The Hidden Hawkhead v2 - Who and what will be on their radar today?

Each week 'The Hidden Hawkhead' will dissect some of the biggest storylines coming out of the Illawarra Hawks. Who and what will be on their radar today?

DENG ADEL

IF...

The Hawks marquee signing has had an indifferent start to the season...

THEN...

Adel isn't showing any signs of it bothering him and coach Brian Goorjian isn't going to ever publicly complain about it. It's what makes this situation so fascinating. Adel has spoken candidly about his struggles this season and admits he is still adjusting to the different type of basketball in the NBL, but he also has the demeanour needed to overcome this blip in the road.

Goorjian has already spoken to Adel about what he wants from him this season - good decision making, defensive intensity and to be an extra ball handler when required. The beauty of the situation is - it's a long season, Adel has NBA experience and is a current member of the cAustralia Boomers squad - meaning he definitely has what it takes to be a star in this league. It might just take some time.

AKOLDAH GAK

IF...

The hype on this young kid is real...

THEN...

Gak, or AK-47 as he's known, could be our next big Australian hope heading off to the NBA. Hawks fans haven't got much a glimpse of Gak in his rookie NBL season, but the seven-footer arrived in Wollongong ranked inside the top-100 high school basketball prospects in the world. 

We got a short glimpse of him late in the game against the Kings (where he slamed home his first NBL points) - and word is he's been lighting it up on the practice court. Australian junior teammate Josh Giddey may be getting all the attention for his outstanding play so far this season, but the ceiling for Gak could be even higher than that of the young 36er who is tipped to be selected in the first round of this year's NBA Draft.

TYLER HARVEY

IF...

The on court performance of Harvey wasn't enough to impress you this season...

THEN...

Make sure you take into account the fact he has been out in Australia for close to five months while his wife is still back in the U.S. waiting for an opportunity to get out to Australia. Harvey has been putting up eye-popping numbers so far this season (20.6 ppg at 44% from the field and 40% from deep) and he has been a constant force for the Hawks.

We all know the the United States has been dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic on an epic scale and it can't be easy to Harvey to put that to one side and focus on his basketball. Harvey's wife is apparently sitting and waiting for clearance to travel out to Australia - which makes his feats on the court all the more impressive and is a real sign of his strength and quality of character.

BRIAN GOORJIAN

IF...

Goorjian coaches for three more NBL seasons...

THEN...

He will likely surpass 1000 games as an NBL coach. Goorjian is 67 right now, so three more years would take him to the ripe old age of 70. He doesn't look like slowing down anytime soon and he has admitted this season has energised him like no other. The greatness of his recent 750 game achievement is perhaps best measured by the fact he has surpassed the great Lindsay Gaze (651) by almost 100 games.

You can't help but feel when Australian's discuss the Greatest coaches of all time in their respective sporting fields, Goorjian is sometimes forgotten. There is no doubt in my mind he should be mentioned in the same breath as Wayne Bennett, Jack Gibson, Alistair Clarkson, Leigh Matthews, Norma Plummer, Rod Macqueen, and Ric Charlesworth - and in a few more season he could have the astronomical figure of 1000 games added on to his resume.

JUSTINIAN JESSUP

IF...

The word on the street is correct...

THEN...

A Golden State Warriors representative will touch down in Australia this week to watch Jessup closely as the NBA franchise weighs up his future. Jessup was picked with the 51st pick in the 2020 NBA draft and was viewed as an attractive draft-and-stash option for the Warriors who were under a little bit of salary cap pressure after drafting number two pick James Wiseman to accompany the likes of big earners Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.

Jessup has impressed in his 16 NBL starts so far this season, averaging a shade under 15 points a game and shooting an absurd 47% from three. He's also tipped in a handful of assists and will have an important few months ahead of him now that Golden State eyes are firmly fixated on him.