BIO: Tim Coenraad was born in Brisbane (QLD) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Redlands basketball program.

FAMILY: His grandfather was Louis Farrakhan – the longstanding leader of the Nation of Islam.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Tim Coenraad made his NBL debut with the Wollongong Hawks at 24 years of age. He scored three points in his first game.

The Hawks entered the 2009/10 season with optimism and a renewed vision under first-year head coach Gordie McLeod. The league experienced one of its tightest seasons in history, as Wollongong finished in a three-way tie for second place alongside Townsville and Gold Coast. All three teams concluded the regular season with identical 16–12 records. However, head-to-head results saw the Hawks (5–3) claim the second seed, with the Crocodiles (4–4) in third and the Blaze (3–5) rounding out the playoffs.

The Hawks’ season faced a significant hurdle mid-year when star import Tywain McKee was sidelined after suffering two stress fractures in his lower back. McKee had been instrumental in the team’s early success, averaging 17.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals before his injury ended his season. To address the void left by McKee, Wollongong signed journeyman guard Luke Martin to see out the remaining 13 games of the regular season. This shift placed greater responsibility on the Hawks’ core of local talent to lead their playoff push.

The team rose to the challenge, led by standout performances from Cam Tragardh (14.7 points and 5.4 rebounds), Glen Saville (10.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.3 steals), team captain Mat Campbell (10.3 points and 3.0 rebounds), and Larry Davidson (9.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.3 steals). Davidson’s efforts earned him the Hawks’ MVP award, recognising his vital contributions on both ends of the court. Rookie forward Tim Coenraad also played an important role off the bench, appearing in all 34 games and averaging 7.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.

The Hawks’ postseason campaign began with a gritty semi-final series against the third-seeded Townsville Crocodiles. Wollongong triumphed in the best-of-three series (2–1) to secure a spot in the NBL Grand Final for the third time in franchise history. Coenraad, despite limited playing time, had his best game in the Game 2 loss, contributing five points and two rebounds. The series set the stage for a showdown with the league’s top-seeded Perth Wildcats (17–11).

Game 1 of the Grand Final, hosted in Perth, saw the Wildcats claim a 75–64 victory. Wildcats guard Kevin Lisch spearheaded the win with 15 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block. The series then shifted to Wollongong for Game 2, where the Hawks responded in dominant fashion. Cam Tragardh delivered a stellar 28-point performance on 12-of-20 shooting, while the Hawks’ defense contained Lisch to just 11 points, securing a 75–63 win and forcing a decisive Game 3.

The Grand Final series returned to Perth for the climactic showdown. Despite building an early 11-point lead in the second quarter, the Hawks could not withstand a resurgent Wildcats side led by Lisch. The guard redeemed himself from Game 2 with an outstanding 29-point, 5-rebound effort to propel Perth to a commanding 96–72 victory. The win secured the Wildcats’ fifth NBL Championship, with Lisch earning Finals MVP honours after averaging 18 points and 4 rebounds across the three-game series. Tragardh stood out as the Hawks’ most consistent performer in the finals, while Coenraad managed just one point in the Game 3 loss.

Reflecting on the season, McLeod and the Hawks overcame significant adversity, including McKee’s mid-season injury, to finish as one of the league’s top teams. Their ability to rally behind local talent and the contributions of key players like Davidson, Saville, and Tragardh demonstrated the team’s resilience. Although the championship eluded them, Wollongong’s remarkable journey solidified their place among the NBL’s elite for the 2009/10 campaign.

2010/11
In 2010/11, Gary Ervin led the Wollongong Hawks with standout averages of 20.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.3 steals across 27 games. His dynamic playmaking and scoring ability earned him the NBL MVP award, making him the first Hawk to win the prestigious honor since Mike Jones in 1981. Despite Ervin’s exceptional individual performance, the Hawks finished the regular season with a 15–13 record, placing fifth and narrowly missing out on the playoffs.

The Hawks’ success was driven by a balanced team effort alongside Ervin’s brilliance. Oscar Forman (13.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists) emerged as a reliable scoring and rebounding option, stretching the floor with his shooting ability. Larry Davidson (9.9 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists) anchored the frontcourt, consistently providing strong interior play on both ends of the floor. Glen Saville (9.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists) contributed his trademark versatility, offering scoring, rebounding, and playmaking, while his leadership proved invaluable throughout the season.

