BIO: Tyler Harvey was born in Torrance, California (USA) where he attended Bishop Montgomery High School of Torrance. Harvey graduated from Bishop Montgomery in 2011.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Tyler Harvey made his NBL debut with the Illawarra Hawks at 27 years of age. He scored 16 points in his first game.

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.

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.

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.

2021/22
After pushing defending champions Perth to three games in the NBL21 semifinals, Illawarra entered its second season under Brian Goorjian with Justin Simon (not retained), Cam Bairstow (to Adelaide) and Max Darling (mutually released) departing. The returning group was strengthened by imports Antonius Cleveland and Travis Trice, Harry Froling (via Brisbane) and Duop Reath (via Serbia), who joined the Hawks after winning a bronze medal with the Australian Boomers at the Tokyo Olympics. Trice was released before the season after choosing not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, with Xavier Rathan-Mayes signed as his replacement.

Following an All-NBL First Team season and runner-up finish in MVP voting, Tyler Harvey signed a three-year deal to remain with Illawarra in July 2021, with club president Dorry Kordahi describing him as “the cornerstone of this team.” Harvey said he wanted to change the history of star players leaving Wollongong and help establish the Hawks as a winning organisation.

3? more years for Tyler Harvey with the @illawarrahawks ?

The All-NBL First Teamer will be back in the ‘Gong for #NBL22 and beyond.

Details here: https://t.co/NiyTEuIUWV pic.twitter.com/wVpUVUkdzb

— The NBL (@NBL) July 9, 2021

Illawarra opened its season at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on December 5, where Harvey (15 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 6 steals), 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 leading scorer.

Harvey (16.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.7 steals) remained Illawarra’s leading scorer across 28 games, although his scoring fell from 20.4 points the previous season as he shared the playmaking duties with Rathan-Mayes and accepted fewer shots and minutes within a deeper roster. “I only care about one factor at the end of the day and that’s winning,” Harvey said as the Hawks won 13 of their final 16 regular-season games. A knee twinge kept him out for two games between March 31 and April 2, the only matches he missed during the season, before returning to the line-up on April 9.

One of Harvey’s biggest moments came against New Zealand at the WIN Entertainment Centre on December 17, where he scored 12 points during the final 13 minutes, made a go-ahead three-pointer late in regulation and converted a difficult floater with 2.8 seconds remaining in the second overtime. Harvey (26 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals), Reath (21 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and Jessup (21 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Illawarra to a 97-96 win, while Yanni Wetzell (25 points, 17 rebounds, and 2 steals) led the Breakers.

TYLER HARVEY TO WIN THE GAME. HE IS MAGIC ????

UNRIVALLED DRAMA

WHAT A GAME OF NBL BASKETBALL ???? pic.twitter.com/218UNw8XkS— NBL (@NBL) January 19, 2023

Harvey’s best scoring game came five days after returning from his knee issue, equalling his career-high with 35 points against Sydney at the WIN Entertainment Centre on April 14. Harvey (35 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals), Jessup (21 points and 4 assists) and Reath (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) kept Illawarra in the contest, but Dejan Vasiljevic (33 points and 6 three-pointers) produced a career-high performance as the Kings won 107-102 in overtime.

Club legend Tim Coenraad was initially added as an injury replacement before being elevated to the full roster after Daniel Grida suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Reath (15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks) averaged 20.3 points, 9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks during his first four games before collecting Illawarra’s club MVP award. Cleveland (14.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1.2 blocks) was named the NBL Defensive Player of the Year and selected to the All-NBL First Team, while Jessup (13.3 points and 3.8 rebounds) improved during the second season of his Next Stars contract. Rathan-Mayes (10.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists) provided another ball-handler alongside Harvey, while Sam Froling (8.9 points and 7.5 rebounds) bounced back from an injury-affected season to become an important part of the frontcourt rotation.

Illawarra completed the regular season against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on April 24, where Harvey (15 points and 3 steals), Jessup (24 points and 3 rebounds) and Cleveland (18 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals) held off Xavier Cooks (20 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 assists) to defeat the Kings 87-84. The victory secured 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 Illawarra led 24-17 before Sydney took control with a 35-9 run. Reath (26 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks), Cleveland (21 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Harvey (10 points and 8 rebounds) led the Hawks, 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 the Kings win 89-79.

