Hawke’s Bay Hawks 2026 Season Preview

Big Barrel Hawks 2026 Season Preview

Dan Grida and a returning Keanu Rassmussen give Hawks faithful a reason to believe int 2026.

Team Snapshot:

Head Coach: Will Lopez (1st year)

Home Venue: Rodney Green Arenas, Taradale

2025 Finish: 7-13 (10th)

Key Returnee: Dan Grida

Key Signing: Alonzo Burton

Player to Watch: Keanu Rassmussen

At a Glance:

The Hawke’s Bay Hawks head into the 2026 Sal’s NBL season with a roster that has been refreshed around one proven cornerstone. Daniel Grida returns after a huge 2025 campaign and shapes as the central figure once again, while a blend of local talent, young pieces and new additions gives the Hawks an intriguing look heading into the new season. There is still much to be determined about the final makeup of the group, but the early signs suggest Hawke’s Bay will again lean heavily on Grida while looking for others around him to take the next step.

Hawke’s Bay Hawks 2026 Roster as of this Printing (New arrivals in bold):

Alonzo Burton

Kobe Kara

Isaac Allan

Keanu Rasmussen

Balin Casson

Daniel Grida (import)

Tommy Fergusson

Jacob Murphy

Clifton Bush III

Ezrah Eagle

2025 Hawks Stats Snapshot

Hawke’s Bay brings back a strong chunk of last year’s production just by securing the return of Dan Grida, who is the clear headliner after leading the 2025 Hawks in multiple major categories. Shots from the charity stripe were a high mark with a league best percentage, but overall there were just two major statistical categories in which they sat in the top half of the league.

Category | 2025 Team Leader | Top Returning Hawk | 2025 Team / League Rank
Scoring | Daniel Grida, 23.4 ppg | Dan Grida, 23.4 ppg | 86.3 ppg, 9th
Rebounding | Luca Yates, 9.7 rpg | Dan Grida, 8.8 rpg | 38.5 rpg, 11th
Assists | Brandon Alston, 5.9 apg | Dan Grida, 2.6 apg | 16.4 apg, 8th
Steals | Jackson Ball, 1.3 spg | Dan Grida, 1.3 spg | 5.2 spg, 11th
Blocks | Daniel Grida, 1.1 bpg | Dan Grida, 1.1 bpg | 2.5 bpg, 10th
Field Goal % | Kobe Kara, 58% | Kobe Kara, 58% | 45%, T-6th
3-Point % | Kobe Kara, 36% | Kobe Kara, 36% | 31%, 10th
Free Throw % | Jackson Ball, 84% | Ezrah Eagle, 75% | 75%, 1st

2025 Stats League Rankings

Team Stat | 2025 Numbers | League Rank
Scoring offense | 86.30 ppg | 9th
Scoring defense | 95.40 ppg allowed | 9th
Scoring margin | -9.10 | 10th
Rebounding margin | -5.30 | 10th
Field goal percentage | 45% | T-6th
3-point percentage | 31% | 10th
Free throw percentage | 75% | 1st
Assists per game | 16.40 | 8th
Steals per game | 5.15 | 11th
Blocks per game | 2.45 | 10th
Offensive rebounds per game | 7.20 | 11th
Defensive rebounds per game | 27.80 | 6th

Projected Identity:

Hawke’s Bay head into the 2026 Sal’s NBL season with a roster that has been refreshed around two cornerstones, one from each of the last two seasons. Dan Grida returns after a huge 2025 campaign and this time will be joined on the wing by returning 2024 star Keanu Rasmussen. The skillset of these two should blend seamlessly as they look to be the central figures in an offense that will need to play with pace. Elsewhere a blend local talent, both young and a bit longer in the tooth in the case of Burton, gives the Hawks a chance to take an intriguing look at who from this group will put their hand up to contribute heading into the new season. There is still a bit to be determined about the final makeup of the group (a couple imports to come and does anyone know what Jackson Ball is up to?), especially on the interior for a team who’s tallest player currently sits at 197cm (Grida). but the early signs suggest Hawke’s Bay will again lean heavily on Grida and Rasmussen as offensive engines that are looking to play with pace while they try to manipulate space.

