Hawke's Bay Hawks

Last updated

Hawke's Bay Hawks
Hawke's Bay Hawks logo.jpg
League NZNBL
HistoryNapier Sunhawks
1983–1985
Hawke's Bay Hawks
1986–1998; 2000–2019; 2021–
Arena Pettigrew Green Arena
Location Napier, Hawke's Bay,
New Zealand
Team coloursBlack, grey, orange
Main sponsorTaylor Corporation
PresidentSally Crown
General manager Jarrod Kenny
Head coachSam Gruggen
Championships1 (2006)
Website Hawks.org.nz

The Hawke's Bay Hawks are a New Zealand professional basketball team based in Napier. The Hawks compete in the National Basketball League (NBL) and play their home games at Pettigrew Green Arena. For sponsorship reasons, they are known as the Taylor Hawks.

Contents

Team history

The Hawke's Bay Hawks, then known as the Napier Sunhawks, started in the second-tiered Conference Basketball League (CBL). After winning the CBL Invitation championship in 1982, [1] the team was promoted to the National Basketball League (NBL) for the 1983 season. [2] They made the semi-finals in 1983, before going on a nine-year playoff hiatus. The Hawks made the semi-finals every year between 1993 and 1997, [3] including playing in their first NBL championship series in 1995, where they lost 2–0 to the Auckland Stars. [4]

In 1998, the Hawks finished tenth in the 11-team competition. They subsequently withdrew from the NBL and joined the CBL for the 1999 season. After finishing as CBL runners-up in 1999, [1] [5] the Hawks returned to the NBL in 2000.

In 2004, the Hawks made their first NBL playoff appearance since 1997. [3] They went on to reach the championship round three years in a row between 2005 and 2007, which included them winning their maiden NBL championship in 2006 with an 84–69 victory over the Auckland Stars in the final. [6] [7] The Hawks continued to play in the post-season every year between 2008 and 2012, including making the final in 2011 and winning their first minor premiership in 2012. After missing the playoffs in 2013, the Hawks' 2014 season saw them win second minor premiership and reach the championship round for the sixth time.

Between 2015 and 2017, the Hawks had a three-year playoff hiatus, including a winless campaign in 2016. [8] They returned to the playoffs in 2018, before reaching the NBL final in 2019, where they lost 78–68 to the Wellington Saints despite leading 59–38 midway through the third quarter. [9] [10] [11]

The Hawks sat out the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [12] They returned in 2021 and reached their eighth NBL final, where they once again lost to the Wellington Saints. [13]

Honour roll

NBL Championships:1 (2006)
NBL Playoff appearances:19 (1983, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021)
NBL Grand Final appearances:8 (1995, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2019, 2021)
Most Valuable Player:Adrian Majstrovich (2004), Paora Winitana (2006)
Kiwi MVP:Adrian Majstrovich (2004), Paora Winitana (2007)
All-Star Five:Thomas DeMarcus (1983), Willie Burton (1987, 1988), Jamie Dixon (1989, 1990), Kerry Boagni (1993), Terry Giles (1993), Darryl Johnson (1995), Paul Henare (2003, 2005), Adrian Majstrovich (2004), Paora Winitana (2006, 2012), Dustin Scott (2014), Angus Brandt (2018), E. J. Singler (2019), Brandon Bowman (2019)
Most Outstanding Guard:Jamie Dixon (1989, 1990), Terry Giles (1993), Paora Winitana (2006)
Most Outstanding Kiwi Guard:Byron Vaetoe (1993), Paora Winitana (2006)
Most Outstanding Forward:Willie Burton (1989), Kerry Boagni (1993), Adrian Majstrovich (2004)
Most Outstanding Kiwi Forward/Centre:Willie Burton (1997), Adrian Majstrovich (2004)
Scoring Champion:Jamie Dixon (1989, 1990), Kerry Boagni (1993), Troy Coleman (2000)
Rebounding Champion:Willie Burton (1987, 1994), Robert Wilson (1998), Amir Williams (2017)
Assist Champion:Jamie Dixon (1989), Terry Giles (1993), Shaun McCreedy (2000), Paul Henare (2004, 2005, 2007), Jarrod Kenny (2017, 2019)
Rookie of the Year:Adrian Majstrovich (2003)
Coach of the Year:Curtis Wooten (1989), James Logan (1993), Shawn Dennis (2004), Paul Henare (2012), Tab Baldwin (2014)
Most Improved Player:Ethan Rusbatch (2019)

Source: Hawks NBL Role of Honour

Players

Current roster

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.