Tim Coenraad (8.2 points and 3.1 rebounds) provided scoring depth off the bench, showcasing his ability to hit crucial shots when called upon. Mat Campbell (7.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists) brought experience and steady perimeter shooting, while Rhys Martin (6.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists) added playmaking in limited action, despite being restricted to just 15 games due to injury.

Other contributors included Tyson Demos (5.7 points and 1.9 rebounds), who provided energy and hustle off the bench, and David Gruber (4.6 points and 3.4 rebounds), who offered valuable minutes in the frontcourt rotation. Tim Behrendorff (3.5 points and 1.4 rebounds) and younger players like Zac Delaney and Daniel Jackson also made appearances, though their roles were limited.

2011/12
The 2011/12 season was a challenging one for the Hawks, as they finished in eighth place with a 9–19 record. Tim Coenraad provided steady contributions, averaging 8.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 0.9 assists during the regular season.

2012/13
In 2012/13, Tim Coenraad elevated his performance, averaging 8.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.9 assists. He played a pivotal role in the Hawks’ rotation, helping the team secure a third-place finish in the regular season with a 13–15 record.

2013/14
The 2013/14 season saw Tim Coenraad maintain his consistent production, averaging 8.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. In February 2014, he achieved a career-high 28-point performance against the Adelaide 36ers. Coenraad’s contributions were instrumental in helping the Hawks finish fourth in the regular season with a 13–15 record, earning them a spot in the playoffs.

2014/15
The 2014/15 season was a challenging one for Wollongong. While the Hawks finished the season with a disappointing 6-22 record and missed the playoffs, the campaign was marked by instability both on and off the court, culminating in the Hawks being placed into Voluntary Administration at the end of the season (March 2, 2015). This decision highlighted the financial struggles that loomed over the franchise, underscoring the challenges faced by the organisation as mounting debts and uncertain ownership compounded the team’s on-court difficulties.

The team was led in scoring by import guards Jahii Carson (14.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists) and Gary Ervin (14.1 points, 3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists). Rhys Martin (9.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists) also played a pivotal role in the backcourt, delivering the best season of his career while leading the team in steals with 1.5 per contest.

Despite the team’s struggles on the court, Tim Coenraad (10.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists) provided consistent efforts on both ends of the floor and was named the Hawks’ Most Valuable Player for the season.

In the frontcourt, Oscar Forman (9.2 points and 5.2 rebounds), Luke Nevill (7.1 points and 5.6 rebounds), and Larry Davidson (5.9 points and 5.8 rebounds) made solid contributions.

On February 13, 2015, Adam Ballinger (4.2 points and 2.4 rebounds) announced his decision to retire at the end of the season. Ballinger had rejoined the Hawks for a second stint after being released by Melbourne just weeks before the NBL opening round, leaving him with no option but to sign with Illawarra, the only team that had a roster spot available for minimal wage. In his final NBL game, he started in place of Larry Davidson, recording 9 points and 5 rebounds in a loss to Ballinger’s former team, the Adelaide 36ers.

2015/16
Following the departure of long-time coach Gordie McLeod, Rob Beveridge was appointed head coach of the Wollongong Hawks for the 2015/16 season. Beveridge made significant roster changes in his first season, signing AJ Ogilvy, Kirk Penney, and Kevin Lisch, all of whom had been playing in Europe the previous year. The trio, nicknamed “the three-headed monster,” brought high expectations to the team, but a knee injury to Lisch in the opening game of the season limited their time on the court together during the first month.

Lisch made his return with a strong performance, contributing 15 points and 7 rebounds in a loss to his former team, the Perth Wildcats (106–99). By December, Lisch was in full form, leading the Hawks to five wins in six games and earning NBL Player of the Month honours. During this stretch, Lisch averaged 22.7 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game. His standout performance came in a double-overtime victory against the New Zealand Breakers (103–96) in Auckland, where he scored a career-high 40 points. Four days later, Lisch marked his 150th NBL game, though the Hawks fell to Perth once again.

