Championship Hawk axed just six Days into NBL27

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The 'back to the future' tactic for the Illawarra Hawks in recruiting 2025 championship winner Darius Days has proven to be a disaster after the club announced they had parted ways with the US import after just one game.

Illawarra's decision was first reported by ESPN's Olgun Uluc before the club confirmed the news today as they prepare to bounce back from a disastrous performance in their season opener when they travel to Brisbane to take on the Bullets on Friday night.

"Days has been a valuable member of the organisation, contributing professionalism, energy, and commitment throughout his time at the club, including being an integral member of the Hawks NBL25 Championship winning team," the statement from the Hawks said.

"The club acknowledges his efforts and thanks him for the role he played within the playing group and the broader Hawks community.

"Both the Hawks and Days agreed that parting ways at this time is in the best interests of all involved, allowing the club to progress with its roster strategy for the season and enabling Days to pursue new opportunities.

"The Illawarra Hawks wish Darius all the very best in the next chapter of his career."

Days failed to impress in the preseason as well as the season opener for the Hawks, playing less than seven minutes for no points, three rebounds and four fouls.

There has been significant public commentary surrounding Days' fitness after arriving in Illawarra with the club previously believed to be happy to take the patient approach with the reserve forward as he worked his way back to game shape. But his lack of game fitness clearly impacted his performance, with Days unable to impact the game as he did two seasons ago, especially as an offensive punch off the bench.

However, the fit is believed to be the main reason behind Illawarra's decision to part ways with Days with Justin Tatum's team lacking size outside of Aussie big Sam Froling - something myself and Jason Cadee have brought up earlier in the preseason on the Cut to the Jase podcast.

Uluc has even said on ESPN the club needed to bring centres in to compete against Froling at trainings.

Now, whichever reason is the real reason behind Illawarra's decision to move on from Days, both were easy to see from the outside and you didn't have to be a recruitment expert to see that.

Days was clearly not in the shape the Hawks needed him in and Illawarra clearly lacked size. Outside of 213cm Froling, the next tallest Hawks is Mason Peatling at 203cm, not exactly the depth you need at one of the most important positions in the league.

Someone like NBL veteran import Marcus Lee, who's now playing in Asia, would've seemed like a perfect fit for Illawarra, given his experience in the league and his ability to play a role and be a presence on the defensive end.

Much like the Perth Wildcats, who are still without a point guard to lead them on the offensive end as Brandon Knight still hasn't arrived in Australia, the front office of the Hawks should be under extreme pressure after their decisions in the offseason, which has hindered the team's ability to start NBL27 off the right way.