Biwali Bayles

Biwali Bayles (born 15 February 2002) is an Australian professional basketball player for the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League (NBL).

Biwali Bayles
Bayles with the Sydney Kings in 2021
No. 14 – Illawarra Hawks
PositionPoint guard / shooting guard
LeagueNBL
Personal information
Born (2002-02-15) 15 February 2002
Brisbane, Queensland
NationalityAustralian
Listed height185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Listed weight84 kg (185 lb)
Career information
High schoolAlexandria Park
(Sydney, New South Wales)
CollegeHawaii (2020–2021)
NBA draft2022: undrafted
Playing career2021–present
Career history
2021–2023Sydney Kings
2023–presentIllawarra Hawks
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Australia
FIBA U17 Oceania Championship
Gold medal – first place2019 NouméaTeam

Early life

Biwali Bayles was born on 15 February 2002 in Brisbane.[1] He moved to the Sydney suburb of Redfern with his family when he was one or two years old, and grew up in The Block, which is home to him. He was a big fan of the Broncos player Jharal Yow Yeh, and at one point wanted to make a career out of rugby league football, until his mother suggested giving basketball a try.[2]

College career

Bayles committed to playing college basketball at Hawaii in January 2020.[3]

He led the team in assists per game (2.6) in his lone season with the program, while also averaging 6.2 points per game. He also hit a three-point shot against Cal State Northridge that would prove to be the game-winning shot for Hawaii.[4]

Bayles left the program in March 2021 to turn professional and play in Australia.[5] He said afterwards that it had been a good experience, but he had not had enough time on the court, and "at the end of the day, I didn’t really feel like it was for me".[2]

Professional career

Sydney Kings (2021–2023)

Bayles signed with the Sydney Kings on 27 April 2021.[6] He helped the Kings win the 2022 NBL championship.[7]

On 14 January 2023, it was announced that Bayles would be taking paid leave of absence from Kings for the rest of the 2022–23 season.[8] The Kings went on to win the 2023 NBL championship.[9]

Illawarra Hawks (2023–present)

On 25 May 2023, Bayles signed with the Illawarra Hawks as a development player for the 2023–24 NBL season.[10]

National team career

Bayles won a gold medal at the FIBA U17 Oceania Championships in 2019 playing for the Australia national under-17 team. He has also been a member of the Australia national under-19 team, playing for them at the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup.

Career statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2020–21 Hawaii 211219.3.404.432.6973.12.60.60.16.2

References
  1. "Biwali Bayles". Sydney Kings. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  2. Proszenko, Adrian (4 December 2021). "NBL 2021: New kid on The Block: Rising Indigenous Sydney Kings basketball star Bayles set to make a difference". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  3. "Hawaii men's basketball: Australian point guard Biwali Bayles commits to Rainbow Warriors". Hawaii Warrior World. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  4. "Biwali Bayles bails out Hawaii to earn tough road win at Cal State Northridge". Honolulu Star Advertiser. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  5. "Biwali Bayles leaving 'Bows Basketball program to play professionally in Australia". KHON2. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  6. "Kings Secure Young Gun Biwali Bayles for NBL22". NBL. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  7. "Kings Win First Championship in 17 Years with Record Crowd". NBL.com.au. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  8. "Sydney Kings Statement: Biwali Bayles". NBL.com.au. 14 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  9. "Kings' Big Finish to Secure Back-to-Back Championships". NBL.com.au. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  10. "Biwali Bayles joins the Hawks as Development Player". Hawks.com.au. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
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