Game two moved to Qudos Bank Arena, where Illawarra led by 15 points during the second quarter before being held to 33 points after half-time. Harvey (21 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) fouled out with more than three minutes remaining, while Reath (20 points and 3 blocks) and Rathan-Mayes (14 points and 8 rebounds) led the Hawks. 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 completed the sweep 99-87.

2022/23
After reaching the semifinals in consecutive seasons, Illawarra entered the 2022/23 campaign without head coach Brian Goorjian, who departed to coach the Bay Area Dragons in the newly established East Asia Super League. Long-time assistant Jacob Jackomas was elevated to head coach, but the Hawks lost Duop Reath (to Lebanon), Justinian Jessup (to Spain), Antonius Cleveland (to Adelaide), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (to Melbourne) and Harry Froling (to Brisbane), while long-time captain AJ Ogilvy retired. Tyler Harvey and Sam Froling were the only players retained from the previous season’s main rotation.

Jackomas added Deng Deng (via Brisbane), Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (via Sydney) and Mangok Mathiang (via Casey), who returned to the NBL after recovering from a long-term injury, before completing the roster with imports Justin Robinson and George King.

Harvey was not brought into the team during the season, entering the second year of the three-year contract he signed in July 2021. Club president Dorry Kordahi had described Harvey as “the cornerstone of this team” when the deal was announced, and he was named co-captain alongside Froling following Ogilvy’s retirement.

Illawarra opened the season against Sydney at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 1, where Harvey (18 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) led the Hawks, with Swaka Lo Buluk (14 points and 3 rebounds) and Robinson (10 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) providing support, but Derrick Walton Jr (32 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 steal) led the Kings to a 106-97 win. Robinson suffered a meniscus tear during the third quarter but completed the game before undergoing surgery that ended his season.

Harvey (22 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists) then led Illawarra to its first victory against South East Melbourne on October 6, with King (16 points) and Froling (11 points) helping the Hawks win 85-72, while Junior Madut (21 points and 7 rebounds) led the Phoenix.

Harvey (18.9 points and 1.5 steals across 27 games) remained Illawarra’s leading scorer as the import group continued to change around him. Kevin White (via Perth, 0.6 points across five games) was initially brought in as a short-term injury replacement before Peyton Siva (via New Zealand, 9.3 points, 6.3 assists, and 1.6 steals across 11 games) was signed on October 19 to replace Robinson for the remainder of the season.

King (10.7 points and 4.1 rebounds across nine games) returned to the United States after scans revealed the extent of the persistent ankle and lower-leg injury that had restricted him throughout the opening months. With Illawarra sitting at 1-9, Michael Frazier II (via Perth, 17.3 points and 3.9 rebounds across eight games) was signed on November 21 as King’s replacement.

Against Melbourne on October 29, Harvey (21 points) hit a three-pointer with five seconds remaining to force overtime, while Froling (27 points and 15 rebounds) and Siva (14 points and 11 assists) also produced big games. Xavier Rathan-Mayes (32 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) answered with a late three-pointer during the first overtime before United defeated Illawarra 106-100 in double overtime.

Harvey’s best scoring game came against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on November 20, where he finished with 32 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist and helped Illawarra move ahead during the final seconds. Froling (17 points) provided support and Angus Glover (13 points) led Sydney before Shaun Bruce (3 points) made a corner three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Kings an 83-82 win.

Illawarra finally ended its nine-game losing streak against Melbourne on December 5, where Harvey (15 points), Froling (29 points) and Frazier (16 points) led the Hawks to a 93-79 win, while Rayjon Tucker (27 points) was United’s leading scorer.

Five days later in Cairns, Harvey (21 points and 4 steals) hit a three-pointer with 11 seconds remaining to force overtime and made another heavily contested three during the second overtime. Frazier (26 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Froling (22 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) also produced big performances, but DJ Hogg (23 points) helped Cairns escape with a 102-101 double-overtime win.

How did he get that off???

Tyler Harvey making BIG shots in 2OT.

Catch the #NBL23 action live on ESPN via Kayo Sports and Foxtel. pic.twitter.com/k4Nsi8fVnX

— The NBL (@NBL) December 10, 2022

Harvey missed his only game of the season on December 22 when illness ruled both him and Frazier out of Illawarra’s road game against Tasmania, with the JackJumpers defeating the undermanned Hawks 87-60.

