The Illawarra Hawks celebrated a deeply emotional victory on Sunday, claiming their first NBL championship in 24 years by defeating Melbourne United in the decisive Game Five. An inspiring boost for the team came from Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, who connected with the Hawks before the crucial match. Tatum’s father, Justin, who is the head coach of the Hawks, shared a motivational video message from his son with the players, emphasising the significance of the moment.
During the post-game celebration, Justin spoke of the impact Tatum’s support had on the team. “I received a video that morning, and Jayson asked me to share it with the group,” he explained. “It reassured them about what they needed to feel and how to approach such a pivotal game.” He noted that Jayson’s encouragement reflected the potential that his players could harness, especially with the Celtics watching the game. Justin highlighted how meaningful the message was, stating, “Hearing from him and the fact he reached out on his own was incredibly impactful for my players.”
Tatum, at 27, is an NBA standout, having led the Celtics to their first championship in over 15 years last season and winning gold medals for the USA in the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. Justin took over as the Hawks’ coach in 2023, remarkably transforming the team’s fortunes from the bottom of the league to championship glory in such a short span.
The Hawks’ victory not only ends a long title drought but also highlights the influence of supportive figures, showcasing how a simple gesture can resonate profoundly within a team context.