However, Wollongong threw the well-travelled back-up a lifeline when McKee was sidelined with stress fractures in his back.

"How long since I'd played a real game? A little while. A few of us guys in Sydney who played in the NBL last year put a team in the local comp," he said.

"There were some complaints and we got kicked out - we were too good for the local comp and we couldn't get a run in the NBL. We had to go find a court and play by ourselves on Saturdays."

Martin was preparing to return to the New Zealand national league when Hawks mentor Gordie McLeod, who coached him at West Sydney and with the Wellington Saints, came calling.

"Preseason training was going to start on January 1, but January 4 I was down here," Martin said.

"I'm familiar with his (McLeod's) systems and thought processes and I suppose it was a good fit."

Although Townsville and Adelaide also sent out feelers, Martin opted to reunite with McLeod to ensure a smooth transition back into the league.

"At this stage of the season being familiar with Gordie's style of play really helped," Martin said.

"I can't really imagine joining a team past the half-way point and being able to fit in as well as I could here.

"With (Townsville point guard) Kelvin Robertson getting injured there was some interest there, Adelaide was also a possibility when Nathan Herbert got hurt, they placed a call to see if I was in decent shape."

Martin has logged minutes in both games since joining the Hawks, but admitted he wasn't quite up to speed yet.

"Probably not where I want to be yet; I'm blowing a bit heavy but I think I'll be OK after these first couple of weeks. I kept myself in shape during the time off," Martin said.