Illawarra concluded the regular season in third place with a 17–11 record, setting up a semi-final series against the second-seeded Perth Wildcats. In Game 1, the Hawks faced a major setback when Lisch suffered a left ankle injury late in the first quarter. He did not return to the game and reappeared on the bench in the second half wearing a moon boot and using crutches. Without Lisch, the Hawks were overpowered, losing the game in Perth (80–68).

In Game 2, Lisch remained sidelined, but the Hawks rallied on their home court, defeating the Wildcats (76–70) to force a deciding third game. Ogilvy was instrumental in the win, dominating inside with 22 points and 9 rebounds. The series then returned to Perth for Game 3. Despite Lisch returning to the lineup, the Wildcats proved too strong, defeating the Hawks (89–74) to advance to the Grand Final and eliminating Illawarra from the playoffs.

The Hawks’ strong regular season was reflected in the league’s awards. Penney was named to the All-NBL Second Team, while both Ogilvy and Lisch earned All-NBL First Team honours. Ogilvy averaged 16.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, solidifying his reputation as one of the league’s best big men. Lisch, meanwhile, added to his accolades by winning the Best Defensive Player award and capturing his second NBL MVP title, making him only the second player in league history to win the award with two different teams.

The 2015/16 season marked a significant turnaround for the Hawks under Beveridge’s leadership. Despite their semi-final exit, the team’s resurgence and the individual brilliance of players like Lisch and Ogilvy provided a strong foundation for future success.

2016/17
The 2016/17 off-season was a challenging one for the Illawarra Hawks, starting with the departure of key players. Kevin Lisch, the reigning NBL MVP, was lured away by a lucrative contract from rivals Sydney Kings, a deal that far exceeded what the Hawks could afford. Additionally, veteran sharpshooter Kirk Penney opted to return to his native New Zealand to play for the Breakers, leaving significant gaps in Illawarra’s roster.

In response, head coach Rob Beveridge moved quickly to rebuild the team. He targeted Mitch Norton and Nick Kay, both of whom were highly sought after by multiple NBL clubs following the Townsville Crocodiles’ demise after the 2015/16 season. Despite receiving higher financial offers elsewhere, the duo chose Illawarra on the recommendation of former Crocodiles coach Shawn Dennis, who emphasized Beveridge’s coaching pedigree. Both players signed two-year deals with the Hawks in April 2016.

To replace Lisch, Beveridge brought back former Hawk and NBL MVP Rotnei Clarke, who rejoined the team as a marquee signing. Clarke was paired with import Marvelle Harris to form a dynamic backcourt, while the Hawks retained core players Oscar Forman, Tim Coenraad, Rhys Martin, and Kevin White, ensuring continuity amidst the roster overhaul.

The Hawks struggled early in the season as the new-look squad took time to gel. After the first four rounds, they were at the bottom of the NBL ladder. However, behind the high-scoring Clarke, who averaged 17 points per game, Illawarra rallied in the second half of the season. A strong finish allowed them to secure a playoff spot, narrowly claiming fourth place by a single game. Tim Coenraad contributed solidly throughout the regular season, averaging 7.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists.

In the semi-finals, the Hawks faced the top-seeded Adelaide 36ers, who had dominated the regular season. Adelaide easily won Game 1 (93–78), with Jerome Randle leading the way with 26 points and 4 assists. However, the Hawks staged a remarkable upset by winning the next two games to take the series. In Game 2, Illawarra edged Adelaide in a high-scoring contest (100–94), setting up a decisive Game 3. Clarke was instrumental in the series-clinching victory, scoring 20 points as the Hawks triumphed 106–98, ending Adelaide’s season in dramatic fashion.

The Grand Final series pitted the Hawks against Beveridge’s former team, the Perth Wildcats, who were seeking their eighth NBL championship. Perth dominated the series, sweeping the Hawks in three straight games. In Game 1, Defensive Player of the Year Damian Martin smothered Clarke, limiting him to just eight shots. Meanwhile, Bryce Cotton emerged as the star of the series, delivering one of the greatest individual performances in NBL Finals history with a record-setting 45 points in Game 3. Cotton’s heroics secured Perth’s championship and earned him the NBL Finals MVP award.

