When Biwali Bayles stepped onto the court for the Illawarra Hawks' NBL26 season opener against Tasmania on September 27, it marked the end of a 572-day absence from Australia's premier basketball competition.
From minimal minutes to European dominance
The 23-year-old guard's last NBL appearance had been during the play-in final against New Zealand two seasons prior, where he saw just 0.08 minutes of court time. Throughout that NBL24 season, Bayles averaged 1.9 points on 25 percent shooting over 4.2 minutes per game.
After going off contract, Bayles found his groove in Switzerland with BBC Nyon, where his statistics told a completely different story. He dominated with averages of 18.8 points, 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game, proving he had the talent to excel at professional level.
The triumphant return to Wollongong
Since rejoining the Hawks for NBL26, Bayles has become an essential component of the team's structure. His opening night performance demonstrated his all-around capabilities with four points, four rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal - all without committing a single turnover.
His playing time has increased significantly, now averaging 14.2 minutes per game compared to his career average of 8.9 minutes across previous stints with both Sydney and Illawarra. Every statistical category shows improvement, confirming the value of his European experience.
Confidence forged through adversity
Bayles revealed that not being offered an NBL contract last year didn't damage his self-belief. Instead, he viewed it as redirection and an opportunity to develop his game overseas.
"The NBL is not the be-all end-all in the professional world," Bayles stated. "I got a great experience in Europe that I probably could have went back to again, but being home and being here is a huge plus."
The 6'1 guard emphasized the resilience required to succeed in professional sports, noting "If you're allowing that to take too much of a toll on you, then you're probably not made for this sport."
His confidence received another boost when he earned an NBA Summer League debut with the New York Knicks in July, an experience he described as "huge on my confidence" that reinforced his belief in his abilities.
Bayles' advice to aspiring basketball players reflects his own journey through setbacks, including being cut from teams and missing out on Australian junior teams. "You've just gotta stay with it," he urged, "because this is the reality of pro sport. You can't be deterred."
The Hawks' decision to re-sign Bayles came two months after his Knicks debut, creating what he describes as the perfect reunion. "The main thing for me is to be somewhere where I'm wanted and where I'm happy and where I'm able to play basketball to the best of my ability," Bayles explained.
With his renewed confidence and expanded skill set, Biwali Bayles has transformed from a role player to a key contributor, proving that sometimes stepping away can be the best way to move forward.
