BASKETBALL
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Off-season recruits AJ Ogilvy and Kevin White didn't have to travel too far when they joined the Illawarra Hawks.
While some of their new teammates have relocated from the other side of Australia and overseas, Ogilvy and White only had to make the short trip from Sydney.
"I grew up playing in the NSW Metro-NSW Country rivalry, so I know a lot of people down here and spent plenty of time in the Wollongong area playing junior basketball, playing against guys like [Hawks teammate] Tyson [Demos]," White said.
A Manly junior, White spent the previous five seasons with the Sydney Kings.
Ogilvy also grew up in Sydney and was a teammate of White's at the Kings in the 2013-14 season.
After an injury-plagued season with his Spanish team last year, the 211-centimetre centre is glad to be back in the NBL. Reuniting with Illawarra coach and long-time family friend Rob Beveridge was a bonus.
"I wanted to play in the NBL and the Hawks was one of the better opportunities, and once Bevo was on board it definitely made me more interested," Ogilvy said.
"He coached me for two years in the under-20 national championships and he's good friends with my parents.."
Ogilvy and White are two of the five new faces on the Illawarra playing roster.
With Cody Ellis joining the club earlier this week, Beveridge has three-ex-Kings on board.
Ogilvy is moving freely at training and has overcome the problems he was having with his feet.
"They feel fine now.
"I came back in March and 'rehabbed' for two or three months to make sure they were right for the start of the season. The way I re-habbed and aligned myself to be ready for the season was perfect," he said.
A defensive-minded guard, White likes the Hawks' prospects in the 2015-16 season.
He is looking forward to seeing the Hawks v Kings rivalry from the other side of the fence.
"It's exciting because I know the area and I know what the rivalry's like," the 28-year-old said. "We still have to add Kirk [Penney], which is a massive piece for us. Everyone's getting along really well and everyone's buying into what Bevo's preaching."
