Mason Peatling Joins Illawarra Hawks NBL1 Men’s Team

The Illawarra Basketball Association is thrilled to announce the signing of Mason Peatling to the Illawarra Hawks NBL1 Men’s team for the 2026 season.

Peatling, a two-time NBL champion, won National titles with Melbourne United in 2021 and with Illawarra in 2025, and now brings his winning experience and leadership to the Hawks’ NBL1 program.

Peatling is a 28-year-old forward with extensive experience in Australia’s top competitions. He spent three seasons with Melbourne United, where he was part of the 2021 NBL championship and joined the Illawarra Hawks NBL squad in 2023. He became a crucial member of Illawarra’s starting lineup during their fairytale NBL25 championship. At 203cm tall, Peatling is known for his strong defensive presence and versatility on offense – qualities that will bolster the Hawks’ frontcourt and provide much-needed stability in the paint. He has also proven himself at the NBL1 level, having helped the Knox Raiders claim the NBL1 South championship in 2023.

Peatling’s basketball journey has been marked with success at every level. He played college basketball at Eastern Washington University, where he was named the Big Sky Conference Player of the Year in 2020. In 2023, he earned his first call-up to the Australian Boomers national squad, representing Australia in FIBA World Cup qualifying games. Peatling also excelled in the NBL1 South competition, averaging a double-double with the Dandenong Rangers in 2024. This wealth of experience, from US college honours to national team involvement and domestic championships, underlines Peatling’s pedigree as a leader and winner.

Head Coach Matt Flinn welcomed the high-profile addition to his squad, lauding Peatling’s leadership and all-around impact:

“Mason is a true leader in every sense. On and off the floor, he is a pro’s pro when it comes to applying his trade as a basketball player and our association is extremely lucky to secure his services for the 2026 season.

He will add some much needed stability to our interior defence – [he] provides us with a versatile target offensively and will assist with the development of the young kids we have coming through. We are excited about what this season looks like and plan on going one step further this year.”

Peatling himself is equally enthusiastic about joining the Illawarra Hawks NBL1 squad and contributing to the Hawks’ culture and success. The two-time NBL champion is eager to hit the court in front of Illawarra’s passionate supporters, saying:

“I can’t wait to play in front of our Illawarra Hawks fans during the NBL1 season and be a part of something special with Coach Flinn, Toddy and the rest of the squad. Can’t wait to pack out the Snakepit and continue to represent Illawarra with pride.”

With Peatling on board, we continue to assemble a formidable roster poised for a championship push. IBA’s partnership with the Illawarra Hawks NBL club has paved the way for top-tier talent to feature in the NBL1 program, and Peatling’s signing exemplifies that alignment. The 2026 NBL1 East season tips off in April, and Illawarra fans can look forward to an exciting campaign at The Snakepit as the Hawks set their sights on bringing home the title