BASKETBALL
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The Wollongong Hawks have to wait a week before finding out how long they will be without injured centre Larry Davidson.
Davidson's left knee "locked up" after a weights session last Friday and he hoped to learn the extent of the damage on Tuesday.
But Wollongong coach Gordie McLeod said the Sydney-based knee surgeon who spoke to Davidson was unable to give him a definitive recovery time frame.
"He'll have an arthroscope next Wednesday," McLeod said.
"There needs to be some work done, but how much we won't really know until he goes in and has a look. There's some things that need to be tidied up and sorted out."
Wollongong have seven players under contract for the 2014-15 season and are close to announcing the re-signing of guard Tyson Demos.
McLeod has been looking for an import guard to replace Rhys Martin, who wants to take advantage of his Irish bloodlines and further his career in Europe.
But Davidson's injury might force the Hawks to acquire two Australian guards and sign an American centre or forward to beef up the frontcourt rotation.
McLeod insisted the length of Davidson's absence would not impact upon his recruiting priorities as he adds the final pieces to the playing roster.
"It's not going to change that area of things," McLeod, the 2013-14 NBL Coach of the Year said.
His recruiting conundrum would be all but resolved if Martin had a change of heart and stayed with the Hawks.
But McLeod said the 28-year-old playmaker had not changed his mind.
"Rhys is looking to play overseas," he said.
Wollongong recently re-acquired American guard Gary Ervin, who starred with the club in 2010-11 and captured NBL MVP honours.
McLeod said the Hawks had not narrowed down a list of choices for second imports.
"Not as yet," he said.
"We're working through that process but we're not at that stage where we're real close with anyone. It's a work in progress."
The Hawks played their first preseason game last Sunday, beating the Eastern Kentucky University team 106-99 in overtime at the Snakepit.
Wollongong's next trial is against the Sydney Kings next month at Moss Vale.