BIO: Wani Swaka Lo Buluk was born in Bedford (WA) and grew up in Perth where he began playing basketball, a product of the Stirling basketball program. As a teenager, he played his first state league season with Warwick Senators in the SBL.

a athletic, slashing, driving, defensive wing who can guard multiple positions. Swaka Lo Buluk received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 2018. He spent one year there and played for the program’s state league team.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Wani Swaka Lo Buluk made his NBL debut with the Perth Wildcats at 17 years of age. He scored two points in his first game.

During the off-season, Perth re-signed star Bryce Cotton (three-year deal), while also adding Nick Kay and Mitch Norton (both via Illawarra), former Wildcats big man Tom Jervis (via Brisbane), and new import Terrico White (via Turkey). This led to the departures of Lucas Walker, Jarrod Kenny, and Dexter Kernich-Drew, who all signed with Cairns.

Wani Swaka Lo Buluk made history in December 2018 when he debuted for the Wildcats at just 17 years and 6 months old, becoming the youngest ever player to represent the team. His debut came against the Cairns Taipans, where he took the court as injuries impacted several key players, including Damian Martin, Angus Brandt, Kevin White, and Bryce Cotton. Despite being thrust into the lineup earlier than expected, Swaka Lo Buluk made the most of his opportunities during the regular season, gaining valuable experience and showing glimpses of his potential.

He averaged 1.7 points per game and had some notable moments throughout the season. His best showing came in the regular season against Melbourne on 24 November 2018, where he recorded 2 points and 1 rebound in 9 minutes of action. His limited minutes offered him a chance to grow, and his contributions provided depth to a team dealing with injuries.

The Wildcats finished the regular season in first place with an 18–10 record, securing the top spot on the NBL ladder. Perth then went on to defeat Brisbane in the semi-finals, although Swaka Lo Buluk did not see minutes during the semi-finals, before defeating reigning champions Melbourne United in the Grand Final. Swaka Lo Buluk appeared in one game during the series but had minimal impact on the court. Despite his limited contributions, he was part of Perth’s 2018–19 title-winning team, gaining invaluable experience in his rookie season.

2019/20
fter defeating Melbourne United 3-1 in the 2019 Grand Final to claim their ninth NBL championship, Perth retained the majority of its championship-winning group. Four-time championship-winning coach Trevor Gleeson re-signed on a three-year deal, while Damian Martin, Jesse Wagstaff and Terrico White also returned. Greg Hire (retired) and Tom Jervis (retired) departed, while Angus Brandt (to Europe) exercised an out-clause to pursue opportunities overseas. Dario Hunt (via Spirou Charleroi) and Majok Majok (via New Zealand) were added to the frontcourt.

After debuting as a development player the previous season, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk was elevated to Perth’s full roster and signed a three-year deal, with the third season containing a club option. Gleeson had planned to trial the youngster at point guard during the pre-season, but a severe ankle injury interrupted his preparation and ruled him out of Perth’s opening game. No further injury was reported during the season.

Swaka Lo Buluk made his first appearance of the season against Melbourne United on December 21, where Swaka Lo Buluk (0 points in 2:57) played late as Perth lost 87-74 at RAC Arena. Bryce Cotton (15 points and 3 steals) and White (14 points) led the Wildcats, while Shawn Long (23 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 steals) was Melbourne’s best.

Swaka Lo Buluk (1.9 points across 13 games) remained at the end of Perth’s rotation, making 11 regular-season appearances and two more during the playoffs. Perth started the season 5-1 before falling to 8-5 by Round 10, then won four consecutive games to close December at 13-6. Martin (3.4 points and 3.2 rebounds across 26 games) played his 300th game for Perth during December before a left heel injury sidelined him throughout January.

Following consecutive losses to begin 2020, Perth released Hunt (8.6 points and 6 rebounds across 21 games) and replaced him with seven-year NBA veteran Miles Plumlee (via Zhejiang Lions). Plumlee (8.6 points and 6.7 rebounds across 12 games) had to appear in all seven remaining regular-season games to qualify for the playoffs, with Perth winning six of those games.

Swaka Lo Buluk’s best game of the season came in Perth’s final regular-season game against Adelaide on February 15, where Swaka Lo Buluk (8 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) made his first start and played a season-high 26 minutes with Cotton and White unavailable. Nick Kay (23 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and Plumlee (14 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Perth to a 94-79 victory, while Daniel Johnson (18 points and 11 rebounds) was Adelaide’s best. The Wildcats finished second with a 19-9 record and qualified for the playoffs for a 34th consecutive season.

