After one year with the Brisbane Bullets, Illawarra Hawks recruit Deng Deng is excited to return to a place that 'showed him so much love' during his first stop.
The 30-year-old's return to Wollongong was announced on Wednesday, marking the Hawks' second signing of the NBL free agency after Wani Swaka Lo Buluk.
"It's great to be back and it was an easy decision to re-join the Hawks - honestly with the outpouring I've received the past few days, it's felt like I've never left," Deng said.
"I felt really comfortable last time I was in Wollongong, thanks to the amazing staff, players and fans and I can't wait to get back there and start working with them all.
"Wollongong is a place I made some great memories, grew as a player and person and honestly feel it's the best place for me to be at this stage of my career."
As the South Sudanese-born forward alludes to, he believes he played his best basketball to date in the Hawks' system and is confident he can build on that in NBL23 under head coach Jacob Jackomas.
"I feel really comfortable working with Jacob, who's had a big impact on me both on and off the court," he said.
"Over the years, we've had lots of conversations about helping me become the player I am today - especially in terms of mindset if I had a bad game, as he was someone I leant on and spoke to about it.
"On the court, we've spent countless hours in the gym together, where he's reiterated how important it is for me to be consistent each time I step on the court.
"That continuity with each other and trust is massive, as we both know I can play numerous positions and impact the game in many ways, to give us the best chance of winning."
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It's not just Jackomas who Deng is familiar with, having already played alongside Tyler Harvey, Sam Froling, Daniel Grida and Akoldah Gak during his previous stint with the Wollongong-based club.
"The fact I've played with so many guys there already will make my transition back very easy - especially as we all know the style of play and what each other's strengths are," the former Baylor Bear said.
"Across the board, we've got plenty of exciting, versatile players who are hungry to prove themselves and prioritise defence first.
"The squad was already so strong in that aspect last year and then you add in pieces such as Dan [Grida], Wani [Swaka Lo Buluk] and myself, it's going to be really tough for teams to score on us.
"Everyone on our squad thus far matches those traits and are an extension of the character Jacob brings to the table.
"I know there are still a couple of pieces to be added to our group but there's no reason why we can't be thinking championship with the squad we've assembled thus far, spearheaded by key players such as Tyler [Harvey] and Sam [Froling]."
