Hawks the "perfect spot" for star import

Much has been made of the Illawarra Hawks' signing of NBL24 champion Milton Doyle for the 2026-27 season.

Hawks coach Justin Tatum called the recruitment of the US guard as a "steal", believing he can add firepower to their explosive backcourt.

This sentiment is echoed by 1990 NBL MVP Derek Rucker, who believes Doyle is just what Illawarra needed.

"I've had a love-hate relationship with Milton Doyle over the years, but I think this is the perfect spot for him to land," Rucker said on NBL Now.

"Especially after not a great season, [but also] not a horrible season at Melbourne United.

"The fact that he was able to maintain a spot in the League is great for him.

"[Now] if you look at the three guards in [Tyler] Harvey, Doyle, and Davo Hickey, among themselves have enough talent and point guard nous to be able to cover it without a pure point guard.

"We can talk about what Trey Kell was able to do in that championship season, but I don't consider Trey Kell a true point guard either.

"He's someone that at times was really smart, made good decisions like a point guard.

"The key thing is Tyler Harvey thrived when he had another guy that was willing to facilitate who also has good size, just like Doyle [also does].

"It also gives them two big shot makers. We know Harvey is a big-time clutch performer, and Doyle proved himself as a big-time clutch performer to help Tasmania win a title."

One who isn't as sold on the signing is three-time NBL champion, Chris Anstey.

"Tyler Harvey thrived when he wasn't given the responsibility to break pressure and bring the ball up the floor, [before] getting off the ball to get back on it again," Anstey said.

"I thought the Milton Doyle signing was interesting, [because] I would have picked a pure point guard or someone who could give him his minutes in the point guard.

"[I'd prefer to see] Harvey play off the ball for 15-20 minutes; think Klay Thompson or Steph Curry.

"Get him in actions that allow him to be a high-level scorer for the entire game.

"[Not only that], but Doyle has also frustrated many of us at times because we think he's capable of being more aggressive.

"He will have games where he becomes a passenger, and he isn't as aggressive as he is other days.

"On this team, he needs to be a lot more aggressive than what he was at United.

"Go back to being the Tasmanian JackJumpers version of Milton Doyle."

The Hawks face Adelaide at the 2026 CODE Sports NBL Blitz on Thursday.