Illawarra Hawks

Illawarra coach Justin Tatum on the roster: "We have the opportunity to upgrade this team. We're definitely going to use it." No timeline given. He's focused on the locker room first and didn't want a new player walking into potential turmoil during the 1-6 start.

Illawarra's defensive problem is players, not schemes, coach Justin Tatum said, and imports Milton Doyle and Kelan Martin must be more vocal: "If the individuals don't buy in on... guarding one on one, then it's really tough to do." Another import won't fix it, he said.

Replacement player Lamar Patterson is "doing exactly what I feel he was brought in here to do... uplift us in a spot if something happens," Illawarra coach Justin Tatum said. He named Patterson and Kyle Adnam as veterans who can plug in if injuries hit.

Illawarra coach Justin Tatum wants more minutes for Makur Maker, naming him one of the bright spots after he produced in 17 minutes: "We just got to find a way to keep fitting him in and hopefully find him some more minutes."

Makur Maker is "still trying to get his feet wet, understand where he can get his shots at," Illawarra Hawks coach Justin Tatum said, with staff working with him on the fly. Asked if nearing a third import changes plans, Tatum wouldn't commit: "we have multiple options."

Tyler Harvey lost minutes as opponents targeted him at both ends, Illawarra coach Justin Tatum said: "They were really hard hedging him and blitzing him... and then they was attacking him on the defensive end." Daniel Grida, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk and Kyle Adnam got his time.

Sam Froling sat for 7 minutes of the third quarter in Illawarra's 122-112 loss, and Hawks coach Justin Tatum said it was about riding the group on the floor: "Momentum, momentum. We was just working with the momentum... You don't need to mess something up."

Sam Froling's 16 minutes were not a restriction, Illawarra Hawks coach Justin Tatum said: "it wasn't no point of minute restrictions. Whoever was flowing at that time, that's what we go with." Asked about Mason Peatling, Tatum gave no update.

Amarco Doyle was left out of the player introductions because the newest arrival, though not suiting up, had to be dressed as one of the 11, it was explained at Illawarra's media availability. "We have to have all 11 dressed... but AD will hear his name soon."

Cleared but not yet playing: Illawarra's newest arrival got off the plane on October 2 and sat out. "He's cleared through all the medical and everything," Justin Tatum said, adding the new player will hopefully be available on October 4.