Harvey returned against Perth on December 31 and finished with 28 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block, while Froling (19 points and 13 rebounds) controlled the paint for Illawarra. Corey Webster (25 points) led Perth to a 107-97 win, beginning Harvey’s run of ten consecutive games scoring at least 20 points.

Siva’s season ended after 11 appearances due to a shoulder injury, while Frazier broke his left arm after colliding with two Adelaide players on January 6 and joined Robinson, King and Siva as Illawarra imports whose seasons had ended through injury. With the Hawks sitting at 2-18, Harvey said, “We’re not a bunch of guys that are going to roll over, we’re going to battle and keep at it.”

Illawarra collected its third win against New Zealand at Spark Arena on January 19, where Harvey (25 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 3 steals) made six three-pointers. Mathiang (15 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) and Froling (11 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist) provided support, while Dererk Pardon (19 points, 17 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) led the Breakers. Tom Abercrombie (13 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals) put New Zealand ahead with a late steal and dunk before Harvey made a long three-pointer as time expired to give Illawarra a 78-76 win.

TYLER HARVEY TO WIN THE GAME. HE IS MAGIC ????

UNRIVALLED DRAMA

WHAT A GAME OF NBL BASKETBALL ???? pic.twitter.com/218UNw8XkS— NBL (@NBL) January 19, 2023

Harvey’s ten consecutive 20-point performances between December 31 and February 2 helped him finish fifth among the league’s leading scorers, and he received Illawarra’s Members’ Choice Award. Froling (14 points and 8 rebounds across 28 games) was named club MVP, while Deng (8.6 points and 6.5 rebounds across 28 games), Mathiang (7.7 points and 5.1 rebounds across 25 games) and Daniel Grida (5.1 points and 3.9 rebounds across 14 games), who returned in Round 11 following two injury-interrupted seasons, were the other main contributors. 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.

Despite losing four imports to season-ending injuries, Illawarra remained competitive during stretches of the season and suffered 14 losses by ten points or fewer.

The Hawks closed the season against Tasmania at the WIN Entertainment Centre on February 4, where Harvey (13 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist) finished below 20 points for the first time in 11 games, while Froling (12 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) and Tim Coenraad (8 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal) provided support. Milton Doyle (20 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1 steal) led the JackJumpers to an 87-63 win, leaving Illawarra in 10th place with a franchise-worst 3-25 record.

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

Harvey entered the final season of the three-year deal he signed after his debut campaign, continuing as one of Illawarra’s main offensive weapons. Hawks president and co-owner Dorry Kordahi had said, “Tyler is the cornerstone of this team and we want to use him as the foundation for a really strong era for Illawarra basketball.”

Illawarra opened the season against Sydney at the WIN Entertainment Centre on September 30, where Harvey (19 points, 1 assist, and 3 steals) made five three-pointers in 22:09, but the Kings won 96-81. Grida (14 points and 7 rebounds) and Froling (12 points and 11 rebounds) provided support, while Kouat Noi (23 points and 4 rebounds) was Sydney’s leading scorer.

Harvey (15.1 points across 33 games) started every game and remained Illawarra’s main perimeter scorer, making a team-high 75 three-pointers while helping the Hawks return to postseason contention.

Illawarra held a 2-7 record when the club parted ways with Jackomas in November and promoted assistant Justin Tatum as interim head coach, with the Hawks winning four of their next six games. Grida (5.2 points across 10 games) was sidelined by a knee injury, Hickey (5.2 points across 25 games) earned a larger role and former South East Melbourne guard Kyle Adnam (1 point across 3 games) joined as an injury replacement.

Harvey’s best all-round game came against South East Melbourne at the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium on December 16, where Harvey (25 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) made 10-of-15 from the field and four three-pointers as Illawarra defeated the Phoenix 100-72. Froling (16 points and 6 rebounds) and Robinson (14 points and 5 assists) provided support, while Alan Williams (17 points and 12 rebounds) was South East Melbourne’s best as the Hawks collected their third win in four games under Tatum.

Harvey’s best scoring game came at Nissan Arena on January 14, where Harvey (29 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists) made 11-of-19 from the field and six three-pointers, but Brisbane ended Illawarra’s four-game winning streak with a 110-103 victory. Robinson (15 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Froling (15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) helped keep the Hawks close, while Nathan Sobey (25 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals) led the Bullets.

