Hawks' hero heads to Indonesia for title tilt

Monday, April 28, 2025

"Tatum comes bringing a championship spirit and a high standard of professionalism to this IBL defending champion team."

There’s no rest for reigning Coach of the Year and Championship winner Justin Tatum, with the Hawks' leading man landing an off-season role in Indonesia.

Tatum has joined Pelita Jaya Jakarta on a short-term stint with the club, which competes in Indonesia’s top league and recently toured Australia in December to take on four NBL1 South teams.

He is expected to assume head coaching duties after the IBL All-Star weekend, with his first official assignment set for May 5, according to a statement.

"Tatum comes bringing a championship spirit and a high standard of professionalism to this IBL defending champion team," the club said.

"The goal is clear: to defend the IBL championship title and reach the top four in the BCL Asia," the statement continued.

According to Pelita Jaya, Tatum will coach 10 regular-season games (combined IBL and BCL Asia-East), the BCL Asia-East Final Four, the BCL Asia Final, and the IBL Playoffs.