While the season ended in disappointment for the Hawks, their resilient playoff run and the contributions of players like Rotnei Clarke, Mitch Norton, and Nick Kay demonstrated the potential of Beveridge’s new-look squad.

2017/18
Following the departure of import duo Marvelle Harris and Michael Holyfield, coach Rob Beveridge secured the return of former NBL MVP Rotnei Clarke, while adding two seasoned imports, Demitrius Conger and Delvon Johnson.

Demitrius Conger (19.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 steals) delivered an outstanding season. Beveridge described the off-season moves as critical to maintaining the Hawks’ competitiveness, referring to Conger as, “I always said we needed a stud three-man, and I feel very confident that we’ve found him.” Conger’s ability to score from all areas of the court, coupled with his defensive prowess and athleticism, established him as one of the league’s premier players. Beveridge even compared Conger’s versatility to Hawks legend Glen Saville.

Rotnei Clarke (18 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists) provided crucial scoring and leadership, particularly in tight contests. His sharpshooting and clutch play bolstered the Hawks’ offensive arsenal, helping them remain competitive in a fiercely contested league.

The Hawks were on track to make the playoffs before an incident mid-season that saw Conger receive a striking charge for a hit on Sydney Kings forward Brad Newley during a hard screen. Conger’s suspension for two games proved costly, as Illawarra lost both contests and ultimately finished in fifth place with a 12-16 record, narrowly missing the playoffs by a single win.

Conger’s overall impact on the season remained undeniable, as he finished second in league MVP voting and earned All-NBL First Team honours, solidifying his reputation as one of the league’s top talents.

Delvon Johnson (4.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks) underperformed relative to expectations, drawing criticism from both media and fans, with calls for his replacement surfacing mid-season.

Other key contributors included Nicholas Kay (11.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists), AJ Ogilvy (9.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks), Mitchell Norton (7.8 points and 2.2 assists), and Tim Coenraad (6.9 points and 3 rebounds). Kevin White (2.8 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists) was named captain, providing leadership and defensive intensity, while Oscar Forman (3.7 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.2 assists) played in his final NBL season, offering veteran presence and guidance to the team.

2018/19
After finishing fifth with a 12-16 record and missing the playoffs the previous season, Illawarra reshaped its roster under coach Rob Beveridge. Oscar Forman (retired), Nick Kay (to Perth), Mitch Norton (to Perth), Demitrius Conger (to Spain), Rotnei Clarke (to Italy), Delvon Johnson (to Slovakia), Cody Ellis (free agent) and Rhys Martin (free agent) departed. AJ Ogilvy, Tim Coenraad, Nic Pozoglou and captain Kevin White returned, while Todd Blanchfield (via Sydney), David Andersen (via Melbourne), Brian Conklin (via France), Jordair Jett (via Townsville Heat), Cedric Jackson (via USA), Emmett Naar, Daniel Grida and Marshall Nelson were added. Coenraad had originally joined Wollongong in 2009 after completing his college career at Nova Southeastern and entered the season as one of the Hawks’ longest-serving players.

Illawarra opened the season against defending champion Melbourne at WIN Entertainment Centre on October 12, where Coenraad’s best game of the season saw him come off the bench for 15 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block in a remarkable quadruple-overtime contest before the Hawks fell 122-123. Blanchfield (26 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Ogilvy (15 points, 21 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) were also outstanding for Illawarra, while Josh Boone (24 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 blocks) led Melbourne.

Coenraad (8.7 points and 4 rebounds across 27 games) remained one of Beveridge’s main weapons off the bench, starting only three games and shooting 39 per cent from three-point range. His 18 points was his highest scoring game of the season.

One of his other best performances came against Sydney on November 2, where Coenraad (16 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals) shared the team-high in scoring, but Illawarra fell 79-86. Blanchfield (16 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Jett (14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) were the Hawks’ other leading performers, while Andrew Bogut (21 points, 14 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) led Sydney.