The Hawks closed the regular season at John Cain Arena on February 18, where Harvey (13 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, and 1 steal) made three three-pointers in 27:38, but Melbourne won 92-87. Robinson (14 points and 5 assists) and Froling (12 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists) provided support, while Chris Goulding (19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led United as Illawarra finished fourth with a 14-14 record.

Clark (17 points and 7.8 rebounds across 33 games) and Froling (15.4 points and 7.8 rebounds across 33 games) led Illawarra’s scoring, with Robinson (12 points and 4.4 assists across 33 games), Lee (7.3 points and 3.7 rebounds across 32 games) and Swaka Lo Buluk (6 points across 32 games) forming the other main contributors. Clark won the club MVP and Members’ Choice awards and was selected to the All-NBL First Team, Froling received the NBL Next Generation Award, Swaka Lo Buluk was named Illawarra’s Defensive Player of the Year and Grida collected the Players’ Player and Community awards. Illawarra increased its scoring from 80.8 to 91.6 points per game, moving from last to fourth in the league.

Illawarra opened the postseason against Tasmania at MyState Bank Arena, where Harvey (15 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, and 1 steal) played 28:45 as the JackJumpers won the Seeding Qualifier 92-76. Clark (21 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) and Froling (10 points and 5 rebounds) led the Hawks, while Jack McVeigh (26 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 steals), Will Magnay (25 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and 4 blocks) and Jordon Crawford (20 points) controlled the game for Tasmania.

The Hawks returned to the WIN Entertainment Centre for an elimination game against New Zealand, where Harvey (7 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) played 30:57 as Illawarra won 88-85. Robinson (26 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Froling (21 points and 9 rebounds) led the Hawks, while Parker Jackson-Cartwright (19 points, 9 assists, and 2 steals) and Zylan Cheatham (14 points and 9 rebounds) were New Zealand’s best before Illawarra advanced to the semifinals.

The semifinal series began at John Cain Arena, where Harvey (15 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), Froling (26 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block) and Clark (22 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists) helped Illawarra build a 16-point fourth-quarter lead. Matthew Dellavedova (30 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals), Luke Travers (24 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) and Goulding (18 points) powered Melbourne’s comeback before United won game one 115-106 in overtime.

Game two moved to the WIN Entertainment Centre, where Harvey (23 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals), Clark (31 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 assists), 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 tie the game before the Hawks won 113-108 in overtime, 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. Harvey (9 points, 1 rebound, and 3 assists) played 29:47 minutes in the loss.

2024/25
Harvey signed a three-year deal to return to the Hawks in 2024. Harvey’s new contract included his intention to naturalise as an Australian as a proviso.

Exiting the roster this season were Gary Clark (to Japan), Justin Robinson (to Spain), AJ Johnson (to Milwaukee), Biwali Bayles (to Switzerland) and Kyle Adnam (to Cairns), while Tyler Harvey returned alongside Sam Froling, Hyunjung Lee, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, William Hickey, Daniel Grida, Todd Blanchfield, Lachlan Olbrich and Mason Peatling.

Head coach Justin Tatum added Trey Kell III (via Adelaide), Darius Days (via Winnipeg), Zac Triplett (via Melbourne) and Brad Ballinger (via Illawarra NBL1) as the Hawks looked to build on the turnaround achieved during his first season in charge.

The returning co-captain signed a new three-year deal in May, with his intention to naturalise as an Australian forming part of the long-term agreement, and said, “There’s no place like the Gong. I mean HOME.”

Illawarra opened the season at HoopsFest on 21 September with a 102-75 win over Cairns, where the co-captain (14 points, 3 assists, and 1 steal) helped the Hawks begin the campaign with a dominant victory.

Harvey (17.9 points, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals) narrowly led Kell (17.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists) as Illawarra’s two main offensive weapons, 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), Lee (7.7 points and 3.4 rebounds), Peatling (5 points and 4 rebounds) and Blanchfield (4 points) giving Tatum one of the league’s deepest rotations.

Illawarra improved to 3-0 on 29 September after defeating Sydney 96-89, with Harvey (21 points and 3 steals) hitting a three-pointer with just over a minute remaining to give the Hawks a lead they would not relinquish.

