Adris Deleon arrives with a New York street handle that he intends to live up to. Picture: ROBERT PEET
MERC, SPORT, HAWKSPic taken 13th September 2012 of new Hawks import Adris Deleon at the Snakepit.Pic Robert Peet, Story Tim Keeble
MERC, SPORT, HAWKSPic taken 13th September 2012 of new Hawks import Adris Deleon at the Snakepit.Pic Robert Peet, Story Tim Keeble
HE recently grabbed the attention of NBA superstars Lebron James and Kevin Durant and is here to lead the Wollongong Hawks to an NBL championship.
New York playground dynamo Adris Deleon arrived in Wollongong yesterday to begin his one-year tenure with the Hawks.
"I don't know what (Hawks coach) Gordie's (McLeod) got going on, but he's seen me play and he knows the type of player I am in this league and how I play," Deleon said.
"He probably knows what he needs so that's why he brought me in. I'm happy to be here. It seems like this team's got a lot of shooters so they need somebody to drive the ball and kick. I'm looking forward to doing that."
Deleon averaged more than 16 points per game last season with the Gold Coast Blaze and will line up as Wollongong's starting point guard in 2012-13.
Like all good New York City basketballers, the 28-year-old has earned a flashy nickname.
But when you're known as '2hard2guard', it's not always easy to live up to the hype.
Deleon knows his moniker raises eyebrows and doesn't shy away from the challenge of doing it justice.
"I work hard in the gym. I work hard trying to improve my jump-shot, my handle, lay-ups, so when it comes to the game I can do all the little things because I practise so much."
Deleon's Wollongong teammates played the second of three trials against the Breakers last night in Dunedin.
The Hawks take on the NBL titleholders again tomorrow in Hamilton.
Deleon is expected to make his first appearance in Wollongong colours at the NBL pre-season tournament in Dandenong from September 20-23.