Coenraad’s season-high scoring game came against league-leading Sydney on January 5, where he came off the bench for 18 points and 6 rebounds as Illawarra produced a 78-71 upset at WIN Entertainment Centre. Conklin (17 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Andersen (11 points) provided support, while Kevin Lisch (19 points) led Sydney. The victory celebrated Beveridge’s 300th NBL game, kept Illawarra’s finals hopes alive and came after the Hawks held the Kings to only 26 first-half points, the lowest first-half score by any team that season.

Coenraad did not miss any games through injury. His only absence came in early February when he remained with his wife Nelly for the birth of their son Tyson. Beveridge said ahead of his return, “He will be back in the side and will give us a lot more experience and a lot more offensive punch and things like that.”

Conklin (14.4 points and 5.1 rebounds) led Illawarra in scoring, while Blanchfield (13.5 points and 4.2 rebounds) was named the Hawks’ club MVP. Jett (11.8 points and 1.5 steals), Ogilvy (9.4 points and 6.6 rebounds), Andersen (8.3 points and 3.5 rebounds), Jackson (7.9 points and 3.8 assists) and Grida (5.1 points) were the other major contributors as Illawarra struggled to find enough consistency to return to the playoffs.

Coenraad did not exit Illawarra following the season and remained contracted for 2019/20, continuing the one-club career he had begun with the Hawks in 2009.

Illawarra finished the season in Wellington on February 14, where Coenraad (11 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) made his 27th appearance as New Zealand defeated the Hawks 130-96 and produced the highest NBL score of the 40-minute era at the time. Grida (17 points) and Ogilvy (12 points and 4 rebounds) were Illawarra’s other leading scorers, while Shawn Long (21 points and 8 rebounds) led New Zealand as Illawarra finished seventh with a 12-16 record.

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, Jordair Jett and Cedric Jackson departed, while the Hawks added Next Star LaMelo Ball, former NBA guard Aaron Brooks, Josh Boone (via Melbourne), Sunday Dech (via Perth) and Sam Froling (via Creighton) around returning players Todd Blanchfield, AJ Ogilvy, David Andersen, Emmett Naar, Daniel Grida and long-serving veteran Tim Coenraad.

Coenraad entered his 11th NBL season already under contract with Illawarra, having spent his entire career with the Hawks since making his debut in 2009.

Illawarra opened the season at the WIN Entertainment Centre against Brisbane on October 6, where Coenraad (6 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist) made two three-pointers in 18 minutes off the bench as the Hawks lost 90-81. Brooks (23 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Ball (12 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals) led Illawarra, while Lamar Patterson (25 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) was Brisbane’s best.

Coenraad (8.1 points across 28 games) remained a regular part of Illawarra’s rotation, shooting 46 per cent from the field and 37 per cent from three while appearing in every game. He did not miss any games through injury and provided the Hawks with a reliable perimeter shooter and experienced presence throughout a season disrupted by injuries to several of the team’s key players.

Coenraad produced one of his strongest games against Perth on October 27, finishing with 18 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block as Illawarra pushed the defending champions before losing 81-76. Ball (16 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists) provided support, while Brooks (7 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) tore his Achilles during the third quarter and was ruled out for the remainder of the season, with Bryce Cotton (21 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) leading Perth.

Coenraad’s best game of the season came against Cairns at the WIN Entertainment Centre on November 25, where he made 10-of-13 shots and six of his eight three-point attempts to finish with 27 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists as Illawarra defeated the Taipans 114-106 in overtime. Ball (32 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists) became the youngest player in NBL history to record a triple-double, while Dech (15 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) provided further support and DJ Newbill (27 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) led Cairns.

Brooks (17.9 points, 3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists across 7 games) never returned following his Achilles injury, while Ball (17 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1.7 steals across 12 games) produced another triple-double against New Zealand before bruising his foot during practice in December. Ball remained in Illawarra to rehabilitate before returning to the United States with four games remaining to continue his recovery and prepare for the NBA Draft. Darington Hobson (5.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.3 steals across 13 games) joined the Hawks in December, while Billy Preston (6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds across 3 games) was later added before being released after three appearances following multiple missed practices.

