Illawarra Hawks to Part Ways with Darius Days After Opening Loss

The new Hungry Jack's NBL27 season is barely underway, but Illawarra have already reached for the reset button.

According to ESPN’s Olgun Uluc, the Hawks are preparing to part ways with import forward Darius Days, a key piece in their NBL25 championship run. One game into the new campaign, his time in Wollongong appears to be over.

Days’ role shrank dramatically in Sunday’s 95–81 loss to New Zealand. The American logged less than seven minutes, failed to register a point and finished with just three rebounds as Illawarra were outplayed and outmuscled.

Behind the scenes, the decision had already started to take shape. Uluc reports that Days was informed on Tuesday that the club is moving in a different direction, with Illawarra now giving strong consideration to bringing in an import centre to bolster the frontcourt and support starting big man Sam Froling.

It’s a ruthless call on a player with a championship on his résumé in Hawks colours, but it underlines the urgency around the club after a flat opening performance.

Illawarra’s next test comes on Friday, September 25, against the Bullets at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre — and they may well arrive in Queensland with a very different look.