He once moved within striking distance of becoming a 36ers player. Now, Hawks guard Isaac White plans to haunt Adelaide for that missed opportunity when he returns to his beloved hometown on Sunday.
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Illawarra will be keen to tip-off their new NBL campaign on the right foot when they take on the pre-season premiers, with White also hoping to impress in front of his friends and family.
The 23-year-old is no stranger to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, having mustered 16 points and four rebounds in Illawarra's 81-73 victory over the 36ers last season. White hopes he can replicate that impact this weekend in South Australia.
"It must be an Adelaide thing, I have a certain comfort level over there. Hopefully I can back it up and make it a regular occurrence," White told the Mercury.
"I grew up going for the 36ers, though I didn't follow the NBL as closely as I did the AFL, because I played AFL growing up. But I did go to a couple of games and had a 36ers jersey when I was little. And when I was 16 or 17, I was a training player with the Sixers. So I definitely have a familiarity with their team and their program, so it's cool to come in play against that at the top level.
"I always like giving them a beat-down, and we've given them a couple. So I'm pumped for the challenge."
While it is an away game, the Hawks can expect to hear plenty of 'Illawarra' chants on Sunday. White's loved ones will be at the game in numbers and won't be afraid to show their support.
"I've just about used every ticket that the team was given to get my friends and family involved. And I think a couple of more are going to buy some, so I expect at least half of the attendance to be going for the Hawks," he said.
"It's an ideal way to start the season. I've been meaning to see my family for some time, obviously having been locked in with the COVID situation. But I also love playing in Adelaide because they always get a good crowd and they're a pretty good team this year. It's definitely a good test to start us off."
White is set for his second campaign in a Hawks jersey. After re-signing with the club in July, he is keen to build on a solid debut season, where he gained a reputation as a sharp-shooter off the bench.
It was a role that the former Stanford Cardinal enjoyed, but White remains equally happy to fill whatever role that Brian Goorjian needs.
"We haven't really sat down and had a face-to-face chat about my role, but I assume it's going to change from game to game. I know what my strengths are and Goorj encourages me to play to them," White said.
"Every player wants to start and if I got that opportunity, I'd take it with both hands. But I do try and embrace that role of being the firecracker off the bench. I think it's kind of exciting, especially when the team is rolling, to jump into the game and provide a boost. Limited opportunity or not, I want to make sure I'm that spark off the bench and bring some energy."
I always like giving them a beat-down, and we've given them a couple. So I'm pumped for the challenge.
- - Isaac White
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Joshua Bartlett
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
