for the February World Cup qualifying window, where he made his international debut against Bahrain and Kazakhstan. With his three-year Melbourne contract expiring, he later signed a two-year deal with Illawarra for NBL24.

Melbourne entered its final game needing to defeat Adelaide and receive a favourable result from Sydney’s game against Perth to qualify for the play-in tournament. Peatling (9 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists), Tucker (31 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block) and Goulding (23 points and 2 steals) helped United defeat the 36ers 116-107 before 10,175 fans at John Cain Arena on February 5, while Antonius Cleveland (30 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) was Adelaide’s best. Perth then defeated Sydney 96-84 to claim sixth place on points percentage, leaving Melbourne seventh with a 15-13 record.

ILLAWARRA HAWKS
2023/24
After injuries contributed to the worst season in club history, Illawarra entered Jacob Jackomas’ second year as head coach looking to recover from a 3-25 campaign. 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).

Peatling joined Illawarra on a two-year deal after 87 games and three seasons with Melbourne United, including its 2021 championship. Hawks GM of Basketball Mat Campbell said, “The power forward position is crucial in this league, and Mason was one of the first names we identified when free agency began. Mason’s a competitor and a winner, and his best basketball is ahead of him. His skill set meets our roster’s needs, and we are excited to add him to our young and developing front line.”

Illawarra opened the season against Sydney at the WIN Entertainment Centre on September 30, where Peatling (0 points, 1 assist, and 1 steal) played 11:56 off the bench in his first game for the Hawks, but the Kings won 96-81. Harvey (19 points and 3 steals) and Grida (14 points and 7 rebounds) led Illawarra, while Kouat Noi (23 points and 4 rebounds) was Sydney’s leading scorer.

Peatling (3.2 points across 27 games) provided a physical frontcourt option behind Froling and Clark, but his introduction to Illawarra was interrupted by a fractured cheekbone suffered after an accidental collision with a teammate during Round 2. The injury kept him out until November, with Peatling returning against Cairns after missing six games.

Peatling’s best regular-season scoring game came against South East Melbourne on December 16, where Peatling (11 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, and 1 steal) made four of five shots and all three free throws in 19:06 as Illawarra defeated the Phoenix 100-72. Harvey (25 points and 5 rebounds) and Froling (16 points and 6 rebounds) led the Hawks, while Alan Williams (17 points and 12 rebounds) was South East Melbourne’s best.

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 leading the Hawks to four wins from their next six games. 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. Peatling remained part of the frontcourt rotation throughout the coaching change, supplying rebounding, defence and relief minutes from the bench.

The Hawks closed the regular season at John Cain Arena on February 18, where Peatling (8 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) made all four field-goal attempts in 14:37, but Melbourne won 92-87. Robinson (14 points and 5 assists) and Harvey (13 points) led Illawarra, while Chris Goulding (19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) was Melbourne’s leading scorer as the Hawks finished fourth with a 14-14 record.

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), Swaka Lo Buluk (6 points across 32 games) and Hickey (5.2 points across 25 games) were the other main contributors. Swaka Lo Buluk was named the Hawks’ Defensive Player of the Year, while Grida received the Players’ Player and Community awards as Illawarra improved from 80.8 to 91.6 points per game.

Illawarra opened the postseason against Tasmania at MyState Bank Arena, where Peatling (0 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal) played 8:37 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 Jack McVeigh (26 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Will 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 Peatling (3 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal) played 11:12 as Illawarra won 88-85 behind Robinson (26 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Froling (21 points and 9 rebounds). Parker Jackson-Cartwright (19 points, 9 assists, and 2 steals) and Zylan Cheatham (14 points and 9 rebounds) led the Breakers before Illawarra advanced to the semifinals.

Peatling’s best all-round game came in the semifinal opener at John Cain Arena, where Peatling (6 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals) played 17:57 as Illawarra built a 16-point fourth-quarter lead. Froling (26 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block) and Clark (22 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Hawks, 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’s comeback before United won 115-106 in overtime.