Hawke's Bay Hawks roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHt.
G 0 Flag of New Zealand.svg Cox, Isaac
F 1 Flag of New Zealand.svg Treacher, Kahu 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in)
F 2 Flag of New Zealand.svg Casson, Balin
F 3 Flag of New Zealand.svg Kara, Kobe 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
G 4 Flag of the United States.svg Moore, Isaiah  (I)1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
C 5 Flag of New Zealand.svg Keighley, Harry
G 6 Flag of New Zealand.svg Kenny, Jarrod 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
G 7 Flag of New Zealand.svg Murphy, Jacob 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
G 9 Flag of New Zealand.svg Ball, Jackson 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
G 10 Flag of New Zealand.svg Smiler, Zoram
F 11 Flag of New Zealand.svg Ngatai, Jordan  (C)1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
F 15 Flag of New Zealand.svg Fergusson, Tommy 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)
F 17 Flag of New Zealand.svg Bush, Clifton 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)
G 20 Flag of New Zealand.svg Lavery, Tanae
G 21 Flag of New Zealand.svg Moore, Ryder
G 22 Flag of New Zealand.svg Rasmussen, Keanu 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
F/C 23 Flag of the United States.svg Roberts, Josh  (I)2.05 m (6 ft 9 in)
G 33 Flag of New Zealand.svg Cartwright, Kade 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)
F 35 Flag of the United States.svg Sutherland, Lucas  (I)2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)
F 44 Flag of New Zealand.svg Tuala-Fata, Denim 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in)
Head coach
  • Flag of Australia (converted).svg Sam Gruggen
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Development player
  • (IN) Inactive
  • (I) Import player
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured
Updated: 20 June 2024

Notable past players

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Basketball League (New Zealand)</span> Premier basketball league in New Zealand

The New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) is a men's semi-professional basketball league in New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wellington Saints</span> Basketball team in Wellington, New Zealand

The Wellington Saints are a New Zealand professional men's basketball team based in Wellington. The Saints compete in the National Basketball League (NBL) and play their home games at TSB Bank Arena. For sponsorship reasons, they are known as the Mills Albert Wellington Saints.

Arthur Trousdell is a New Zealand-British professional basketball player who last played for the Hawke's Bay Hawks of the National Basketball League (NZNBL).

Lindsay Michael Tait is a New Zealand former professional basketball player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jarrod Kenny</span> New Zealand basketball player

Jarrod Daniel Kenny is a New Zealand basketball player for the Hawke's Bay Hawks of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL). He won two championships in the Australian NBL with the Perth Wildcats in 2016 and 2017 and has represented the New Zealand Tall Blacks multiple times.

Everard Verdon Bartlett is a New Zealand basketball coach and former player. He most recently served as the head coach of the Hawke's Bay Hawks of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL). Bartlett was a regular in the NZNBL between 2005 and 2022, playing the majority of those years with the Hawke's Bay Hawks. He also had various stints in the Australian NBL for the New Zealand Breakers, Perth Wildcats and Adelaide 36ers, and was a regular with the New Zealand Tall Blacks between 2012 and 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenny McFadden</span> New Zealand basketball player and coach (1960–2022)

Kenny McFadden was an American basketball player and coach. Born in the United States, he moved to New Zealand in 1982, where he played 15 seasons for the Wellington Saints and won four NBL championships. He was instrumental in developing and coaching New Zealand's young basketball players over 40 years.

The Hutt Valley Lakers were a New Zealand basketball team based in Hutt Valley, Wellington. The Lakers competed in the National Basketball League (NBL).

Dion Anthony Prewster is an American-born New Zealand basketball player for the Wellington Saints of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL). He played college basketball for San Jacinto College and Stephen F. Austin State University. He served as an assistant coach of the Shimane Susanoo Magic in the Japanese B.League during the 2023–24 season.

The National Basketball League Finals Most Valuable Player is an annual National Basketball League (NBL) award currently given to the best performing player over the finals or grand final. The award has previously been known as Final MVP and Final Four MVP.