New Year’s Eve saw Coenraad reach his 300th NBL game as bottom-placed Illawarra hosted league-leading Sydney. Coenraad (11 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist) helped the Hawks recover from 13 points down and outscore Sydney 25-12 in the fourth quarter to claim an 85-80 upset, with Boone (21 points and 9 rebounds) and Naar (16 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals) leading the way while Jae’Sean Tate (23 points and 6 rebounds) was Sydney’s best.

With Brooks and Ball unavailable for much of the campaign, Blanchfield (13.3 points and 3.9 rebounds across 28 games) became Illawarra’s leading scorer and won the Hawks’ MVP award for the second consecutive season. Dech (9.2 points and 3.7 rebounds across 27 games), Ogilvy (8.5 points and 6.3 rebounds across 26 games) and Boone (8.2 points and 5.8 rebounds across 24 games) were other major contributors, while 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) provided further support. Froling missed 11 games with an ankle injury, while Ball was named NBL Rookie of the Year.

“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.

Illawarra closed the season against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on February 14, where Coenraad (0 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) played 14 minutes as the Hawks lost 98-82. Dech (26 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Glover (15 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Illawarra, while Tate (19 points and 5 rebounds) led Sydney as the Hawks 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.

With all player contracts requiring renewal, LaMelo Ball (to Charlotte), Todd Blanchfield (to Perth), Sunday Dech (to Adelaide) and Angus Glover (to Sydney) departed, while Sam Froling and Emmett Naar were the only full-time players from the previous season to return. Goorjian rebuilt the roster with Cam Bairstow (via Vilnius), Deng Adel (via Long Island), Deng Deng (via New Zealand), Next Star Justinian Jessup (via Boise State) and imports Tyler Harvey (via Ulm) and Justin Simon (via Windy City). AJ Ogilvy also returned as an injury replacement for Daniel Grida, who entered the season recovering from the ACL injury suffered in March 2020. Fan favourite Tim Coenraad was not offered a roster spot and announced his retirement in November, moving into a community engagement and player welfare role with the club.

The Hawks won their opening four games while public opposition continued over the removal of “Illawarra” from the team’s name. A campaign from the new ownership increased memberships and corporate support before the NBL restored the Illawarra name ahead of the club’s first home game in February.

Coenraad (5.5 points across 11 games) remained around the team after retiring and kept himself in playing condition through training sessions with the Hawks and Illawarra’s Waratah League team. After Bairstow (11.4 points and 6.2 rebounds across 14 games) missed nine consecutive games with a minor hip issue and was ruled out for the remainder of the season on May 11, Coenraad came out of retirement as his injury replacement. “When Brian Goorjian looks at you and says he wants you to play, the only answer is yes,” Coenraad said. He was active against Adelaide that night but did not enter the game before appearing in each of Illawarra’s remaining eight regular-season games and all three semifinals. Coenraad did not miss a game through injury after returning, with his absence during the opening months of the season due to being retired and not on the playing roster. He made 18-of-41 three-pointers across his 11 appearances.

Coenraad (6 points and 6 rebounds) made two important three-pointers against New Zealand on May 28 as Illawarra defeated the Breakers 84-73 and strengthened its playoff position. Harvey (30 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals) and Froling (22 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Hawks, while Finn Delany (24 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) was New Zealand’s best.

Coenraad’s best game of the season came against Adelaide at the WIN Entertainment Centre on May 30, where Coenraad (12 points and 2 rebounds) made four of his six three-point attempts as Illawarra defeated the 36ers 97-83. Harvey (23 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Froling (14 points and 6 rebounds) provided support, while Sunday Dech (15 points) led Adelaide. The victory was Illawarra’s seventh in eight games, improved the Hawks to 19-15 and left them one win away from securing a postseason berth.

Two days later Coenraad (3 points and 1 rebound) played 3:41 as Illawarra defeated defending champion Perth 81-79 and secured its first postseason appearance since 2017. Harvey (27 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Froling (14 points) led the Hawks, while John Mooney (14 points and 16 rebounds) was Perth’s best. It was Illawarra’s only victory over Perth in four regular-season meetings after losing the previous three by double figures.

Illawarra closed the regular season against Sydney on June 3, where Coenraad (9 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist) made three three-pointers in 19 minutes but the Kings won 79-73. White (12 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Naar (12 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists) led the Hawks, while Jarell Martin (23 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 steals) was Sydney’s best as Illawarra finished third with a 20-16 record.

