TNT confirmed that import Darius Days is bound for an NBL return with the Illawara Hawks.
Team manager Jojo Lastimosa said the former NBA player told managemet about his next basketball journey after playing his final game with the Tropang 5G in the PBA Governors Cup on Tuesday night, a 110-107 comeback win over Converge at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The 26-year-old Days, who previously played for the Houston Rockets, is leaving for Sydney Wednesday night, according to Lastimosa.
READ: RHJ set for TNT return as Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson replaces Days
“He told us last night (Tuesday) that he was going to Australia,” said the TNT manager, one of the PBA’s 50 Greatest Players of all time, adding that Days agreed to a contract buyout.
Days is set to be replaced by Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, the brother of former NBA player Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
In his last game with the defending champions, Days played for 30 minutes and finished with 10 points (4-of-19), four rebounds, and an assist as TNT evens its record at 2-2.
In those four games, the American averaged 16.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.
Lastimosa describes Days as a great guy.
“He’s a good guy and easy to work,” he said of the import.
Just too bad, Days wasn’t in his best playing shape when TNT called up, said Lastimosa.
“We really decided that he wasn’t in a good shape to address our needs,” said the former TNT coach. “Unfortunate he couldn’t get to the level of fitness we want from him.”
In appreciation of the work he’s done with the franchise no matter how brief it was, the Tropang 5G gave Days a shout out in its official social media page.
“These Days won’t be forgotten. Salamat Darius, Wishing you nothing but the best,” the team posted on its Facebook page.
By returning to the NBL with the Hawks, Days is reunited with the same team he helped to a championship during the 2024-25 season.
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