Cotton (22.6 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.6 steals across 32 games) won his second NBL MVP award and became the first import to lead the league in scoring for three consecutive seasons, while Kay (15.9 points, 8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals across 33 games) was named to the All-NBL First Team. White (15 points and 3.6 rebounds across 30 games), Clint Steindl (9.6 points across 32 games), Mitchell Norton (6.8 points across 33 games) and Wagstaff (5.8 points across 33 games) provided Perth’s other main scoring options.

Swaka Lo Buluk did not take the court as Perth opened its semifinal series against Cairns with a 108-107 overtime win at RAC Arena. Cotton (42 points and 6 assists) made 10 three-pointers to tie the NBL finals record and Kay (23 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) also starred for Perth, while Scott Machado (31 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists) and DJ Newbill (25 points) led Cairns.

Game two moved to Cairns, where Swaka Lo Buluk (0 points and 2 rebounds) played five minutes off the bench as the Taipans defeated Perth 85-74. Steindl (18 points and 3 rebounds) and White (13 points and 4 rebounds) led the Wildcats, while Cameron Oliver (22 points and 19 rebounds) and Newbill (16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led Cairns to tie the series at 1-1.

Back at RAC Arena for game three, Swaka Lo Buluk did not take the court as Perth defeated Cairns 93-82 behind White (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Kay (24 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals), while Oliver (20 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and Machado (19 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) led Cairns. Perth won the series 2-1 and advanced to its 15th NBL Grand Final.

Swaka Lo Buluk did not play in game one of the Grand Final at Qudos Bank Arena, where Perth defeated Sydney 88-86 behind Cotton (32 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Kay (14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks), while Andrew Bogut (18 points and 11 rebounds) and Kevin Lisch (17 points) led Sydney.

With the developing COVID-19 pandemic resulting in the remainder of the series being played behind closed doors, Swaka Lo Buluk (0 points and 1 rebound) played two minutes in game two as Sydney defeated Perth 97-83 at an empty RAC Arena. Cotton (27 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Kay (17 points and 7 rebounds) led Perth, while Jae’Sean Tate (20 points) and Bogut (19 points and 14 rebounds) led Sydney to tie the series at 1-1.

Swaka Lo Buluk did not take the court in game three at Qudos Bank Arena, where Perth defeated Sydney 111-96 behind Cotton (31 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Kay (30 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists), while Tate (20 points and 6 rebounds) and Brad Newley (19 points and 5 rebounds) led Sydney as the Wildcats took a 2-1 series lead.

Sydney withdrew before game four amid concerns surrounding COVID-19 and uncertainty over travel restrictions, leading the NBL to cancel the remaining two games. Swaka Lo Buluk later reflected on the unusual finish, “The second one was the COVID one when we were announced as the winners while we were sitting in a room.” Perth was officially awarded its tenth NBL championship two days later, giving Swaka Lo Buluk his second championship.

2020/21
After being awarded the previous season’s championship when Sydney withdrew from the remaining games of the Grand Final series amid COVID-19 concerns, Perth entered NBL21 looking to win a third consecutive title under coach Trevor Gleeson. Damian Martin (retired), Terrico White (overseas), Nick Kay (to Spain) and Rhys Vague (to Japan) departed, while the NBL’s decision to reduce import spots from three to two prevented Perth from retaining Miles Plumlee. John Mooney (via Notre Dame), Todd Blanchfield (via Illawarra) and Kevin White (via Adelaide) were added, while Tom Jervis returned from retirement and Corey Shervill and Andrew Ferguson joined as development players. Majok Majok was ruled out for the season after rupturing his Achilles before the campaign began.

Swaka Lo Buluk (0 points in 2:27) appeared briefly in Perth’s season opener against South East Melbourne on January 24, where Cotton (27 points, 7 assists, and 5 steals), Blanchfield (16 points and 4 rebounds) and Mooney (13 points and 14 rebounds) led the Wildcats to an 88-76 win, while Mitchell Creek (17 points and 5 rebounds) led the Phoenix.

Swaka Lo Buluk (1.3 points across 33 games) entered his third season with Perth as a member of the main roster after previously beginning his career as a development player. He remained behind Perth’s established perimeter rotation and played limited minutes throughout the season. No injury was reported for Swaka Lo Buluk during NBL21, with his nine non-appearances recorded as games where he remained on the bench rather than absences caused by injury.

Perth initially struggled and sat seventh after five rounds before relocating to Melbourne for the NBL Cup, where the Wildcats won seven of their eight games to claim the inaugural tournament. One of Swaka Lo Buluk’s best regular-season games came against Brisbane on April 23, where he scored 5 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist in less than four minutes as Perth defeated the Bullets 92-74. Cotton (21 points and 6 assists), Mooney (16 points and 7 rebounds) and Wagstaff (12 points and 4 rebounds) led Perth, while Harry Froling (20 points) and Lamar Patterson (19 points and 10 rebounds) were Brisbane’s best.