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

On 26 October, Harvey (22 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) connected on six three-pointers as Illawarra defeated South East Melbourne 88-82 and responded strongly after a home loss to Melbourne two nights earlier.

Harvey’s third-highest scoring game of the regular season came in Perth on 1 November, where he produced 25 points on 10-of-13 shooting in a 113-105 loss, with Ben Henshall (26 points) and Bryce Cotton (24 points and 8 assists) helping the Wildcats withstand Illawarra’s late push.

His best game of the season came on 13 December, when Harvey (31 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Illawarra to a 106-93 road win over Melbourne, while Froling (20 points and 11 rebounds) controlled the paint and Dellavedova (15 points and 9 assists) was United’s best.

Illawarra strengthened its position atop the ladder on 18 January by defeating Melbourne 117-95, with Harvey (20 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds), Kell (23 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Froling (14 points and 10 rebounds) leading the Hawks, while Ili (20 points) paced United.

After Illawarra was upset 100-94 in Cairns on 23 January, Harvey (17 points and 1 block) accepted responsibility for the starters leaving too much work for the second unit, saying, “It’s on me.”

The Hawks secured the first regular-season championship in club history on 5 February with a 96-82 win over New Zealand, where Harvey (29 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds) made six three-pointers and Blanchfield (17 points and 4 rebounds) provided important scoring off the bench, while Tacko Fall (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks) led the Breakers.

Illawarra completed the regular season two nights later with a 95-75 win over Sydney, with Harvey (15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) helping the Hawks close with a 20-9 record and home-court advantage throughout the postseason.

Harvey earned his second All-NBL First Team selection, shared Illawarra’s club MVP award with Kell and Froling and received the Members Choice Award, while Kell was also named to the All-NBL First Team, Froling earned All-NBL Second Team honours and Tatum received the Lindsay Gaze Trophy as NBL Coach of the Year.

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 Harvey (24 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block), Kell (24 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Blanchfield (16 points and 6 rebounds), while Wieskamp (22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks), Sobey (17 points and 9 rebounds) and Walton Jr (15 points and 11 assists) led the Phoenix.

Game two moved to the State Basketball Centre, where South East Melbourne levelled the series with a 101-94 win behind Hurt (30 points and 2 blocks), Sobey (25 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Glover (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists), while Hickey (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Illawarra and Harvey finished with 10 points, 4 assists, and 1 steal.

The deciding game returned to Wollongong, where Kell (30 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Blanchfield (28 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal) powered the Hawks to a 126-96 win, with Blanchfield making a career-high eight three-pointers and Harvey (12 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals) helping Illawarra reach its first Grand Final since 2017, while Wieskamp (25 points and 5 rebounds), Sobey (19 points and 6 rebounds) and Foxwell (13 points and 3 steals) led the Phoenix.

The Grand Final series opened in Wollongong, where Melbourne overcame a ten-point half-time deficit to defeat Illawarra 96-88 behind Dellavedova (18 points and 7 rebounds), Goulding (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Lee (14 points, 15 rebounds, and 2 blocks), while Froling (16 points and 7 rebounds), Hickey (14 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists), Blanchfield (13 points and 3 rebounds) and Harvey (9 points and 1 steal) led the Hawks.

Game two moved to John Cain Arena, where Harvey (24 points) hit a three-pointer with six seconds remaining to give Illawarra a 102-100 win and level the series, with Froling (23 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Kell (18 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals) also starring, while Clark (31 points), Goulding (17 points and 4 assists) and Dellavedova (14 points and 5 assists) led Melbourne.

Melbourne regained control in game three with an 83-77 road win behind White (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals), Clark (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Dellavedova (16 points and 11 assists), while Hickey (12 points), Days (11 points and 4 rebounds), Kell (10 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Harvey (7 points, 2 assists, and 1 steal) led Illawarra.

Facing elimination in game four, Illawarra defeated Melbourne 80-71 at John Cain Arena behind Hickey (22 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals), Olbrich (13 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists), Harvey (12 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Days (9 points and 11 rebounds), while Dellavedova (17 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists), Goulding (17 points and 5 rebounds) and Clark (16 points and 2 steals) led United.

The victory came despite Kell being ruled out with a knee injury and Froling (5 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) suffering a ruptured Achilles during the second quarter, forcing the Hawks to return home for game five without their starting centre.

