The Hidden Hawkhead v5 - 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 DENG

IF...

The South Sudanese born star continues to play the way he has the last few weeks...

THEN...

He may have finally found a permanent home in the NBL. Deng has bounced around the world since leaving Baylor in 2015 - playing pro ball in the US, Finland and Poland before stints with the Breakers and Kings in the NBL. But it seems he's only now starting to realise his potential under coach Brian Goorjian. His season averages may not be as gaudy as some of his teammates (6-points a contest at 39% from the field and 3.5 rebounds a game) but in his last four he's had 34 points, 15 boards, seven assists and seven steals at 40% shooting. The coach even heaping praise on the first-year Hawk after the side's recent game against United, saying "he could be something special".

DENG ADEL

IF...

The quad injury Adel sustained in yesterday's loss to Melbourne United is serious...

THEN...

It would cap off one of the toughest and probably most forgettable seasons of basketball in Adel's young career. Adel arrived back in Australia after short stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets intent on proving to the world he belongs back in the NBA. Preseason games against the Perth Wildcats highlighted some of Adel's enormous potential, but sadly a quad issue shut him down on the eve of the season. Since then he seems to have struggled with rhythm, role and responsibility under coach Goorjian, but it hasn't been for lack of trying. Fingers crossed his latest injury isn't too serious, but perhaps it's a sign he's been struggling with this quad issue all along.

ISAAC WHITE

IF...

White doesn't get more run with Adel and Cam Bairstow potentially still missing from the team...

THEN...

The former Stanford shooting guard must be wondering if he'll get another opportunity in Hawks colours this season. White has had five DNP's on the bounce since last stepping foot on court against the Adelaide 36ers on April 3 - with his absence more or less corresponding with the return of injured teammate Dan Grida. The Hawks front office finds itself in an interesting position now that Grida is back, with their roster now swelling to 15 players, meaning someone may have to be let go. White has proven himself as a spot-up shooter and a capable defender in his limited opportunity so far this season, so fingers crossed he gets some more gametime over the next few games.

EMMETT NAAR

IF...

Naar can take a leaf out of SE Melbourne Phoenix backup Kyle Adnam's book...

THEN...

It could be the key to unlocking Illawarra's full offensive potential. Tyler Harvey has had a huge workload this season, with the American star the primary ball handler and number one offensive threat for the Hawks. But as the better teams (Wildcats, United) around the league clamp down on him and fellow splash brother Justinian Jessup, coach Goorjian needs Naar to step up and grab the minutes on offer at the one spot by the scruff of the neck. If Naar can carve out a 15-20 minute role per night taking care of the ball and running the offence, it will allow the likes of Harvey and Jessup to find more freedom and make the Hawks more unpredictable.