Swaka Lo Buluk (4 points, 1 rebound, and 1 steal) was also part of a young Perth lineup used late in the May 21 win over Cairns alongside Travers, Shervill and development player Taylor Britt. Cotton (19 points and 4 rebounds), Blanchfield (19 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Mooney (16 points and 8 rebounds) led Perth to the 100-79 win, while Mirko Djeric (15 points) led Cairns. “It was a great opportunity to put them all out there. We had all our DP’s out there and our two youngest guys,” said Gleeson.

Cotton (23.5 points, 5.7 assists, and 1.5 steals across 32 games) was named NBL MVP, Scoring Champion, Fans MVP and to the All-NBL First Team, while Mooney (16.9 points and 11.4 rebounds across 42 games) joined him on the All-NBL First Team and later won Perth’s Gordon Ellis Medal. Blanchfield (15.2 points and 4.1 rebounds across 41 games), Norton (8.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists across 41 games), Wagstaff (6.7 points and 3.8 rebounds across 41 games), Steindl (6.4 points across 38 games) and Travers (4.9 points and 3.2 rebounds across 40 games) were Perth’s other main contributors as the Wildcats finished second with a 25-11 record behind Melbourne at 28-8.

Without Cotton, Perth opened the semifinals against Illawarra with a 74-72 loss at RAC Arena, where Swaka Lo Buluk did not enter the game as Blanchfield (24 points) and Mooney (13 points and 15 rebounds) led Perth, while Justinian Jessup (17 points) and Justin Simon (16 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led Illawarra.

Game two moved to WIN Entertainment Centre, where Swaka Lo Buluk (1 point, 1 rebound, and 1 assist) played six minutes as Mooney (18 points and 10 rebounds), Travers (13 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) and Steindl (12 points and 3 assists) led Perth to a 79-71 win, while Tyler Harvey (24 points and 4 steals) led Illawarra.

Swaka Lo Buluk did not enter game three, where Blanchfield (24 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals), Mooney (16 points, 15 rebounds, and 1 block) and Norton (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) led Perth to another 79-71 victory, while Sam Froling (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks) and Simon (9 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists) were Illawarra’s best as the Wildcats advanced to the Grand Final.

Swaka Lo Buluk’s best game of the season came in Grand Final game one against Melbourne, where injuries to several Wildcats increased his role and he made all three of his shots to finish with 6 points and 3 rebounds in 15 minutes. Blanchfield (27 points and 7 rebounds) and Mooney (8 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals) led Perth, while Chris Goulding (23 points and 2 steals) and Jock Landale (17 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) led Melbourne to a 73-70 win. “I thought Wani was unbelievable tonight. He came in and provided energy,” said Blanchfield.

Swaka Lo Buluk (3 points and 1 rebound) played seven minutes in game two, where Mooney (17 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists), Blanchfield (13 points and 8 rebounds) and Norton (12 points and 3 rebounds) led Perth, while Goulding (21 points), Yudai Baba (15 points and 4 rebounds) and Landale (12 points, 17 rebounds, and 3 assists) helped Melbourne win 83-74.

Game three moved to John Cain Arena, where Swaka Lo Buluk (2 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal) played six minutes as White (14 points), Mooney (14 points, 13 rebounds, and 1 block) and Blanchfield (11 points and 11 rebounds) led Perth, while Landale (15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and Goulding (14 points and 4 rebounds) led Melbourne to an 81-76 win, completing the Grand Final sweep with Landale named Grand Final MVP.

SYDNEY KINGS
2021/22
After finishing fifth with a 19-17 record and missing the playoffs, Sydney replaced Adam Forde (to Cairns) with first-year NBL head coach Chase Buford. Casper Ware (to Russia), Brad Newley (to Melbourne), Craig Moller (to Germany), Jarrad Weeks (to Tasmania), Didi Louzada (to New Orleans) and Daniel Kickert (retired) departed, while Xavier Cooks, Jarell Martin, Dejan Vasiljevic, Jordan Hunter, Shaun Bruce, Angus Glover and Tom Vodanovich returned. Jaylen Adams (via Milwaukee), RJ Hunter (via Galatasaray), Biwali Bayles (via Hawaii), Makur Maker (via Howard), Matur Maker (via G-League) and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (via Perth) were added, with Swaka Lo Buluk initially signed as a nominated injury replacement for Vasiljevic as he recovered from a ruptured Achilles.

Despite joining as an injury replacement, Sydney planned to retain him for the entire season rather than only until Vasiljevic returned. “I’m really excited to be joining the Sydney Kings,” he said after receiving another NBL opportunity following three seasons with Perth.