Illawarra completed the series at home with a 114-104 win as Kell (26 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists), Hickey (21 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists), Swaka Lo Buluk (16 points) and Harvey (16 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) led the Hawks, while Goulding (21 points, 3 assists, and 2 blocks), Ili (20 points, 6 assists, and 4 steals) and White (17 points and 7 rebounds) were best for Melbourne.

Dellavedova (5 points and 7 assists) was awarded the Larry Sengstock Trophy before handing it to Hickey, while the victory delivered Illawarra its second championship, first since 2001, and Harvey’s first NBL title.

2025/26
After defeating Melbourne in five games to win its first championship in 24 years, Illawarra entered NBL26 as defending champions under coach Justin Tatum. Trey Kell III (to Toyama), Darius Days (to San-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), Biwali Bayles (via Nyon), JaQuori McLaughlin (via Jakarta), Harry Froling (via Melbourne), 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.

Harvey entered the second season of the three-year deal he signed in May 2024, with a club option covering the final year and his intention to naturalise as an Australian forming part of the long-term agreement. The returning co-captain remained classified as an import for NBL26 while continuing through the residency and citizenship process.

Illawarra raised its championship banner at the WIN Entertainment Centre on September 27, where Harvey (19 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) started, but Tasmania defeated the Hawks 91-86. McGee (32 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) dominated on debut and Blanchfield (12 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) provided scoring off the bench, while Bryce Hamilton (21 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led the JackJumpers.

Harvey (16.9 points and 3.6 assists across 31 games) remained Illawarra’s co-captain and second-leading scorer, taking on additional responsibility initiating the offence after Kell’s departure and Hickey’s early-season eye injury. Back trouble interrupted his campaign and later developed into back spasms during the run home, but he continued to provide perimeter scoring and late-game shot creation.

His best all-round game came against Brisbane at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 11, where Harvey (22 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals) led Illawarra to its first victory of the season with a 116-89 win. McGee (13 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) controlled the paint and Peatling (13 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) added support, while Casey Prather (28 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) was Brisbane’s best as the Hawks improved to 1-3.

Harvey’s best scoring game came at Qudos Bank Arena on January 29, where Harvey (25 points and 3 steals) returned to the starting lineup, but Sydney defeated Illawarra 122-104. Grida (17 points and 2 rebounds) and McGee (17 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks) provided support, while Tim Soares (23 points and 6 rebounds) led the Kings as the Hawks slipped to 10-17.

Harvey’s naturalisation process took a major step on February 4 when he was granted Australian permanent residency, with Illawarra continuing to support him and his family through the citizenship process. The decision placed him on track to become eligible as a local player from the 2027/28 season, subject to league confirmation. One night later, Harvey (22 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals) made six three-pointers as Illawarra recovered from 16 points down to defeat Adelaide 100-99. Hickey (22 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals) drove the comeback and Swaka Lo Buluk (11 points) tipped in the winning basket with five seconds remaining, while Bryce Cotton (28 points, 2 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) led Adelaide.

McLaughlin (7.7 points and 4 assists across 3 games) was released after Illawarra’s 0-3 start, with Peterson (15.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists across 26 games) arriving via Xinjiang as his replacement. Bolden (4.4 points and 5.5 rebounds across 8 games) suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during the FIBA break, while Froling (11 points and 6.7 rebounds across 15 games) returned on Christmas night after missing the opening 18 games.

McGee (19.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks) and Harvey were Illawarra’s two leading scorers, with Peterson, Hickey (12.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists), Froling, Swaka Lo Buluk (8 points), Grida (6.3 points), Peatling (6.1 points and 4.8 rebounds) and Blanchfield (5.1 points and 4.2 rebounds) 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 Coach’s Award.

Illawarra finished eighth with a 13-20 record and missed the postseason by one win. The Hawks closed the season at MyState Bank Arena on February 18, where Harvey (21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) made six three-pointers as Illawarra defeated Tasmania 103-70, with Peterson (20 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists) and McGee (15 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks) providing support while Josh Bannan (17 points and 4 rebounds) was Tasmania’s best.

Tyler Harvey currently plays for the Illawarra Hawks and has played 185 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 17.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3 assists since entering the league in 2021.

CURRENT CONTRACT:

Illawarra Hawks – 4 Year Deal (2024-28)

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