Adel (5.9 points and 3.6 rebounds across 23 games) mutually agreed to leave the club in May after injuries and inconsistent form prevented him from establishing himself, while Grida (3.3 points across 18 games) returned on April 3 after more than 12 months recovering from his ACL injury. Ogilvy (4.9 points and 4.8 rebounds across 39 games) provided experience in the middle after returning to the club.

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. Froling (11.3 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks across 39 games) won the NBL Most Improved Player award, 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 and Deng (6.4 points and 3.8 rebounds across 39 games) provided further depth. Only Harvey, Jessup, Bairstow and Froling averaged double figures as Illawarra finished as the league’s lowest-scoring team at 81.5 points per game, while the Hawks also finished last in field-goal percentage at 42.5 percent, shooting 47.8 percent from two-point range, 33.2 percent from three and 69.4 percent from the free-throw line.

The semifinal series opened at RAC Arena, where Coenraad (10 points and 3 rebounds) made three three-pointers as Illawarra defeated Perth 74-72. Jessup (17 points and 4 rebounds) and Simon (16 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led the Hawks, while Todd Blanchfield (24 points) and Mooney (13 points and 15 rebounds) led Perth. Coenraad helped spark Illawarra’s second-half comeback before Simon grabbed an offensive rebound and threw down the match-winning putback dunk with 15 seconds remaining, giving the Hawks only their second victory in 24 games at RAC Arena.

Game two moved to the WIN Entertainment Centre, where Coenraad (5 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals) played 18 minutes as Perth defeated Illawarra 79-71 to level the series. Harvey (24 points and 4 steals) and Jessup (11 points) led the Hawks, while Mooney (18 points and 10 rebounds), Luke Travers (13 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Clint 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 Coenraad (3 points and 1 rebound) played seven minutes as Illawarra reduced a 16-point deficit to one early in the fourth quarter. Froling (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks), Harvey (10 points) and Simon (9 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Hawks, 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.

2021/22
After pushing defending champion Perth to a deciding game in the NBL21 semifinals, Illawarra entered its second season under Brian Goorjian with Justin Simon (to Ludwigsburg), Cam Bairstow (to Adelaide) and Max Darling (released) departing. Tyler Harvey re-signed on a three-year deal, while Antonius Cleveland, Travis Trice, Harry Froling (via Brisbane) and Duop Reath (via Serbia) were added. Trice was released before the season after choosing not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, with Xavier Rathan-Mayes signed as his replacement.

Club legend Tim Coenraad signed as Illawarra’s nominated injury replacement in August, continuing a comeback that began late in NBL21 when he came out of retirement to replace the injured Bairstow. “I just can’t stay away. I love this team and this community,” he said. He was elevated to the full roster in November after Daniel Grida suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Illawarra opened its season at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on December 5, where the veteran grabbed 2 rebounds in nine minutes as Reath (18 points and 9 rebounds) and Justinian Jessup (17 points and 3 steals) led the Hawks to an 81-71 victory, while former Hawk Bairstow (15 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) was Adelaide’s best.

Coenraad (3.9 points and 2.3 rebounds across 29 games) came off the bench in every appearance, providing floor spacing, rebounding and defensive hustle while shooting 36 percent from three-point range. He did not miss a game through a confirmed injury, with his only absence coming against Perth on April 22, when he was not included in the game-day roster and no reason was reported.

Coenraad’s best game came against defending champion Melbourne at John Cain Arena on March 27, where he made three three-pointers and finished with 11 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal. With Goorjian unavailable after testing positive for COVID-19, Cleveland (20 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 blocks) and Harvey (19 points) helped Illawarra defeat United 92-77, while Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (18 points and 8 rebounds) was Melbourne’s best.

Harvey (16.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.7 steals) remained Illawarra’s leading scorer, while Reath (15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks) collected the Hawks’ MVP award. Cleveland (14.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1.2 blocks) won the NBL Defensive Player of the Year award and was selected to the All-NBL First Team, while Jessup (13.3 points and 3.8 rebounds), Rathan-Mayes (10.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists) and Sam Froling (8.9 points and 7.5 rebounds) were other major contributors.

