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EXPECT the Wollongong Hawks to shortly name naturalised forward Adam Ballinger in their revamped 2014-15 NBL lineup.

Released by a re-imagined Melbourne with a year to run on his contract, Balls, 35 and 205cm, was a starter with the Hawks’ 2004-05 Grand Finalist after opening his NBL career with Victoria Giants in 2003-04.

He played with Wollongong until 2007 when he joined Adelaide 36ers, becoming a four-time club MVP in the city of churches.

Recruited by Melbourne, he spent two seasons with the Tigers, playing 56 games and averaging 8.2ppg in a role off the bench.

An All Star Five selection in 2008, Ballinger won an NCAA Championship in 2000 with Michigan State.

Taking out Australian citizenship five years ago, Ballinger made it into the Boomers squad that year.

He debuted for Victoria against Brisbane Bullets at MSAC in October, 2003 with 24 points.

In his second game, he shot 40 against Cairns, his career-high a 46-point haul during his time with Adelaide.

A member of the NBL’s fairly exclusive and elusive 300-game/5000-points club, the former 36ers captain will join Oscar Forman, Tim Coenraad, Larry Davidson, Brad Hill and David Gruber as confirmed Hawks, with more announcements on the way.

His presence and experience will boost what has sometimes appeared a light frontcourt for Wollongong.

Even while used sparingly at the Tigers, Balls still showed an ability to win games, his jumpshot and 3-pointer remaining a thing of copybook beauty.