Sydney opened the season against defending champion Melbourne at Qudos Bank Arena on December 5, where Swaka Lo Buluk (3 points and 1 rebound) came off the bench as the Kings won 79-74. Adams (15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Martin (12 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Sydney, while Jo Lual-Acuil (12 points and 7 rebounds) was Melbourne’s best.

Swaka Lo Buluk (4.3 points across 33 games) quickly moved into the starting lineup and made 30 starts while developing into Sydney’s primary perimeter defender. He appeared in every one of the Kings’ 28 regular-season games and all five playoff games, with no games missed through injury, suspension or availability. With Sydney’s roster filled with offensive talent, Swaka Lo Buluk established his role by guarding the opposition’s leading perimeter player and later explained, “I liked the role that I was given.”

Swaka Lo Buluk’s best scoring game came against Illawarra at the WIN Entertainment Centre on January 13, where he made seven of ten field goals and three of four three-pointers to finish with 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals. Martin (23 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 block) and Cooks (16 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks) also contributed, but Sam Froling (27 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 steals) led the Hawks to a 97-89 win as Sydney’s losing streak reached four games.

Swaka Lo Buluk (3 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal) was involved in Sydney’s 96-81 win over his former club Perth at Qudos Bank Arena on January 30, with Adams (30 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and Martin (22 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 block) leading the Kings, while Victor Law (20 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists) was among Perth’s best. Following a late-game confrontation, Swaka Lo Buluk was charged with engaging in a melee/brawl and accepted a $375 fine with an early guilty plea. The following day Sydney upgraded him from injury replacement to a full roster position following his performances and growing defensive role, while RJ Hunter (4 points across 3 games) was released after a season-ending knee injury.

The Kings also added former NBA champion Ian Clark (via Xinjiang, 13.9 points across 16 games) during February as an injury replacement for Jordan Hunter, who missed the entire season following foot surgery. After falling to 5-7, Sydney won 13 consecutive games from February 6 through April 14 to improve to 18-7 and secure a playoff berth before Adelaide ended the streak.

Adams (20.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.2 steals across 24 games) led Sydney in scoring and assists, winning the NBL MVP and earning All-NBL First Team honours. Martin (15.8 points and 8.4 rebounds across 31 games) and Cooks (15.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks across 31 games) formed one of the league’s strongest frontcourts, with Cooks selected to the All-NBL Second Team. Vasiljevic (12.4 points across 31 games), Makur Maker (7.7 points and 5.3 rebounds across 21 games) and Glover (5.3 points and 3 rebounds across 30 games) provided further depth.

Sydney closed the regular season against Illawarra at Qudos Bank Arena on April 24, where Swaka Lo Buluk (11 points and 2 rebounds) produced his second-highest scoring game of the season, while Cooks (20 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Martin (13 points and 5 rebounds) helped keep Sydney close. Justinian Jessup (24 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) led Illawarra to an 87-84 win as Sydney finished third with a 19-9 record.

Sydney opened the semifinals against Brian Goorjian’s Illawarra Hawks at WIN Entertainment Centre, where Swaka Lo Buluk (0 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists) was given the assignment of defending Tyler Harvey and held him to 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting as Sydney won 89-79. Adams (30 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Clark (16 points, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Sydney, while Duop Reath (26 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and Antonius Cleveland (21 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks) were Illawarra’s best. “I was proud of Swaks. Wani did a great job just hustling and harassing him,” said Buford.

Game two moved to Qudos Bank Arena, where Swaka Lo Buluk (2 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist) started as Sydney recovered from a 15-point deficit to win 99-87 and complete the sweep. Adams (29 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists), Martin (23 points and 9 rebounds) and Cooks (16 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 blocks) led the Kings, while Harvey (21 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Reath (20 points and 3 blocks) led Illawarra.

Expansion Tasmania finished fourth with a 17-11 record before upsetting first-placed defending champion Melbourne in three games to reach the Grand Final.

The Grand Final opened at Qudos Bank Arena, where Swaka Lo Buluk (5 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist) remained in the starting lineup as Sydney defeated Tasmania 95-78. Adams (18 points and 3 assists), Clark (17 points and 2 steals) and Cooks (14 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists) led the Kings, while Jack McVeigh (14 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals) and MiKyle McIntosh (14 points and 4 rebounds) led Tasmania. Adams suffered a low-grade left hamstring strain during the victory and was ruled out for the remainder of the series.

