It was a 'Kell' of a Hawks run ... but it's over now

Written By

Peter Brown

basketball.com.au

It was a 'Kell' of a Hawks run ... but it's over now

Trey Kell III of the Hawks celebrates after game five of the NBL Grand Final Series between Illawarra Hawks and Melbourne United at WIN Entertainment Centre on March 23, 2025 in Wollongong. Photo: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Highlights

American import Trey Kell III has left the Illawarra Hawks for Japan B.League team Toyama Grouses

It's now former Illawarra Hawks superstar Trey Kell III.

The 29-year-old American is signing with the Japan B.League Toyama Grouses for the 2025-26 season.

Kell III joins Australian star and B.League scoring champion Brock Motum, who signed with the promoted Grouses earlier this week.

"(Shoutout) Illawarra for the great year,” Kell III wrote on Instagram.

"… one that will be remembered forever. I’ll definitely be watching the banner ceremony."

The NBL First Team Member's departure from the NBL champion Hawks leaves a significant hole in their backcourt now also on the hunt for a frontcourt replacement for Lachlan Olbrich, who was selected with the 55th pick of the 2025 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls yesterday.

Trey Kell III of the Hawks drives to the basket during game five of the NBL Grand Final Series between Illawarra Hawks and Melbourne United at WIN Entertainment Centre on March 23, 2025 in Wollongong. Photo: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Kell III, who played for the Shanxi Loongs in the Chinese national league at the end of NBL25, poured in 17.7 points per game, 4.3 assists and 1.1 steals during the Hawks NBL 2024-25 season.

He was the catalyst — along with William "Davo" Hickey — in Game 5 of the 2025 NBL Grand Final Series, scoring 26 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing seven assists in the decisive 114-104 win against Melbourne United.

The shooting guard struggled with a knee injury during the series but head coach Justin Tatum revealed a conversation he had with Kell III before Game 5 that showed his killer instinct.

"I texted Trey this morning, said, 'Hey man, how you feeling? How's the knee?” Tatum asked.

"After workouts yesterday, his first text back was, 'I'm just ready to win the trophy'. Not like “Hey, it’s okay” or 'I think I can push through', it was 'I'm going to win. We going to win. I'm ready to win this trophy'."

Brock Motum #14 of Australia celebrates a bucket during the Men's Basketball Bronze medal game between Australia and Spain on Day 16 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 22, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The Hawks now have two import spots available for NBL26 with just eight weeks before the pre-season Blitz in Canberra.

Toyama Grouses are levelling up to take on the Japan B.League first division next season and securing Kell III as well as Motum adds significant firepower.

Former Australian Boomer Motum, 34, celebrated his scoring title with a renewed focus on the 2025-26 B.League season.

"It's a great feeling to lead a league in scoring, it validates that what I am doing is working," Motum said.

"It takes a lot of energy and focus to consistently produce every single game so it's nice now to reflect back on the season I had and appreciate it before I start working out again in the offseason on how to be even better next year."