Long-time mates Tyson Demos and Dan Jackson (pictured) will continue their NBL careers with Wollongong for at least another year after the Hawks re-signed the pair yesterday.The former Illawarra junior representatives were relieved to delete their names from the NBL free agents list, while the Hawks are pleased to have Jackson and Demos back on board."Ensuring we have local Illawarra talent as part of our roster is an important part to our club," Hawks general manager Mili Simic said.
Full coverage of the Hawks "Tyson and Dan are home-grown talents who take pride in representing their city and the club they grew up supporting."Both players opted to stay in Wollongong during the off-season to continue working with our coaches, but also help revitalise the Illawarra Basketball Association Waratah League program," Simic said. "Their commitment to helping grow basketball in our region is fantastic and we're excited to have them both as part of our program for the upcoming season."Jackson, a 200cm forward, is preparing for his fifth season with the Hawks and could be set for a breakout year if his consistent Waratah League form is any guide.The 23-year-old was the driving force behind the resurrection of Illawarra's side and Hawks management can't speak highly enough of his commitment to the club's community-based programs.Rugged guard Demos had three years at the Gold Coast before joining Wollongong for the 2010-11 season.He quickly became one of the team's most popular players with fans and is elated to sign a new contract with the club."There's no better place to be than Wollongong," Demos said."I've got my friends and family here; it's a great lifestyle to have. [Coach] Gordie [McLeod] and our coaching staff are constantly helping me improve my game. This is an awesome group to be with and I'm looking forward to the season."I enjoyed coming home last season and playing for the Hawks. The support from the community and our crowd is passionate and I can't wait to get out there and play with pride for my city."Jackson is looking forward to pressing for a regular spot in McLeod's 10-man playing rotation."It's exciting to be back with the Hawks," Jackson said."Gordie is giving me the opportunities to continually improve my game day in, day out. I'm enjoying representing my home city and most of all helping basketball grow in the Illawarra."We have such a great culture within our club from our players, coaches to management that this is one of the best places to be playing basketball in the country right now."Jackson and Demos are ranked as the third and fourth leading scorers in the Waratah League and enjoying their battles at training.Wollongong now have nine players under contract for the 2011-12 season and McLeod remains optimistic about signing two talented imports.Players secured for next season are Demos, Jackson, Mat Campbell, Glen Saville, Larry Davidson, Oscar Forman, Dave Gruber, Rhys Martin and Tim Coenraad.The Hawks' tip off their season with a home game against titleholders New Zealand on October 9.
