Round one

Friday, October10

WOLLONGONG v TOWNSVILLE (7.30pm)

WIN Entertainment Centre

Former Australian Boomers centre Luke Nevill swears his surprise return to the NBL is not about showing up his critics.

Nevill officially joined the Wollongong Hawks on Monday and will make his debut for the club in next Friday's first-round game against Townsville at WIN Entertainment Centre.

"I'm definitely looking forward to it," he said.

"It's a good situation here."

Standing 2.18 metres tall and weighing 122 kilograms, Perth-born Nevill is the biggest player to ever wear a Hawks uniform. The 28-year-old was a rookie with Melbourne in 2010-11 before playing the next two years with Perth and Townsville. After spending the past season in the Taiwanese national league, he played State League basketball in Perth before moving back to Los Angeles with his American wife.

Hawks owner James Spenceley heard Nevill was available and offered him a contract.

"I was just working out by myself in LA and staying in shape and I'd just got an offer overseas, but then my agent let me know the Hawks were interested as well, so it was short notice, but definitely a good opportunity," Nevill said.

"I don't have anything to prove to anyone else. I just want to prove to myself that I can better my performances of previous years, and given the opportunity, I definitely want to come back and make a statement."

A back-up centre with the Boomers in last year's 2-0 Oceania series sweep of New Zealand, Nevill believes he is at or close to the peak of his powers.

"I would definitely consider this my prime," he said.

"Big guys usually develop a little bit later than guards, so I think I've come into my own and it should be a good year.

"I've gained a little bit of weight, which is good," Nevill said.

"Fitness-wise, I like where I'm at right now. Obviously, there's a lot of up and down [running] with the Hawks' system, so I'll definitely get better as the year progresses."

Nevill has been reunited with Hawks import and former Townsville teammate Gary Ervin.

"I know the NBL reasonably well and it's good to be back," he said.

"I've played against a lot of the boys and I played with Gary at Townsville, so we have a bit of chemistry. I worked with [Hawks coach] Gordie [McLeod] a little bit when he was an assistant coach with the Boomers. I liked him then and I've enjoyed the last few days training under him."

The Hawks are excited about having Nevill.

"He's definitely an imposing force," forward Dave Gruber said.

"We have to get him up to speed and on the same page with the group, and find the best way to use him," he said.