Taking on the team that axed him in acrimonious circumstances on January 15, Ubaka was outstanding in the Hawks' 22-point thrashing of Melbourne on Friday.

The California-born guard played 22 minutes off the bench, tallying 15 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Wollongong fans clearly liked what they saw and are hoping the Hawks move quickly to sign Ubaka for the 2012-13 season.

"It was pretty weird, being with those guys last week and then having to play against them," Ubaka said of battling his former Tigers team-mates.

The Hawks were blessed with talented American guards Tywain McKee and Gary Ervin in the previous two seasons.

But their luck changed this season. Donovan Monroe was sacked a month before the first game, while Showron Glover played 11 games with Wollongong before departing a fortnight ago.

When Ubaka was controversially cut by the Tigers after a home loss to Gold Coast, the Hawks immediately swooped.

A play-off berth remains a long shot for last-placed Wollongong (5-13) with 10 games to play, but stranger things have happened.

Melbourne's loss to the Hawks was their sixth straight and the Tigers' free-fall down the ladder doesn't look like stopping any time soon.

"They're under a lot of pressure from the owner right now and that's not a comfortable situation for anybody - coaches or the players," Ubaka said.

"I feel sorry for the guys because they're friends of mine, and they have to play under that pressure. Nobody should have to play under that pressure.

"As a professional, you have to keep going. Things like that are going to happen, and when you step on the court, you have to forget about it. You ... go out and play and keep pushing."

Amazingly, Ubaka will line up against another former team when the Hawks meet Gold Coast on the road on Saturday night.

"It's not about me," Ubaka said.

"I just wanted to come in and fit in. I barely knew any plays and the guys helped me through it. I just wanted to help the team win. It's not about me against the Melbourne Tigers. We played a great game. We held them to 68 points and won by 22. That's the story right there.

"I'm just happy I'm here now."

The Hawks and their fans hope Ubaka will be "here" for quite a while.