Gak Ready to Soar to Goorjian’s NBA Prediction

Illawarra Hawks youngster Akoldah Gak is ready to deliver on coach Brian Goorjian’s prediction that the 19-year-old is a future NBA prospect.

Goorjian has been vocal about his belief that Gak has the talent to make an NBA leap and there is no better place to do that than the NBL.

The league has evolved into a legitimate NBA pathway with the likes of Josh Giddey, Jock Landale, Jae’Sean Tate and LaMelo Ball using the NBL to elevate their NBA stocks.

Entering his first season on a fully rostered contract, Gak isn’t shying away from Goorjian’s big outlook for his future.

"Goorj saying that just makes me want to go out there and work 10 times harder to prove him right, and myself right too," Gak said, via the Illawarra Mercury.

"I feel like we're seeing the Next Stars program helping a lot of younger kids come in, make a statement and go to the next level straight away. We saw it with LaMelo, Josh Giddey. It's helping the NBL grow and helping kids get to the NBA sooner.

"I look at Sam (Froling) and he made a great jump last season. His first year with the Hawks he was hurt and on and off the court, but his last season he played great and it's definitely the type of jump I'm trying to make.

"I'm confident in my game and I'm confident it's something I can do this season."

The Hawks had a magical run to the semi-finals last season and Gak has made no qualms about what the squad’s expectation is this season.

"The title's definitely what we're chasing," Gak said.

"I thought last year we were right there to win the chip. We were up 1-0 playing at home so we gave ourselves a great opportunity to get to the finals and win.

"We bounced back well from the year before where (the team) won five games all year. We made a really good bounce back and we can go even further this year. The title is definitely where all our mindsets are at."