'We love him': Hawks re-sign NBL champion

The Illawarra Hawks have confirmed the re-signing of NBL25 championship winner Darius Days on a one-year deal.

The American, who averaged 10.2 points and 6.1 rebounds during the Hungry Jack's NBL25 Season, returns to the Foundation Club after stints with San-en NeoPhoenix (Japan) and TNT Tropang 5G (the Philippines).

Hawks coach Justin Tatum is thrilled to welcome the 26-year-old back to Wollongong.

"We got double D back, and you ain't going to do nothing but see what smiles on the court," Tatum said to Hawks Media.

"Big shot-making Darius, is a great rebounder and has a great personality - just a great dude.

"We know the Illawarra loved him, as we do, and we're just happy to have a chance to get him back here in our rotation and on our team."

Days joins fellow NBL25 championship winners Tyler Harvey, Sam Froling, Todd Blanchfield, Dan Grida, Will Hickey, Kobe McDowell-White, Johny Narkle, Mason Peatling and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, as well asMilton Doyle, Kyle Adnam and Amarco Doyle, on Tatum's side for this season.

“I feel like the word for this year is hunger,” Days said to the Illawarra Mercury.

“Talking to the guys, last year, everyone was riding high off that championship and weren’t as hungry [as they needed to be].

“But now, being back around the group, everyone is hungry, and we know this season is going to be different.”

Days is confident he can play even better than he did in his first season with the Hawks, and help the team and region achieve their goal of a third-ever title.

“At the end of the day, I'm still going to be the same player, but with the right preparation, I can go from 10 [points] and 6 [rebounds] to 15 and 8 this season,” he said.

“You always want to be at a place that you're loved and want you there, and JT (Tatum) asked what it would take to get me back. I told him, and he got it done.

“Everyone knows what I’m going to bring; I’m going to bring the energy and play hard for my team and the community.”

Illawarra will open its 2026-27 campaign on Sunday, September 20 against the New Zealand Breakers at Spark Arena.