Lamelo Ball is set to be handed even more responsibility in his maiden NBL season for struggling Illawarra after a season-ending injury to veteran guard Aaron Brooks.
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Hawks coach Matt Flinn will meanwhile work his NBA contacts to find a replacement for the former Houston Rocket who tore his achilles in a crushing blow for the 1-6 side ahead of Sunday's meeting with Brisbane.
Rather than a like-for-like stand-in, the Hawks are toying with the idea of recruiting a small forward and allowing No.1 NBA draft prospect Ball to take control of the backcourt.
"At least in the short term he'll have more responsibility, as will (Australian guard) Emmett Narr," Flinn told AAP.
"We do need some more scoring in the back court to take the pressure off but the NBL has changed in the last couple of years.
"Teams are playing smaller, so if we can get a (Brisbane Bullets swingman) Lamar Patterson type we'd go down that path.
"We've made some good networks and it's exciting. I've had six or seven NBA clubs reach out with options."
Ball's arrival in Wollongong has helped the club and league break attendance and viewership records, while his progress is being intensely followed in the US after his decision to skip college and play in Australia.
A stat line of 12.57 points, 5.71 assist and 6.43 rebounds in almost 30 minutes across seven games shows Ball's potential but a three-point percentage of 18 has led to criticism of the 18-year-old's shooting technique.
Flinn said tinkering with fundamentals during a season wasn't on but there were still ways to help him improve.
"You don't want him second-guessing his technique; you've got to play at an autonomous level so it's more about reps and self belief," Flinn said.
"When he feels comfortable and you give him direction, he's pretty coachable.
"It's about the scout, different stances, making reads and adjustments and recognising the time to use different styles of play."
Flinn said Brooks' defensive exploits would be missed just as much as his 17.9 points per game, while they would "squeeze all the talent" out of struggling import centre Josh Boone.
Australian Associated Press