FANS can expect Illawarra to have a hard defensive edge this season, with three-time Hawks Defensive Player of the Year Tyson Demos joining the club's coaching staff.
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It continues a deep dive into off-court roles for Demos who was the driving force behind the club's hugely successful Indigenous Round last year and has since been voted President of Australian Indigenous Basketball.
Demos will look to instill some defensive steel into what's a largely youthful back-court while he'll also take on the role of Community and Indigenous Programs manager.
He'll be looking to dish out his first lesson when the Hawks host the Indigenous All-Stars at the Snakepit next Saturday before taking up his position on the bench.
In another big addition, former club MVP and All-NBL First Team guard Cortez Groves will undertake the role of Individual Pathways Coach.
The Kansas State alum had two stints with the Hawks as a player before turning his focus to pathways for up-and-coming players trying to break into the NBA.
Former player and head coach Eric Cooks will continue in his long-time role as fulltime assistant to new coach Matt Flinn, while Illawarra local Ben Bagoly will fill the role of Technical Assistant Coach.