He's a man many have speculated will end up in the starting five, but Hawks import Xavier Rathan-Mayes has declared his passion for the sixth-man role.
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The American has impressed in four games for Illawarra, playing a key role in Friday night's double overtime victory over New Zealand.
The Hawks have made a habit of slow starts this season, prompting coach Brian Goorjian to hint at possible lineup changes after Sunday's loss to Brisbane.
That could see Rathan-Mayes shift to the starting five for Thursday night's clash with South-East Melbourne at the WIN Entertainment Centre.
The 27-year-old said he would appreciate the challenge of firing from the opening tip, however, he's currently enjoying his role leading the team's second unit.
"I'm a no ego guy," Rathan-Mayes said. "Whatever it is that this team needs, I'm going to do. Coach has given me a big role coming off the bench, he's doing a great job communicating with me and these guys look up to me.
"My role starting, my role coming off the bench, it doesn't matter, because if you're looking at the games, a lof of the time I'm there at the finish.
"I'm happy where I am, I'm happy with the role I've been given. My guys trust me, my head coach trusts me, I'm in a good spot."
The past few months have been a whirlwind for Rathan-Mayes, the Canadian only signing with the club in October.
His pre-season was disrupted by two separate COVID scares that resulted in the Hawks playing just trial two matches.
Despite this, the guard is averaging 9.5 points a game and has been instrumental in Illawarra's efforts to take pressure off Tyler Harvey.
A North American talent with NBA experience at the Memphis Grizzlies, Rathan-Mayes acknowledges his best is still to come this summer and he's eager to continue growing under Goorjian's tutelage.
"There's a sense of freedom, a sense of happiness in knowing you don't have to look back to the bench every possession and see somebody that's going to be on you consistently.
"Coach has given me the rope to go out there and be able to do what I do, to play at a high level.
"For me, it's about taking another step and being better for this team.
"Defensively, that's being a guy that is really hectic on the ball and offensively it's being who I am and making sure I'm one of the engines for the team."
Goorjian finds himself in the tricky position of trying to manage minutes for a number of high-quality players.
That has seen emerging prospect Akoldah Gak receive limited playing time this season, Sunday's six minutes a season-high.
The 19-year-old has represented Australia at a junior level and Goorjian has previously touted him as a future NBA player.
Gak admits it's tough receiving limited playing time, but he's determined to be ready when his next opportunity arrives.
"This is my second year around the guys and coach," Gak said. "I'm learning a lot more, I feel like the game is slowing down and I'm understanding stuff a lot more.
"I'm just staying ready, I'm ready for him to call my name and just be patient. I prepare for every game like I'm about to play."