AJ Ogilvy re-signs with the Illawarra Hawks

Many would have been forgiving if the chips had started to fall after the announcement that reigning league MVP Kevin Lisch would not be returning to the Illawarra Hawks for season 2016/17.

However, despite the hiccup, head coach Rob Beveridge has solidified the next best for the future with the re-signing of centre AJ Ogilvy.

Ogilvy will return to the Hawks on a three-year deal, hitting the Illawarra hardwood until 2019.

“Obviously I’m over the moon to have retained AJ for the next three seasons. AJ had a great season last year and I look forward to continuing to help AJ become a more dominating player while leading our team into the future," Beveridge said via the Hawks release.

Ogilvy won the club's Defensive Player of the Year award last season, despite teammate Kevin Lisch scoring the league's DPOY award. He averaged 16.4ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.6spg and 1.7bpg - numbers that put himself in the top echelon of players the NBL has to offer.

“Last season was just so enjoyable and I definitely want to be a part of what Bevo and the club are building towards,” Ogilvy explained.

“I truly believe this club can achieve great things in the not too distant future.”

Ogilvy is the first Hawk signing for the 2016/17 NBL season.