Game two moved to MyState Bank Arena, where Swaka Lo Buluk (5 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) contributed as Vasiljevic (20 points and 5 rebounds), Cooks (20 points and 11 rebounds) and Martin (20 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 block) led Sydney without Adams, while Josh Adams (36 points) starred for Tasmania. Vasiljevic hit a long three-pointer in the closing seconds to secure a 90-86 win and give Sydney a 2-0 series lead, while the victory was the Kings’ 12th consecutive road win, the most by any team during a single NBL season.

Dejan Vasiljevic with the 𝘿𝘼𝙂𝙂𝙀𝙍 🗡️
–
– 📺 Watch the #NBLFinals Live on ESPN pic.twitter.com/XDIgoHVKo9

— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) May 8, 2022

Game three returned to Qudos Bank Arena, where Swaka Lo Buluk (4 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) started as Sydney defeated Tasmania 97-88 and completed the sweep in front of an NBL Grand Final record crowd of 16,149. Cooks (23 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 blocks), Martin (22 points, 17 rebounds, and 1 block) and Clark (22 points, 3 assists, and 1 block) led Sydney, with Cooks and Martin combining for 45 points and 30 rebounds, while Josh Adams (27 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals), McIntosh (14 points and 8 rebounds) and Josh Magette (12 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 6 steals) led Tasmania. Sydney won its fourth championship and first in 17 years, completing a perfect 5-0 postseason and collecting its 19th victory from its final 21 games. Cooks was named Grand Final MVP after averaging 19 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists across the series, while Buford became the fourth-youngest championship-winning coach in NBL history. After previously being part of two championship teams in Perth in limited roles, Swaka Lo Buluk later said of Sydney’s title, “But with this one, I got the full experience.” It was his third NBL championship.

17 years in the making 💜💛#WeTheKings #NBL22 pic.twitter.com/Wz7uIGjTr6

— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) May 14, 2022

2022/23
Illawarra entered the 2022/23 season after consecutive semifinal exits, but the Hawks underwent a major rebuild when Brian Goorjian (to Bay Area Dragons) departed and long-time assistant Jacob Jackomas was promoted to head coach. Duop Reath (to China), Justinian Jessup (to Spain), Antonius Cleveland (to Adelaide), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (to Melbourne), Harry Froling (to Brisbane) and Emmett Naar (to the Netherlands) departed, while AJ Ogilvy retired, leaving Tyler Harvey and Sam Froling as the only players retained from the previous season’s main rotation.

Jackomas added Deng Deng (via Brisbane), Mangok Mathiang (via Casey) and imports Justin Robinson and George King.

Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (via Sydney) signed a two-year deal after helping the Kings win the 2022 championship. Having established himself as one of the NBL’s leading perimeter defenders, he joined Illawarra seeking a larger offensive role, explaining, “Hawks reached out and it just felt like a better situation for me to grow my game a bit more.”

Swaka Lo Buluk’s best game came in Illawarra’s season opener against Sydney at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 1, where he made six of ten field goals and finished with 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists. Lachlan Dent (19 points) and Harvey (18 points) also contributed, but Derrick Walton Jr (32 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists) led the defending champions to a 106-97 win.

Swaka Lo Buluk (4.9 points across 28 games) appeared in every game and made 21 starts. He opened the season in the starting lineup before moving into a sixth-man role during December, then returned as a regular starter when Illawarra’s mounting injuries left Jackomas increasingly reliant on his defence and versatility.

Robinson (10 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists across one game) suffered a meniscus tear during the opening game and underwent season-ending surgery, with Kevin White (via Perth, 0.6 points across five games) initially added as a short-term replacement. Peyton Siva (via New Zealand, 9.3 points, 6.3 assists, and 1.6 steals across 11 games) was subsequently signed for the remainder of the season before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury against Perth. King (10.7 points and 4.1 rebounds across nine games) was released after struggling with a persistent lower-leg injury, leading to Michael Frazier II (via Perth, 17.3 points and 3.9 rebounds across eight games) joining the Hawks before breaking his left arm against Adelaide.

With Illawarra sitting at 1-9 by the middle of November, Swaka Lo Buluk, Dent and William Hickey were required to take on larger roles as the Hawks continued to lose experienced players from their rotation.

Swaka Lo Buluk (10 points and 2 rebounds) helped Illawarra collect its third win of the season against New Zealand at Spark Arena on January 19, with Harvey (25 points and 3 steals) and Mathiang (15 points and 5 rebounds) leading the Hawks. Dererk Pardon (19 points, 17 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led the Breakers, who moved ahead through a late Tom Abercrombie steal and dunk before Harvey made a long three-pointer as time expired to give Illawarra a 78-76 win.

