2022-2023 NBL Depth Charts
February 7, 2023
William Hickey
- Nationality: AUS
- Date of Birth: 18/01/99
- Place of Birth: Camperdown (VIC)
- Position: G/F
- Height (CM): 194
- Weight (KG): 92
- Junior Assoc: -
- College: None
- NBL DEBUT: 20/09/19
- AGE AT DEBUT: 20
- LAST NBL GAME: 12/10/24
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 25
- NBL History: South East Melbourne 2020 | Melbourne 2022 | Illawarra 2023-25
- Championships: 0
- None
NICKNAME/S: Davo
BIO: William Hickey, born Camperdown (VIC) and grew up in nearby Cowra. Hickey is a Indigenous player originally, a proud Wiradjuri and Gamilaroi/Gomeroi man.
NBL EXPERIENCE
William Hickey made his NBL debut with the South East Melbourne Phoenix at 20 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.
Will “Davo” Hickey began his NBL journey as a Development Player with the South East Melbourne Phoenix. Opportunities were limited for him on the court, as he scored just three points across two games while the Phoenix wrapped up a challenging season with a 9-19 record, finishing second last.
MELBOURNE UNITED
2021/22
In 2021/22, Hickey signed with Melbourne United on a two-year Development Player contract, aligning with the NBL’s Reconciliation Action Plan. After their 2021 championship win, Melbourne United faced roster shifts, losing leading scorer Jock Landale to the NBA and point guard Mitch McCarron to a lucrative deal with Adelaide. United rebuilt quickly, re-signing key players Jo Lual-Acuil, David Barlow, and Shea Ili, with additional boosts from Brad Newley (via Sydney) and NZNBL MVP Dion Prewster. The marquee signing, however, was NBA champion Matthew Dellavedova. Caleb Agada and German prospect Ariel Hukporti also joined, rounding out a competitive lineup.
United had a rocky 0-2 start but soon dominated, winning their next three games and suffering only one loss in January (5-1), all on the road. In January 2022, Chris Goulding achieved a major milestone, reaching 5,000 NBL points as only the second active player to do so, alongside Adelaide’s Daniel Johnson. United continued to excel, reaching a 12-4 record and securing the top spot on the ladder. Lual-Acuil (16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks) earned All-NBL First Team honours, while Goulding (15.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) landed on the All-NBL Second Team. Shea Ili’s (8.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.4 steals) impact as a bench player was recognised with the Sixth Man of the Year award. Hickey, limited to minimal court time, appeared in seven games and played a total of 13 minutes as United finished 20-8, setting up a semi-final clash with Tasmania.
In a competitive semi-final series, Tasmania leveled the series 1-1 at home after United’s initial 74-63 win. Without Goulding in Game 3, Melbourne’s shooting woes saw them fall short (76-73) and miss the Grand Final, as Tasmania made history in their debut season. United opted not to exercise the second-year option on Hickey’s contract at season’s end.
ILLAWARRA HAWKS
2022/23
With Brian Goorjian departing to coach in the East Asia Super League, assistant Jacob Jackomas was promoted to head coach for the Illawarra Hawks. However, significant roster turnover saw only Tyler Harvey and Sam Froling remain. Illawarra retooled with players like Deng Deng (via Brisbane) and Mangok Mathiang, along with imports Justin Robinson and George King.
After a promising season start, injuries plagued the Hawks. Robinson’s meniscus tear in the opener required surgery, and George King was eventually released due to a lingering leg issue. Despite replacements like Kevin White and Peyton Siva, injuries continued to impact the team. Hickey joined the Hawks as a mid-season injury replacement, playing his most active season yet with 24 appearances, averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.0 steals.
In December, Illawarra snapped a nine-game losing streak, defeating Melbourne 93-79 with a dominant 29-point game from Sam Froling. Shortly after, Michael Frazier II joined the Hawks but suffered a season-ending arm injury after eight games. Illawarra’s season struggles continued, and they concluded with the worst record in club history (3-25). Harvey (18.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists) led the team in scoring, while Froling earned team MVP honours.