Illawarra completed the regular season against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on April 24, where Coenraad (1 rebound and 1 assist), Jessup (24 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Cleveland (18 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals) helped the Hawks defeat the Kings 87-84, while Xavier Cooks (20 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 assists) was Sydney’s best. The victory secured the Adrian Hurley Cup, second place, home-court advantage in the semifinals and a 19-9 record.

The semifinal series opened at the WIN Entertainment Centre on April 29, where Coenraad (1 rebound, 2 assists, and 1 block), Reath (26 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and Cleveland (21 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led Illawarra, while Jaylen Adams (30 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists), Ian Clark (16 points) and Cooks (11 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks) helped Sydney win 89-79.

Game two moved to Qudos Bank Arena, where Coenraad (0 points in 3 minutes) became the third player behind Glen Saville and Mat Campbell to play 350 games for the Hawks. Harvey (21 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals), Reath (20 points and 3 blocks) and Rathan-Mayes (14 points and 8 rebounds) led Illawarra, while Adams (29 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists), Jarell Martin (23 points and 9 rebounds), Clark (17 points) and Cooks (16 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 blocks) led Sydney as the Kings won 99-87 and completed the sweep.

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) 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. Tim Coenraad returned for a 14th season on September 18, signing as an injury replacement player after Daniel Grida suffered a hamstring injury during the preseason. The club veteran had played for Illawarra’s NBL1 East team during the off-season and was elevated into the opening-night lineup while Grida continued his rehabilitation.

Illawarra opened the season against Sydney at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 1, where the veteran forward (9 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal) made two three-pointers during seven minutes off the bench. 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) suffered a meniscus tear during the third quarter before completing the game and undergoing season-ending surgery.

Coenraad (2.8 points across 24 games) continued to provide shooting, experience and leadership from the end of the rotation, averaging nine minutes while making 39.6 per cent of his field goals. He was available throughout the season and did not miss games because of injury. Coenraad did not enter the October 29 double-overtime loss to Melbourne due to a coach’s decision, while his other three non-appearances came against Sydney on December 16, Melbourne on December 18 and Perth on December 31 when he was not activated as an injury replacement following Grida’s return. He was temporarily restored to the lineup against Tasmania on December 22 when illness left Harvey and Michael Frazier II unavailable.

Against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on November 20, Coenraad (2 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist) was on the floor during the dramatic final seconds as Illawarra attempted to collect its second win. Harvey (32 points and 5 rebounds) and Froling (17 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) helped the Hawks lead 82-78 with ten seconds remaining, but Coenraad missed two free throws after Shaun Bruce (8 points) made a lay-up, allowing Bruce to hit a corner three-pointer at the buzzer and give Sydney an 83-82 win.

Illawarra’s import group continued to be disrupted, with Peyton Siva (via New Zealand, 9.3 points, 6.3 assists, and 1.6 steals across 11 games) replacing Robinson before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. King (10.7 points and 4.1 rebounds across nine games) returned to the United States because of a persistent ankle and lower-leg injury, with Frazier II (via Perth, 17.3 points and 3.9 rebounds across eight games) replacing him before suffering a broken left arm against Adelaide.

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), Mathiang (7.7 points and 5.1 rebounds across 25 games) and 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.

Ahead of Illawarra’s final game, Coenraad announced he would retire from the NBL after 14 seasons with the Hawks. Reflecting on his final appearances, he said, “I just want to finish the right way. I just want us to keep competing and as long as we compete, and the effort is there I’ll be proud of the fellas.” He also remained focused on helping Illawarra’s younger players, adding, “No matter what role I have on the court, I’ll try to do it to the best of my ability.”

Coenraad’s best all-round game came in his 374th and final NBL appearance against Tasmania at the WIN Entertainment Centre on February 4, where he made two three-pointers and finished with 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal. Harvey (13 points), Froling (12 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Grida (9 points and 7 rebounds) also contributed, while 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.

Tim Coenraad played fourteen seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Wollongong Hawks and the Illawarra Hawks. He averaged 7.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 371 NBL games.

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