Jason Williams
July 23, 2020
Nathan Hawkes
- Nationality: AUS
- Date of Birth: 22/06/73
- Place of Birth: Adelaide (SA)
- Position: G/F
- Height (CM): 197
- Weight (KG): 87
- Junior Assoc: SA - Norwood
- College: None
- NBL DEBUT: 24/06/94
- AGE AT DEBUT: 21
- LAST NBL GAME: 3/05/04
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 30
- NBL History: Adelaide 1994-97, 2004 | Newcastle 1998
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Nathan Hawkes was born in Adelaide (SA) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Norwood basketball program.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Nathan Hawkes made his NBL debut with the Adelaide 36ers at 21 years of age. He scored two points in his first game.
1997
After reaching the semifinals in 1996, Adelaide lost club MVP Rick Brunson (to the United States) and Simon O’Donnell, while Mike Dunlap was replaced as coach by Dave Claxton. Brett Maher took over as captain from Mark Davis, with Leon Trimmingham, John Rillie, Brett Wheeler, Martin Cattalini, Davis, Brad McKinnon and Nathan Hawkes returning, while Rupert Sapwell (via Geelong), Scott Ninnis (via Newcastle) and import Jeff Brown were added.
Hawkes (5 points across 1 game) saw his NBL opportunities fall sharply after appearing in 17 games the previous season, spending 1997 primarily with North Adelaide where he won the Rockets’ Merv Harris Memorial Trophy as club MVP for the second consecutive year. His only NBL appearance was also his best game, with Hawkes (5 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 steal) playing three minutes, making two of three field goals and his only three-point attempt.
NEWCASTLE FALCONS
1998
After his NBL opportunities with Adelaide had fallen to a single three-minute appearance in 1997, where he recorded 5 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 steal, Nathan Hawkes spent most of the year with North Adelaide and won the Rockets’ Merv Harris Memorial Trophy as club MVP for the second consecutive season. Hawkes (via Adelaide) then joined a Newcastle team coming off a 12-18 season, with coach Shawn Dennis moving on from Scott McGregor (to Sydney), Ben Pepper (to North Melbourne), Dave Simmons and Butch Hays. Ben Melmeth, Tonny Jensen, Greg Blake, Damien Robertson and Mathew Low returned, while Isaac Burton (via Sydney), Terry Johnson (via Illawarra), Marc Brandon (via Illawarra) and Todd Mundt were also added. Johnson arrived wanting to prove he could run an NBL team at point guard after Illawarra had told him he was not a “point guard’s bootlace”, with Dennis willing to give him the opportunity.
Hawkes began his only season with Newcastle against South East Melbourne at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on January 30, finishing with 1 point, 1 rebound, 1 steal, and 1 block in 12 minutes. Burton (21 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) and Jensen (18 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) supplied most of Newcastle’s offence, while Clinton McDaniel (19 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, and 5 steals) led the Magic to a 93-73 win.
Hawkes (2.7 points across 29 games) returned to a regular NBL role after playing only once for Adelaide the previous season, averaging 12 minutes per game and appearing in 29 of Newcastle’s 30 contests. He shot 41 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range while filling a reserve role on the wing.
The Falcons lost their first four games before securing their opening victory against Townsville on February 21. Hawkes contributed 2 points, 1 rebound, and 1 steal in 12 minutes, while Johnson (28 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) and Melmeth (25 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) drove Newcastle to a 110-96 win.
Against NSW rival Sydney on March 3, Hawkes made both of his field-goal attempts for 4 points and 2 rebounds in six minutes as Newcastle produced a 112-85 rout at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre. Jensen (32 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals) delivered his season-high scoring performance and Burton (27 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 1 block) hurt his former club, while Shane Heal (21 points, 1 rebound, and 3 assists) led the Kings.
Hawkes needed only five minutes to score 6 points with 1 rebound when Newcastle travelled to Adelaide on April 9, making both of his field-goal attempts and both free throws. Jensen (27 points, 3 rebounds, and 11 assists) and Melmeth (24 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 assists) led the Falcons to a 111-85 upset of the eventual champions, while Darnell Mee (21 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) was Adelaide’s best.
His breakthrough performance came against Melbourne on April 20. Hawkes made 4-of-5 shots from the field, his only three-point attempt and both free throws to finish with a career-high 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist in 12 minutes. Jensen added 26 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal and Burton produced 23 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 block, while Andrew Gaze (37 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists) led Melbourne. Newcastle held on for a 113-109 road victory at the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre, with Hawkes’ 11 points remaining the highest-scoring game of his NBL career.
A four-game losing streak carried Newcastle into its May 9 meeting with Perth, where Hawkes scored 4 points with 1 rebound in 14 minutes. Jensen finished with 29 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals and Melmeth collected 16 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals, but Ricky Grace (29 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led the Wildcats to a 97-90 victory.
Newcastle rebounded six days later at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, with Hawkes adding 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist in 11 minutes during a 109-96 win over the Kings. Burton exploded for a season-high 38 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block against his former club and Melmeth added 24 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block, while Heal (23 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led Sydney.
Melmeth (21.6 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists across 30 games) developed into Newcastle’s leading scorer and rebounder after averaging 12.3 points and 8 rebounds the previous season, earning both NBL Most Improved Player and All-NBL First Team honours. Burton (19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.2 steals across 29 games) became another major offensive option and Jensen (18.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.3 steals across 30 games) remained productive on the perimeter. Mundt (13.6 points and 6 rebounds across 28 games) added frontcourt scoring, while Johnson (10.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.8 steals across 29 games) handled his switch to point guard well enough to earn an invitation to a Boomers selection camp. Newcastle struggled for production beyond that group, with the bench combining for around 12 points per game and Brandon (3.1 points across 28 games) its highest-scoring reserve. Beyond the 0-4 opening, the Falcons endured two separate three-game losing streaks during March, a four-game slide from late April into May and another three consecutive losses later in May.