Davo Hickey with the hands and the JAM! #HawkNation pic.twitter.com/7xprwOOfDE
— Illawarra Hawks Basketball (@illawarrahawks) October 17, 2022
2023/24
In 2023, Hickey returned to the Hawks as a development player but was later elevated to the full-time roster. His gritty play and commitment to the team earned him fan favourite status, cementing his place as a valued Hawk.
2024/25
Building on a breakout season, Illawarra exercised the second-year option in Hickey’s contract, keeping him with the club for 2024/25 as he continues his upward trajectory in the NBL.
William Hickey currently plays for the Illawarra Hawks and has played 63 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 4.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists since entering the league in 2019.
CURRENT CONTRACT:
Illawarra Hawks – 3 Year Deal (2022-25)
3rd Year Team Option
HIGHLIGHTS:
???????? Get a glimpse at what Davo can do! pic.twitter.com/QGdpcOqKV9
— Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) September 9, 2021
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 26 | Illawarra | 4-1 (2) | 16 | 32.0 | 37 | 21 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 16 | 32 | 50% | 0 | 4 | 0% | 5 | 10 | 50% | 50% | 50% | 15 |
| 2023-24 | 25 | Illawarra | 14-14 (4) | 25 | 301.0 | 131 | 73 | 29 | 32 | 41 | 16 | 8 | 16 | 43 | 45 | 89 | 51% | 3 | 10 | 30% | 38 | 58 | 66% | 56% | 52% | 18 |
| 2022-23 | 24 | Illawarra | 3-25 (10) | 24 | 352.0 | 114 | 68 | 28 | 26 | 42 | 25 | 11 | 41 | 37 | 40 | 112 | 36% | 6 | 35 | 17% | 28 | 43 | 65% | 43% | 38% | 16 |
| 2021-22 | 23 | Melbourne | 5-23 (10) | 7 | 13.0 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 29% | 1 | 3 | 33% | 2 | 2 | 100% | 44% | 0% | 5 |
| 2019-20 | 21 | South East Melbourne | 9-19 (8) | 2 | 2.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 25% | 0 | 2 | 0% | 1 | 1 | 100% | 34% | 0% | 3 | Totals | 63 | 763 | 292 | 165 | 70 | 69 | 96 | 45 | 23 | 69 | 90 | 104 | 244 | 42.6% | 10 | 54 | 18.5% | 74 | 114 | 64.9% | 50% | 45% | 18 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 26 | Illawarra | 4-1 (2) | 16 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 50% | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0% | 0.3 | 0.6 | 50% | 50% | 50% | 15 |
| 2023-24 | 25 | Illawarra | 14-14 (4) | 25 | 12.0 | 5.2 | 2.9 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 3.6 | 51% | 0.1 | 0.4 | 30% | 1.5 | 2.3 | 66% | 56% | 52% | 18 |
| 2022-23 | 24 | Illawarra | 3-25 (10) | 24 | 14.7 | 4.8 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 4.7 | 36% | 0.3 | 1.5 | 17% | 1.2 | 1.8 | 65% | 43% | 38% | 16 |
| 2021-22 | 23 | Melbourne | 5-23 (10) | 7 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 29% | 0.1 | 0.4 | 33% | 0.3 | 0.3 | 100% | 44% | 0% | 5 |
| 2019-20 | 21 | South East Melbourne | 9-19 (8) | 2 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 25% | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0% | 0.5 | 0.5 | 100% | 34% | 0% | 3 | Total | 63 | 12.1 | 4.6 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 3.9 | 42.6% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 18.5% | 0.2 | 0.9 | 64.9% | 50% | 45% | 18 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 18 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- Sydney 2018 | Inner West 2020 | Ballarat 2021 | Casey 2022 | Illawarra 2023 | Albury/Wodonga 2024
He spent the 2021 season playing in the NBL1 with the Ballarat Miners. Hickey averaged 18.2 points, 3.3 assists and 8.4 rebounds per game, while shooting over 42% from the field.
Related
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