ILLAWARRA have parted ways with import guard Travis Trice over his refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19, the second NBL star to be moved on over the stance in as many days.
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Trice had joined the club in what would've been a return to the NBL, with the 28-year-old having enjoyed previous stints in Australia with Cairns and Brisbane.
His time is now over before it began, with his release coming before even kitting up in Hawks colours where he was expected to form a dynamic back-court tandem with franchise star Tyler Harvey.
Hawks president and co-owner Dorry Kordahi said it was a regrettable turn of events but the unwavering stance left Trice unable to fulfil his playing obligations in a fully national competition.
"I know our members and fans were looking forward to watching Travis compete for our club, but sadly he will not be playing for the Illawarra Hawks this NBL season," Kordahi said.
"We fully respect Travis' views and freedom of choice in regards to the vaccine, but being unvaccinated was going to result in numerous challenges, especially as we are still firmly in the midst of the pandemic.
"We wish Travis all the best but have immediately turned our attention to a replacement. We are currently exploring a number of viable options and we hope to have some good news in the coming weeks for our members and fans."
Trice, who spent his most recent season with Galatasaray in the Turkish League, described the decision as being in the best for himself and the club.
"Sadly I won't be suiting up in a Hawks uniform this season," Trice said.
"The decision was made in the best interests of both parties and I wish the Hawks all the best for the upcoming season."
New Zealand also cut star guard Tai Webster on Monday over his refusal to be vaccinated, a requirement to travel across state and international borders.
Both decisions appear amicable, but the NBL is facing a growing headache on the issue as the only professional sporting competition in Australia with a franchise in every state.
New Zealand also spent the bulk of last season, and the lead-in, based fulltime in Australia due international border restrictions preventing Trans-Tasman travel.
They are set to be based in Melbourne ahead of a scheduled November 18 season tipoff, though that date is all but certain to be pushed back to mid-December.
NSW and Victoria remain in the grip of COVID-19 delta variant that's seen full-scale lockdowns in both states and a shift in focus from driving down case numbers to vaccination rates.
Both governments have indicated that freedoms, in the immediate future, will only be granted to those who are fully vaccinated.
The West Australian and Queensland governments have taken hard-line stances on border closures and show no sign of softening in the immediate term.
NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger has said the league will not implement a mandatory vaccination policy, but warned clubs and players that government policies could prevent unvaccinated players traveling freely between states.
"We will continue to educate our people and will strongly recommend [vaccination]," Loeliger said in a statement earlier this month.
"It may be that those who don't get vaccinated won't be able to travel between states and countries, or even enter certain venues, and therefore won't be able to participate in some games when the season begins.
"Individuals that decide not to get vaccinated could be subjected to different rules depending on various government protocols and restrictions."
Earlier this month the Sydney Kings shutdown training and sent players and staff into isolation after a player returned a positive COVID test.
Reigning champions Melbourne United dealt with its own outbreak among players and staff prior to last season, ultimately going on to claim the title.
The Kings and Hawks began last season on the road when they were relocated to Albury on Christmas Eve amid the Sydney Northern Beaches outbreak.
Both subsequently shifted to North Queensland and, with the Melbourne NBL Cup added to the schedule, the Hawks played 16 of their first 17 games on the road, not returning to Wollongong full-time until April.
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