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Hawks Coach Slams NBL Awards Snub
19 Feb
Summary
- Coach Tatum expressed frustration over Wani Swaka Lo Buluk's award exclusion.
- Swaka Lo Buluk consistently guarded top opposition scorers like Davis and Cotton.
- The Illawarra Hawks' season concluded with a win but missed finals.

The Illawarra Hawks have concluded their NBL season after a 103-70 victory against the Tasmania JackJumpers. However, Head Coach Justin Tatum expressed significant frustration regarding the NBL's individual awards, specifically the omission of Wani Swaka Lo Buluk from Defensive Player of the Year nominations.
Tatum highlighted Swaka Lo Buluk's role as the league's top defender, noting his consistent matchups against elite scorers like Kendric Davis and Bryce Cotton. Despite these challenging assignments, Swaka Lo Buluk did not receive a nomination, a decision Tatum described as "very disturbing" and a "slap in the face" to the player's work ethic.
The Hawks now shift their focus to the offseason. Following a championship win in the previous season, the team missed the finals in NBL26 and aims to rebound in NBL27.