Harvey (18.9 points and 1.5 steals across 27 games) led Illawarra in scoring and received the Members’ Choice Award, while Froling (14 points and 8 rebounds across 28 games) was named club MVP. Deng (8.6 points and 6.5 rebounds across 28 games), Mathiang (7.7 points and 5.1 rebounds across 25 games) and Daniel Grida (5.1 points and 3.9 rebounds across 14 games) were the other main contributors, while Akoldah Gak (1 point across 13 games) received the Players’ Player Award. Swaka Lo Buluk was recognised as Illawarra’s Defensive Player of the Year after regularly accepting the opposition’s most difficult perimeter assignment.

Despite losing four imports to season-ending injuries, Illawarra suffered 14 defeats by ten points or fewer.

The Hawks closed the season against Tasmania at the WIN Entertainment Centre on February 4, where Swaka Lo Buluk (0 points and 2 rebounds), Harvey (13 points) and Froling (12 points and 7 rebounds) led Illawarra, while Milton Doyle (20 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists) guided 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. Kevin White and Tim Coenraad retired, while Akoldah Gak (to Cairns), Mangok Mathiang (to New Zealand) and Alex Mudronja (to Cairns) departed. Todd Blanchfield (via Perth), Mason Peatling (via Melbourne), Biwali Bayles (via Sydney), Lachlan Olbrich (via UC Riverside), Hyunjung Lee (via Santa Cruz), Next Star AJ Johnson (via Southern California Academy) and Gary Clark (via Mexico City) joined the roster, while Justin Robinson returned from the knee injury which ended his previous season.

Swaka Lo Buluk entered the second season of the two-year deal he signed with Illawarra after winning the club’s Defensive Player of the Year award during his first year with the Hawks. Looking to increase his offensive impact while maintaining his role against the opposition’s leading perimeter players, he said, “I’m ready to take off this season.”

Illawarra opened the season against Sydney at the WIN Entertainment Centre on September 30, where Swaka Lo Buluk (3 points) started and played 18:30, but the Kings won 96-81. Harvey (19 points and 3 steals) and Grida (14 points and 7 rebounds) led the Hawks, while Kouat Noi (23 points) was Sydney’s leading scorer.

Swaka Lo Buluk (6 points across 32 games) appeared in every game and made 27 starts, remaining Illawarra’s primary perimeter defender while producing the highest scoring average of his NBL career.

Consecutive heavy defeats to Sydney and Cairns left Illawarra at 2-7 and resulted in Jackomas parting ways with the club, with assistant Justin Tatum taking over as interim head coach and guiding the Hawks to four wins from their next six games. Grida (5.2 points across 10 games) was sidelined by a knee injury, Hickey (5.2 points across 25 games) moved into a larger role and Kyle Adnam (1 point across 3 games) joined as an injury replacement.

Swaka Lo Buluk’s best scoring game came at Qudos Bank Arena on February 11, where Swaka Lo Buluk (16 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 steal) shot 5-of-7 from the field and made two three-pointers as Illawarra defeated Sydney 106-95. Clark (22 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Harvey (21 points, 6 assists, and 2 steals) led the Hawks, while Denzel Valentine (21 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) was Sydney’s best as Illawarra collected its second consecutive win over the Kings and strengthened its finals position.

Clark (17 points and 7.8 rebounds across 33 games) led Illawarra in scoring, won the club MVP award and was selected to the All-NBL First Team, while Froling (15.4 points and 7.8 rebounds across 33 games) received the NBL Next Generation Award. Harvey (15.1 points across 33 games), Robinson (12 points and 4.4 assists across 33 games) and Lee (7.3 points and 3.7 rebounds across 32 games) were the other main contributors, while Swaka Lo Buluk received the Hawks’ Defensive Player of the Year award. Illawarra increased its scoring from 80.8 to 91.6 points per game and finished the regular season fourth with a 14-14 record.

Illawarra opened the play-in tournament against Tasmania at MyState Bank Arena, where Swaka Lo Buluk (4 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists) played 12:55 off the bench as the JackJumpers won 92-76. Clark (21 points and 10 rebounds) and Harvey (15 points) led the Hawks, while McVeigh (26 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Magnay (25 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and 4 blocks) controlled the game for Tasmania.

The Hawks returned to the WIN Entertainment Centre for an elimination game against New Zealand, where Swaka Lo Buluk (6 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists) played 22:01 as Illawarra won 88-85 and advanced to the semifinals. 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 Cheatham (14 points and 9 rebounds) were New Zealand’s best.

The semifinal series began at John Cain Arena, where Swaka Lo Buluk (10 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) played 26:26 as Illawarra surrendered a late lead and lost game one 115-106 in overtime. Froling (26 points and 5 rebounds) and Clark (22 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Hawks, while Dellavedova (30 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals) and Travers (24 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) sparked Melbourne’s comeback.

