4
Feb
Becoming an Aussie
Hawk Harvey follows in Cotton's Aussie footsteps
Tyler Harvey of the Hawks celebrates a three pointer during game four of the NBL Grand Final Series between Melbourne United and Illawarra Hawks at John Cain Arena on March 19, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
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Illawarra Hawks star Tyler Harvey will be able to play the 2027-28 NBL season as a local
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Illawarra Hawks star and NBL champion Tyler Harvey has followed in the footsteps of five-time MVP Bryce Cotton after becoming a permanent resident of Australia, reports ESPN's Olgun Uluc.
Uluc reported Harvey will be an Australian citizen and will be able to play as a local for the 2026-27 NBL season.
The 32-year-old has become a fan favourite amongst Hawks fans after first arriving for the 2020-21 season, where he played under the legendary Brian Goorjian, and has been a figurehead of the franchise ever since, helping lead Illawarra to a drought-breaking championship last season.
Harvey's news follows Cotton, who became an Australian citizen in September last year and has been playing as a local for the Adelaide 36ers ever since. He's not the only US import focused on calling Australia home permanently with Brisbane Bullets forward Casey Prather already in the same process - he spoke about it to basketball.com.au's Jason Cadee when he appeared on an episode of Cut to the Jase.
A two-time All-NBL First Team Member from 2021 and 2025, Harvey was drafted 51st overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2015 NBA Draft.
The clutch sharpshooter, who has become known for hitting several big game-winning shots during his time in the NBL, has averaged 17.3 points, 2.9 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game. He shot an NBL career-high 38.6% from beyond the arc during Illawarra's championship run in the 2024-25 season.
He is averaging 16.5 points, 3.6 assists and three rebounds this season but the Hawks look set to miss the play-in.
He has played in the NBA G-League, Italy, France, Germany, Puerto Rico and in China.
