Dent has made 16 NBL appearances and was averaging a handy 17 points in four Waratah League outings before things were placed on hold.

Hawks president and Co-Owner, Dorry Kordahi, said Dent's signature was a top priority in free agency.

"Firstly, it's great to have strong, local talent in our basketball program," Kordahi said.

"Lachie is a wonderful young player who we want to continue to develop and nurture. He's also a great testament to the strong basketball pathway the Illawarra Basketball Association has created in the region.

"Lachie should be an emerging hero for every local kid in the region that wants to play in the NBL. The Hawks want to continue to cultivate local talent and work with our local associations to find the next star of this area to one day wear an Illawarra Hawks jersey."

Read more: Illawarra aim to make Wollongong the last stop on Goorjian's coaching journey

Coach Brian Goorjian said Dent will have a wonderful role model to learn off in the recently re-signed Tyler Harvey, who'll make Wollongong home for the next three seasons.

"Lachie is a kid who has had to work hard and grind his way onto an NBL roster," Goorjian said.

"I appreciate that, I want those qualities in my players and I'm sure the region loves the way he goes about his basketball.

"He is an energetic young guard who is still learning a lot about himself and the game and now he'll get another season to develop under someone like Tyler so this is a great signing for the club."

Dent joins Harvey, Sam Froling, Emmett Naar, Akoldah Gak, Isaac White, Dan Grida and Max Darling on the Illawarra Hawks roster for next season.