Game two moved to the WIN Entertainment Centre, where Swaka Lo Buluk (8 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 2 steals) played 25:03 as Clark (31 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 assists), Harvey (23 points) and Hickey (18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) led Illawarra to a 113-108 overtime victory. Dellavedova (20 points and 8 assists) and Lual-Acuil (18 points and 7 rebounds) led Melbourne before the Hawks forced a deciding game.

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) kept Illawarra within reach, while Ili (22 points) and Travers (15 points and 11 rebounds) led Melbourne to a 100-94 victory and ended the Hawks’ season one game short of the Grand Final. Swaka Lo Buluk (8 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists) played 15:41 in the loss.

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

The defensive wing signed a new three-year deal, with a club option in the final season, after starting 27 games during Illawarra’s turnaround in NBL24. Tatum said, “Wani is one of our leaders on the defensive end of the floor.”

Illawarra opened the season at HoopsFest on September 21 with a 102-75 win over Cairns, where Swaka Lo Buluk (8 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) started alongside Days (20 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Froling (19 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block), while Tanner Groves (19 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 block) led the Taipans.

Swaka Lo Buluk (7.8 points across 29 games) started every regular-season game, regularly defending the opposition’s leading perimeter scorer while producing the highest scoring average of his career.

One of his strongest performances came against Sydney on September 29, where Swaka Lo Buluk (16 points, 1 rebound, and 1 steal) shot 6-of-9 from the field as Illawarra defeated the Kings 96-89 and improved to 3-0. Harvey (21 points and 3 steals) and Kell (20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Hawks, while Xavier Cooks (22 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists) was Sydney’s best. Swaka Lo Buluk also limited Jaylen Adams (9 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists) to 2-of-12 shooting and forced six turnovers, with Tatum saying, “Swak was the MVP today.”

His best scoring game came in Perth on December 6, where Swaka Lo Buluk (17 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 steals) shot 7-of-8 from the field and made both three-point attempts as Illawarra defeated the Wildcats 121-111. Kell (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Froling (17 points and 6 rebounds) provided support, while Bryce Cotton (40 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Perth.

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

Harvey (17.9 points, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals) and Kell (17.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists) led Illawarra’s offence, with Froling (14.6 points and 7.3 rebounds), Days (11.4 points and 6.6 rebounds), Hickey (8.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists), Olbrich (8.7 points and 3.8 rebounds), Lee (7.7 points and 3.4 rebounds) and Peatling (5 points and 4 rebounds) forming one of the league’s deepest rotations. Swaka Lo Buluk finished second in voting for the Damian Martin Trophy with 34 votes and received Illawarra’s Defensive Player of the Year award for the third straight season, while Tatum was named NBL Coach of the Year, Harvey and Kell earned All-NBL First Team selections and Froling was selected to the All-NBL Second Team.

Illawarra completed the regular season with a 95-75 win over Sydney on February 7, where Swaka Lo Buluk (4 points and 3 rebounds), Harvey (15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Lee (15 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) helped the Hawks finish first with a 20-9 record, while Adams (14 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Kings before being ejected following an incident with Swaka Lo Buluk. Click here to watch.

Illawarra opened the semifinals at the WIN Entertainment Centre with a 101-94 win over South East Melbourne, taking control with a 32-12 third quarter behind Kell (24 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists), Harvey (24 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) and Blanchfield (16 points and 6 rebounds), while Swaka Lo Buluk added 4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal. Joe Wieskamp (22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks), Nathan Sobey (17 points and 9 rebounds) and Derrick Walton Jr (15 points and 11 assists) led the Phoenix.

Game two moved to Melbourne, where South East Melbourne levelled the series with a 101-94 win behind Matt Hurt (30 points and 2 blocks), Sobey (25 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Angus Glover (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists), while Hickey (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists), Froling (11 points and 5 rebounds) and Harvey (10 points and 4 assists) led Illawarra and Swaka Lo Buluk finished with 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal.

The deciding game returned to Wollongong, where Kell (30 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal), Blanchfield (28 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Swaka Lo Buluk (12 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist) helped Illawarra defeat South East Melbourne 126-96 and reach its first Grand Final since 2017, while Wieskamp (25 points and 5 rebounds), Sobey (19 points and 6 rebounds) and Owen Foxwell (13 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals) led the Phoenix.

The Grand Final series opened in Wollongong, where Swaka Lo Buluk (11 points, 2 steals, and 1 block), Froling (16 points and 7 rebounds), Hickey (14 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals) and Blanchfield (13 points and 3 rebounds) led Illawarra, but Matthew Dellavedova (18 points and 7 rebounds), Chris Goulding (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Marcus Lee (14 points, 15 rebounds, and 2 blocks) carried Melbourne to a 96-88 win.

