The Fast Break feat. Max Darling and Akoldah Gak

Max Darling on his journey to the Hawks...

I started basketball when I was 11 playing in Nelson, New Zealand. My mum forced me to go and I didn't want to play. I remember I made the B team in my first year and slowly moved up from there. For my final year of high school I moved to Christchurch and played under Mark Dickel and that's when I really started to love basketball. I played two season there before I then went to Croatia for two years and now I'm here.

On the bench role he has assumed this season and Brian Goorjian's influence...

It was kind of a challenge for me at the beginning because I'm used to playing. But I've shifted my mindset and know that now I've just gotta play my role when I come off the bench. I'm just trying to get as many touches as I can and work on getting more minutes. I'm trying to bring a lot of noise, a lot of energy and hopefully when I'm on the court I'll show out and just do what I do.

Goorj is a great coach and he's really lived up to all the hype. I guess with this team noone really knew what to expect this season. I wasn't around last year, not many of us were, so with a new team and new coaching staff it seems like Goorj has really turned things around and I think Hawks fans have to be happier with the way the team is going.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Max Darling throwing it in spin cycle ???<a href="https://twitter.com/itsmaxdarling?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@itsmaxdarling</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IllawarraProud?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IllawarraProud</a> <a href="https://t.co/6W5Jb2ALFZ">pic.twitter.com/6W5Jb2ALFZ</a></p>&mdash; Illawarra Hawks Basketball (@illawarrahawks) <a href="https://twitter.com/illawarrahawks/status/1338805614307229696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

On trying to crack back into the NZ Tall Blacks Olympic squad...

Since i was about 14 I've had hopes and dreams of playing for the national team and going to the Olympics. I went to my first Tall Blacks camp when I was 15 and that was a crazy experience for me and I just want them to give me another chance to see how much I've improved and get that spot back. 

On the ever-changing state of the NBL season and living abroad...

It's been a bit strange compared to normal seasons. I think the travel's been good and it's helped us as a team. We have spent lot of time together, we're good friends on and off the court and the chemistry continues to build.

As for living outside NZ, I've been away from home for a long time but it definitely gets hard sometimes. I mean two years in Croatia and moving to Christchurch when I was 15 kind of gets you used to being on the road but it's never easy being away from home for so long. I miss having my siblings around and them bugging me and causing trouble.

Akoldah Gak on his background and path to the NBL...

I'm of South Sudanese heritage but was born and raised in Sydney. My older brothers played and I started playing as a kid so I've been playing since I was 5. I started playing in the Penrith area and represented NSW in a few junior state teams before going to play at Blair Academy in New Jersey, USA. With everything going on over there right now we thought it would be a good chance to come home and develop here.

On his development role this season...

I'm around the best of the best, the best coaches, the best players. I mean it's just a big learning experience for me everyday against the best dudes basically. I need to get stronger physically, improve my jump shot and just become a smarter player - IQ wise. And I just want to learn the game. I'm 18 at the end of the day so my best years are still ahead of me. 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="in" dir="ltr">6’11 Akoldah “AK” Gak Junior year highlights <a href="https://twitter.com/akoldah?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@akoldah</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachMantegna?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachMantegna</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PSACardinals?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PSACardinals</a> <a href="https://t.co/x7PzB2wyQ1">https://t.co/x7PzB2wyQ1</a></p>&mdash; Coach DeJesus (@JDEJESUS33) <a href="https://twitter.com/JDEJESUS33/status/1248976495088893954?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

On his biggest influences and supporters...

My brothers mostly, dudes on the team, especially the South Sudanese guys. My mum as well is my biggest mentor. On the court I try watch DA [Deng Adel, Justin Simon, Tyler Harvey - dudes who played in the NBA. Deng Deng as well, he has been in the NBL for a long time. They're all just my big bros, everyone on the team teaches me and I learn from them all everyday. 

On the best young players in the NBL and what he gets up to in his spare time...

I've definitely started to watch the youth in the NBL more since I joined the Hawks. Josh Giddey is my guy, I played against him when I was younger. Mo [Mojave] King is another one doing good things, all them dudes are going great.

I like to play video games and I like to draw. My favourite game is definitely NBA2K, thats my game right there. I used to play as myself and build my career up but now I'm just playing with whoever and having fun.