{"id":118454,"date":"2025-09-04T14:48:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T14:48:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/118454\/"},"modified":"2025-09-04T14:48:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T14:48:10","slug":"hawks-add-final-import-piece","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/118454\/","title":{"rendered":"Hawks add final import piece"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Illawarra Hawks have reportedly landed their new import guard, signing JaQuori McLaughlin on a one-year deal, according to ESPN\u2019s Olgun Uluc.<\/p>\n

The 27-year-old impressed at the CODE Sports NBL Blitz, particularly in the Hawks\u2019 second game where he delivered 24 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.<\/p>\n

McLaughlin played under head coach Justin Tatum at Pelita Jaya in Indonesia during the NBL\u2019s off-season, giving the pair a strong connection heading into the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 Season.<\/p>\n

Following Illawarra\u2019s win over Perth on Friday night, former MVP Derek Rucker was full of praise for the American guard.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you go with him now? Do you go ahead and lock him up? I think so,\u201d Rucker said via NBL Now.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d be stitching him up \u2026 if I\u2019m the Hawks, I\u2019m getting it done.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith lead guards and the role he could potentially play with this Illawarra Hawks team, he\u2019s got to be able to sense the moment and understand what he\u2019s coming into.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think he\u2019s intelligent enough as a basketball player and I think he demonstrated that tonight, that he can pick his moment to impact basketball games.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like the way he did it. He was able to create opportunities for himself off the bounce. He was able to get to the bucket. He drew fouls. He was able to create opportunities for his teammates.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s good enough to play in this competition on a very good basketball team.\u201d<\/p>\n

Earlier this week, Tatum earmarked Will Hickey as the Hawks\u2019 starting point guard for NBL26, with the pair set to form a dynamic and high-energy backcourt for the reigning champions.<\/p>\n

“Davo is my starting point guard,” Tatum told ESPN.<\/p>\n

“He earned it, deserved it… it’s his spot, as of now, to lead our team.\u201d<\/p>\n

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