Key Offseason Moves:

Departed: With a key local spot still to be filled this is still a work in progress, but the loss of Luca Yates will be felt, his rebounding was elite and his ability to bang bodies on the low post was key for a team that had few options in the post for the latter half of the season. Although Brandon Alston was a late arrival his impact was massive, especially as facilitator. Wani Swaka Lo Buluk never quite found his grove, but his versatility was key on the wing, as were contributions from Kahu Treacher and Dante Matakatea.

Arrived: Keanu Rasmussen stands as the Hawks’ biggest signing so far, returning to Hawke’s Bay after a season away. Rasmussen holds a New Zealand passport and counts as a local, giving the Hawks an important addition without using an import slot. The last time he suited up for the Hawks, he averaged 18.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, while shooting 45.3 percent from the field and 36.1 percent from three, underlining the level of impact he can bring. Another notable homecoming sees Alonzo Burton back in the bay after several seasons down South, bringing his floor stretching shooting from deep and valuable league experience and a genuine local connection to the roster. Although it might not be as valuable as his 39.8% shooting from deep for a team that was next to last in the leage in long range proficiency.

Returning: Daniel Grida is the clear anchor after starring for the Hawks in 2025 and returning as one of the competition’s most productive players. Around him, Around him, Jacob Murphy, Clifton Bush III, Kobe Kara, Isaac Allan and Ezrah Eagle give Hawke’s Bay some useful familiarity and a crew of young talent who will be keen to take on more responsibility. Tommy Fergusson’s road back from injury has been a difficult one, but the work has paid off with his return, as he looks to provide valuable minutes as the only real big on the roster before the final pieces arrive.

X-Factors:

Keanu Rasmussen – Rasmussen’s return is significant. As the Hawks’ biggest new signing to date, he gives Hawke’s Bay another proven local piece with scoring punch and versatility. His previous season with the Hawks showed exactly what he can offer as he deftly wove attacks to the basket with long range bombs off the dribble or with a catch on the weak side. His pace will be key and a multi-ball handler attack will look to keep defenses unbalanced.

Daniel Grida – As it was a season ago, everything starts with Grida. After a massive 2025 season, the Australian returns as the proven offensive engine and emotional leader of the group. If he again performs at an All-League level, the Hawks give themselves a chance most nights.

Alonzo Burton – Poor perimeter shooting hamstrung the offense last year, but with Zo back in the picture the pack it in philosophy won’t work for long. He has the ability to catch fire quickly and make find triples in spurts. A skillset that is sure to work well off the weakside when Grida and Rasmussen attack the paint and draw defensive attention.

Biggest Question: Who rises behind Grida and Rasmussen?

There is little doubt about the ability of Grida and Rasmussen to produce, but Hawke’s Bay’s season will come down to what the pieces around them can provide. The Hawks have some intriguing young pieces and a few fresh faces, but they will need to hit on their remaining import slots (likely to be an interior duo) and have the young crew of players to grow into bigger roles while delivering consistently if they are to climb the ladder. The talent is there to be competitive, but how quickly the supporting cast settles will go a long way toward shaping the season.

What Success Looks Like:

Success for the Hawks in 2026 looks like building a more balanced team around the Rasmussen/Grida pairing, staying in the playoff conversation and proving they can consistently challenge quality opposition. If the younger pieces develop, the new additions fit, and the still to come overseas reinforcements come to hand, Hawke’s Bay has enough intrigue to be a genuine factor all the way to the end of the season.

Final Word:

The Hawks enter 2026 with a proven star pairing on the perimeter to build around and a roster that still has a twist or two to come. If Grida and Rasmussen get the support neeeds and the group finds cohesion quickly, Hawke’s Bay will threaten the top 6 standings. If not it will be another year outside championship contention for the Hawks faithful.