Game two moved to the WIN Entertainment Centre, where Peatling (2 points, 1 assist, and 1 steal) played 6:45 as 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. Hickey scored after Clark’s missed shot as regulation expired to force overtime before the Hawks won 113-108, while Dellavedova (20 points and 8 assists), Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (18 points and 7 rebounds) and Ian Clark (17 points) led Melbourne.

Game three returned to John Cain Arena, 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), Travers (15 points and 11 rebounds) and Goulding (14 points) carried Melbourne to a 100-94 victory and ended the Hawks’ season one game short of the Grand Final. Peatling (0 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) played 12:06 minutes in the loss.

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). Mason Peatling returned alongside Tyler Harvey, Sam Froling, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, William Hickey, Hyunjung Lee, Lachlan Olbrich, Todd Blanchfield and Daniel Grida, while Tatum added Trey Kell III (via Adelaide), Darius Days (via Winnipeg), Zac Triplett (via Melbourne) and Brad Ballinger (via Illawarra NBL1).

Peatling entered the final season of the two-year deal he signed with Illawarra in 2023, having previously won the 2021 championship with Melbourne.

Illawarra opened the season at HoopsFest on September 21 with a 102-75 win over Cairns, where Peatling (2 rebounds and 1 assist) played four minutes 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.

Peatling (5 points and 4 rebounds across 28 games) began the campaign at the end of Tatum’s rotation before moving into the starting lineup against New Zealand on November 28. The change allowed Days to strengthen the second unit and helped provide greater balance across Illawarra’s frontcourt, with the Hawks’ season clicking into gear after Peatling entered the starting five.

His first major performance as a starter came in Perth on December 6, where Peatling (14 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists) shot 6-of-8 from the field as Illawarra defeated the Wildcats 121-111. Kell (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Froling (17 points and 6 rebounds) provided support, while Bryce Cotton (40 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Perth.

Peatling’s best game came against Brisbane on January 20, where he shot 7-of-8 from the field and finished with 15 points and 7 rebounds as Illawarra dismantled the Bullets 121-87. After Brisbane reduced the margin to four points during the second quarter, Peatling scored seven points during a 13-0 response and added Illawarra’s final four points before half-time, with Froling (17 points and 7 rebounds) and Swaka Lo Buluk (16 points) helping the Hawks record 37 assists, while Keandre Cook (19 points and 8 rebounds) led Brisbane. Tatum said, “A sense of urgency was one thing we wanted to play with.”

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 the league’s deepest rotation. Peatling received Illawarra’s Players’ Player Award, while Tatum earned the Lindsay Gaze Trophy as NBL Coach of the Year, Harvey and Kell were selected to the All-NBL First Team and Froling earned All-NBL Second Team honours. The Hawks finished first with a 20-9 record and secured the first regular-season championship in club history.

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 behind 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 Peatling (3 points and 2 assists) started for the Hawks. 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.

Game two moved to the State Basketball Centre, where Peatling (8 points and 6 rebounds), Hickey (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Froling (11 points and 5 rebounds) led Illawarra, but South East Melbourne levelled the series with a 101-94 win behind 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).

The deciding game returned to Wollongong, where Peatling (5 points, 1 assist, and 1 block) contributed off the bench 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 South East Melbourne.

The Grand Final series opened in Wollongong, where Peatling (4 rebounds and 1 block) started alongside Froling (16 points and 7 rebounds), Hickey (14 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals) and Blanchfield (13 points and 3 rebounds), but 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) led Melbourne to a 96-88 win.

Game two moved to John Cain Arena, where Peatling (1 steal and 1 block) contributed 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 Peatling (8 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists), Hickey (12 points) and Days (11 points and 4 rebounds) led Illawarra. Kell suffered a knee injury late in the game and was ruled out of game four.

Facing elimination at John Cain Arena, Peatling (7 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) provided important frontcourt minutes 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) led 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. Froling (5 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) ruptured his Achilles during the second quarter, leaving the Hawks without their starting centre for the deciding game.