Hawkes closed his Newcastle season at Melbourne Park on June 7 with 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists in 20 minutes. Melmeth produced a season-high 36 points with 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks and Jensen added 23 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal, while Gaze (28 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal) led Melbourne to a 102-100 victory. Newcastle finished 11th with a 9-21 record after North Melbourne won the head-to-head series 2-1, leaving the Falcons outside the playoffs.
Nathan Hawkes played six seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Adelaide 36ers and the Newcastle Falcons. He averaged 2.5 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in 72 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-04 | 30 | Adelaide | 14-19 (8) | 19 | 211 | 56 | 19 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 17 | 28 | 23 | 56 | 41% | 2 | 12 | 17% | 8 | 15 | 53% | 45% | 43% | 8 |
| 1998 | 25 | Newcastle | 9-21 (11) | 29 | 347 | 79 | 43 | 16 | 21 | 22 | 7 | 5 | 19 | 35 | 35 | 85 | 41% | 2 | 5 | 40% | 7 | 9 | 78% | 44% | 42% | 11 |
| 1997 | 24 | Adelaide | 14-16 (7) | 1 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 67% | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 83% | 83% | 5 |
| 1996 | 23 | Adelaide | 16-10 (6) | 17 | 128 | 34 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 15 | 14 | 36 | 39% | 2 | 7 | 29% | 4 | 5 | 80% | 45% | 42% | 5 |
| 1995 | 22 | Adelaide | 17-9 (4) | 4 | 21 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 38% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 38% | 38% | 2 |
| 1994 | 21 | Adelaide | 18-8 (4) | 2 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 100% | 100% | 2 | Totals | 72 | 717 | 182 | 81 | 36 | 39 | 42 | 16 | 7 | 49 | 82 | 78 | 189 | 41.3% | 7 | 25 | 28.0% | 19 | 29 | 65.5% | 45% | 43% | 11 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-04 | 30 | Adelaide | 14-19 (8) | 19 | 11.1 | 2.9 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 41% | 0.1 | 0.6 | 17% | 0.4 | 0.8 | 53% | 45% | 43% | 8 |
| 1998 | 25 | Newcastle | 9-21 (11) | 29 | 12.0 | 2.7 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 41% | 0.1 | 0.2 | 40% | 0.2 | 0.3 | 78% | 44% | 42% | 11 |
| 1997 | 24 | Adelaide | 14-16 (7) | 1 | 3.0 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 67% | 1.0 | 1.0 | 100% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 83% | 83% | 5 |
| 1996 | 23 | Adelaide | 16-10 (6) | 17 | 7.5 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 39% | 0.1 | 0.4 | 29% | 0.2 | 0.3 | 80% | 45% | 42% | 5 |
| 1995 | 22 | Adelaide | 17-9 (4) | 4 | 5.3 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 2.0 | 38% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 38% | 38% | 2 |
| 1994 | 21 | Adelaide | 18-8 (4) | 2 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 100% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 100% | 100% | 2 | Total | 72 | 10.0 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 2.6 | 41.3% | 0.1 | 0.3 | 28.0% | 0.3 | 0.4 | 65.5% | 45% | 43% | 11 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 11 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- North Adelaide 1997-15
Hawkes played for North Adelaide during the 1996 season and won the Rockets’ Merv Harris Memorial Trophy as club MVP. He retained the award in 1997, giving him consecutive club MVP honours.
Hawkes remained with North Adelaide from 1997 through 2015. After Billy Fikes won the club MVP in each of the next three seasons, Hawkes reclaimed the Merv Harris Memorial Trophy in 2001 and retained it in 2002 and 2003.
His 2003 season also brought selection in the mens All-Star Five alongside Paul Bauer, Jacob Holmes, Jason Dix and Blake Truslove. Hawkes then shared North Adelaides Merv Harris Memorial Trophy with Ben Groves in 2004, giving him six club MVP awards across 1996, 1997 and 2001–2004.
Hawkes was part of North Adelaides 2007 championship team. The Rockets defeated Norwood 85–74 in the grand final to claim their first mens championship since 1983, with Dusty Rychart named grand final MVP after helping North establish a 49–27 half-time lead.
He continued playing for North Adelaide through the 2015 season, completing a long run with the Rockets that spanned the ABA, Central ABL and Premier League eras.
COACHING HISTORY
Hawkes moved into the North Adelaide men's head-coaching role and was named Premier League Coach of the Year in 2015. The same season, Rockets guard Aric Miller was named league MVP and selected to the All-Star Five.
North Adelaide finished the 2016 Premier League season seventh with a 6–15 record under Hawkes before reshaping the roster for 2017 with Aric Miller returning and Alex Starling joining the team.
The Rockets made a major improvement in 2017 and entered the final round on top of the Premier League ladder with a chance to secure the minor premiership. Hawkes coached a group featuring Miller, Starling, Luke Mapunda, Darcy Aistrope, John Wernham and a number of younger players as North returned to the finals.
Hawkes remained in charge through the following seasons and was still coaching North Adelaide in 2019, with the men's program continuing as a regular finals contender during his tenure. He also worked alongside the club and other Premier League coaches during preparations for Mount Gambier's entry into the competition in 2019.
His tenure continued into 2020, when the planned inaugural NBL1 Central season was cancelled because of COVID-19. North Adelaide appointed Dean Nyberg as men's head coach for 2021 on 4 November 2020, ending Hawkes' tenure after he had restored the Rockets to consistent contention in the Premier League.
Related
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