For years, Illawarra Hawks fans have waited and hoped for an NBL championship-winning edge.
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Since the fabled title of 2001, the Hawks have come close on a number of occasions, with NBL MVP talent like guards Kevin Lisch and Rotnei Clarke.
The regional battlers have prided themselves on matching their cashed-up, highly-resourced rivals, even when Lisch went to Sydney and Perth snatched Nick Kay and Mitch Norton, among the more recent examples.
But has the tide turned, with the recruitment of elite big man Josh Boone, announced on Tuesday as a marquee signing for next season?
Boone was quick to declare his intention to bring an NBL title to Wollongong, after success with Melbourne United.
"I loved the two-and-a-half years I spent in Melbourne and playing for Melbourne United," he said.
"Winning a championship there goes down as one of the highlights of my career. But now I'm very much looking forward to relocating to Wollongong and joining the Illawarra Hawks family."
Boone won an NCAA Championship before being selected by the New Jersey Nets with the 23rd overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, spending four seasons in the league.
New coach Matt Flinn, who took over from Rob Beveridge after years as an assistant at the Hawks, declared Boone's ability is "elite".
"I'm super excited to have Josh on-board," he said.
"He has established himself as one of our league's elite rebounders and mobile defenders.
"He's a proven winner and his voice and experience will be invaluable to our playing group."
Boone signed a one-year deal and joins Australian big man AJ Ogilvy as the Hawks biggest rebounding assets, with David Andersen a possibility of returning for one more season after a decorated career.
The Hawks are still expected to sign another import player before the new season.
Boone joins Todd Blanchfield, Tim Coenraad, AJ Ogilvy, Daniel Grida, Emmett Naar, Angus Glover, Sunday Dech and Sam Froling on the Hawks roster.
It comes after owner Simon Stratford maintained his long-term commitment to the club last week.
"I've always said this not a short-term thing for me, this is a long-term plan," Stratford said.
"There's still a lot to do with setting mindsets in the right direction with where the business needs to go because, at the end of the day, it's got to be a business first.
"Every decision we make is business-driven towards the goals but I'm happy with where it's at."
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