Derone Jordan Raukawa is a New Zealand basketball player for the Taranaki Airs of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL).

Clifton Bush II is an American-New Zealand former professional basketball player. He played the majority of his career in the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) and gained New Zealand citizenship in 2004. In 2001, he was the league's leading scorer, voted Outstanding Forward and was a member of the All-Star Five while helping the Waikato Titans to the title. He also spent five seasons playing in Iceland, where he was named 1. deild Foreign Player of the Year in 1998.

Ethan Rusbatch is a New Zealand basketball player for the Franklin Bulls of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL). He began his New Zealand NBL career in 2012 with the Southland Sharks after spending one season in the United States playing college basketball for Lincoln Trail College. After playing for the Taranaki Mountainairs in 2013, he spent the next four seasons with the Canterbury Rams. He joined the Hawke's Bay Hawks in 2018 and won the NZNBL's Most Improved Player in 2019. He also played two seasons with the New Zealand Breakers in the Australian NBL.

Shea Ili is a New Zealand professional basketball player for Melbourne United of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). He debuted in the Australian NBL in 2014 with the New Zealand Breakers. He was a member of the Breakers' championship-winning team in 2015 and in 2018 he named the NBL Most Improved Player. He joined United in 2019 and in 2021 he won his second NBL championship. He was named NBL Best Sixth Man in 2022 and NBL Best Defensive Player in 2024.

The 2018 NBL season was the 37th season of the National Basketball League. In 2018, the league welcomed back the Manawatu Jets after a two-season hiatus.

The 2019 NBL season was the 38th season of the National Basketball League. The competition increased to nine teams in 2019 with the Southern Huskies joining the league for the first time, marking the first time ever that an Australian team has joined a New Zealand competition.

Jordan Ngatai is a New Zealand professional basketball player for the Kapfenberg Bulls of the Austrian Basketball Superliga. He played six seasons with the New Zealand Breakers in the Australian NBL and is a regular New Zealand Tall Black. In the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL), he is a four-time champion.

The 2021 NBL season was the 40th season of the National Basketball League.

Jordan Hunt is a New Zealand professional basketball player for the Surrey 89ers of the Super League Basketball. He debuted in the New Zealand New National Basketball League (NZNBL) in 2015 with the Wellington Saints and won a championship with them in 2016. After four years of college basketball in the United States with the Southern Oregon Raiders, he helped the Otago Nuggets win the NZNBL championship in 2020 while earning grand final MVP. He subsequently spent the 2020–21 NBL season in Australia with the Cairns Taipans as a development player.

References

  1. 1 2 "2010 Conference Basketball League" (PDF). Basketball.org.nz. pp. 4–5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 January 2015.
  2. ↑ "2005 League Handbook" (PDF). Basketball.org.nz. pp. 32–36. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 August 2006.
  3. 1 2 "Team Awards". hawks.org.nz. Archived from the original on 13 August 2019.
  4. ↑ "1995 NBL CHAMPIONS: AUCKLAND STARS". nznbl.basketball. Archived from the original on 5 August 2019.
  5. ↑ "CBL Final". plug.co.nz. 25 August 1999. Archived from the original on 18 January 2000.
  6. ↑ "2006 NBL CHAMPIONS: HAWKE'S BAY HAWKS". nznbl.basketball. Archived from the original on 5 August 2019.
  7. ↑ "Hawks win NZNBL title". NBL.com.au. 10 July 2006. Archived from the original on 27 August 2006. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  8. ↑ Anderson, Niall (9 May 2016). "Promise for Bay Hawks despite 0-14 record". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  9. ↑ "Saints vs Hawks". FIBALiveStats.com. 21 July 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  10. ↑ Smith, Tony (21 July 2019). "Wellington Saints claim 11th NBL title with stunning comeback win over Hawks". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  11. ↑ Singh, Anendra (21 July 2019). "Basketball: Wellington Saints claw back to end Hawks' fairy-tale Final 4 run for 11th NBL title". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  12. ↑ "Taylor Hawks will not enter the modified 2020 Sal's NBL Competition". hawks.org.nz. 16 May 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  13. ↑ "Wellington Saints continue NBL dominance with grand final win over Hawke's Bay Hawks". Stuff.co.nz. 23 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.