Game two moved to John Cain Arena, where Swaka Lo Buluk (12 points and 3 rebounds) contributed alongside Harvey (24 points), Froling (23 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Kell (18 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block) as Illawarra defeated Melbourne 102-100, while Ian Clark (31 points), Goulding (17 points and 4 assists) and Dellavedova (14 points and 5 assists) led United.

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

Facing elimination in game four, Illawarra defeated Melbourne 80-71 despite Kell being ruled out with a knee injury and Froling (5 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) rupturing his Achilles during the second quarter. Hickey (22 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals), Olbrich (13 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists), Harvey (12 points and 4 rebounds) and Days (9 points and 11 rebounds) led the Hawks, while Swaka Lo Buluk added 2 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. Dellavedova (17 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists), Goulding (17 points and 5 rebounds) and Clark (16 points and 2 steals) led Melbourne.

Game five returned to Wollongong, where Kell (26 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists), Hickey (21 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists) and Harvey (16 points and 7 rebounds) led Illawarra, while Goulding (21 points, 3 assists, and 2 blocks), Shea Ili (20 points, 6 assists, and 4 steals) and White (17 points and 7 rebounds) were Melbourne’s best. Dellavedova (5 points and 7 assists) was awarded the Larry Sengstock Trophy before handing it to Hickey, while Swaka Lo Buluk (16 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) scored 12 points during the second quarter as Illawarra won 114-104, claimed its first championship since 2001 and delivered him his fourth 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 and Mason Peatling returned from the championship roster. Tatum added JaVale McGee (via Bayamón), Jonah Bolden (via Arecibo), Jackson Ball (via Hawke’s Bay), Biwali Bayles (via Nyon) and JaQuori McLaughlin (via Jakarta), with Froling unavailable while recovering from the Achilles injury suffered during the previous Grand Final series.

The defensive specialist entered the second season of the three-year deal he signed before NBL25, remaining Illawarra’s primary perimeter stopper after starting throughout the championship campaign and winning his fourth NBL title.

Illawarra raised its championship banner at the WIN Entertainment Centre on September 27, where Swaka Lo Buluk (9 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) started, but Tasmania defeated the Hawks 91-86. McGee (32 points, 13 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) and Harvey (19 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Illawarra, while Bryce Hamilton (21 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) was Tasmania’s best.

Swaka Lo Buluk (8 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1 assist across 33 games) started every game for the second straight season and regularly handled the opposition’s leading perimeter scorer. He set a new career-high scoring average, remained one of Tatum’s most trusted defensive players and reached 200 NBL appearances during the season.

His best scoring game came against Adelaide at the WIN Entertainment Centre on December 20, where Swaka Lo Buluk (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 steal) shot 8-of-14 from the field and made three three-pointers. Peterson (21 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Grida (11 points and 2 rebounds) provided support, while Bryce Cotton (16 points and 7 assists) led Adelaide as the 36ers won 84-78, with the performance setting a new career high while his defence helped hold Cotton to 6-of-18 shooting.

On February 5, Swaka Lo Buluk (11 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) tipped in the winning basket with 5.7 seconds remaining as Illawarra recovered from 16 points down to defeat Adelaide 100-99. Harvey (22 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Hickey (22 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals) led the comeback, while Cotton (28 points, 2 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) was Adelaide’s best as the Hawks ended a seven-game losing streak against the 36ers and kept their title defence alive.

McLaughlin (7.7 points and 4 assists across 3 games) was released after Illawarra’s 0-3 start, with Quentin Peterson (via Xinjiang) signed as his replacement. 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 while recovering from the Achilles injury suffered in the previous Championship Series.

McGee (19.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks) and Harvey (16.9 points and 3.6 assists) led Illawarra’s offence, with Peterson (15.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists), Hickey (12.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists), 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 awards, Peatling collected the Coach’s Award and Swaka Lo Buluk won Illawarra’s Defensive Player of the Year award for the fourth straight season. Tatum publicly criticised his omission from the NBL’s Damian Martin Trophy nominees after Swaka Lo Buluk again took the opposition’s most difficult perimeter assignment.

With Illawarra already outside the postseason, Swaka Lo Buluk (4 points and 1 rebound) started the final game at MyState Bank Arena on February 18 as the Hawks defeated Tasmania 103-70. Harvey (21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Peterson (20 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Illawarra, while Josh Bannan (17 points and 4 rebounds) was Tasmania’s best as the Hawks finished eighth with a 13-20 record.

Wani Swaka Lo Buluk currently plays for the Illawarra Hawks and has played 205 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 5 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.7 assists since entering the league in 2018.

CURRENT CONTRACT:

Illawarra Hawks – 2 Year Deal (2026-28)