Game five returned to Wollongong, where Kell (26 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists), Hickey (21 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists), Harvey (16 points and 7 rebounds) and Swaka Lo Buluk (16 points) led Illawarra, 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, while Peatling (3 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) started in place of Froling as Illawarra won 114-104, completed the series 3-2 and delivered him his second NBL championship.

2025/26After 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-en), Lachlan Olbrich (to Chicago) and Hyunjung Lee (to Nagasaki) departed, while Tyler Harvey, Sam Froling, William Hickey, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, Mason Peatling, Todd Blanchfield and Daniel Grida returned from the championship roster. Tatum added JaVale McGee (via Bayamón), Jonah Bolden (via Arecibo), JaQuori McLaughlin (via Jakarta), Harry Froling (via Melbourne), Biwali Bayles (via Sydney), Jackson Ball (via Hawke’s Bay) and Johny Narkle (via Geraldton), with Sam Froling unavailable while recovering from the Achilles injury suffered during the previous Championship Series.

Fresh from winning his second NBL championship, the 28-year-old re-signed with Illawarra on a two-year deal in April 2025, keeping him with the Hawks through NBL27. The club viewed him as an elite connector whose professionalism, work ethic and ability to lead by example made him an important part of its attempt to win consecutive titles.

Illawarra raised its championship banner at the WIN Entertainment Centre on September 27, where Peatling (2 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) started, but Tasmania defeated the Hawks 91-86. McGee (32 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) and Harvey (19 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Illawarra, while Bryce Hamilton (21 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) was Tasmania’s best.

Peatling (6.1 points and 4.8 rebounds across 33 games) appeared in every game and made 21 starts, producing career-high averages in scoring, rebounding and assists while remaining a dependable frontcourt connector. He moved between the starting lineup and bench as injuries changed Illawarra’s frontcourt rotation.

His best scoring game came at the State Basketball Centre on January 8, where Peatling (15 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) made seven of eight shots, but South East Melbourne defeated Illawarra 124-113 in overtime. Froling (22 points and 9 rebounds) and Peterson (22 points) led the Hawks, while Nathan Sobey (37 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals) dominated the extra period.

His best all-round game came against Sydney at the WIN Entertainment Centre on February 13, where Peatling (11 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) almost produced a double-double, but the Kings defeated Illawarra 120-94 and ended the Hawks’ remaining finals hopes. Harvey (16 points and 5 assists) and Froling (14 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists) were Illawarra’s other leading performers, while Kendric Davis (24 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 steals) led Sydney.

McLaughlin (7.7 points and 4 assists across 3 games) was released after Illawarra’s 0-3 start, with Quentin Peterson (via Xinjiang) signed as his replacement. Peterson (15.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists across 26 games) became the team’s third-leading scorer, while Bolden (4.4 points and 5.5 rebounds across 8 games) suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during the FIBA break and Froling (11 points and 6.7 rebounds across 15 games) returned on Christmas night after missing the opening 18 games. Peatling remained an important part of the frontcourt rotation throughout the changes.

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, with Peterson, Hickey (12.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists across 27 games), Froling, Swaka Lo Buluk (8 points across 33 games), Grida (6.3 points across 29 games) and Blanchfield (5.1 points and 4.2 rebounds across 32 games) the other main contributors. McGee was named club MVP, Grida received the Players’ Player and Most Improved Player awards, Swaka Lo Buluk was named Defensive Player of the Year and Peatling received the Coaches’ Award.

Illawarra finished eighth with a 13-20 record and closed the season at MyState Bank Arena on February 18, where Peatling (9 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) came off the bench as Harvey (21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Peterson (20 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Hawks, while Josh Bannan (17 points and 4 rebounds) was Tasmania’s best as Illawarra defeated the JackJumpers 103-70.

Mason Peatling currently plays for the Illawarra Hawks and has played 175 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 4.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1 assists since entering the league in 2021.

CURRENT CONTRACT:

Illawarra Hawks – 2 Year Deal (2025-27)