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The Wollongong-based Hawks have signed former NBA player Deng Adel for the next NBL season.

New coach Brian Goorjian has helped The Hawks secure a major recruitment coup, signing former Cleveland Cavaliers forward Deng Adel for the next NBL season.

The Wollongong-based Hawks beat off a number of rival teams to secure the 23-year-old, who is looking for a route back to the NBA.

Luring Goorjian, a six-time NBL championship coach, back from China has already proved a great move for the Hawks' new owners as they assemble their roster from scratch, with reports also linking Cameron Bairstow to the club.

Adel, a 201cm small forward who played 19 games for the Cavaliers in 2018-19, was most recently with G League team Long Island Nets.

South Sudan born and Melbourne raised, Adel said playing under Goorjian attracted him.

"It was a big factor," said Adel.

"I'm trying to develop my game and I want to grow every year and I think the resume that he has speaks for itself.

"I want to be in that type of environment where I can work every day and be challenged by the coach and a coach that is willing to put himself out there for the betterment of the players."

He joins Emmett Naar, Deng Deng, Dan Grida and Sam Froling on The Hawks roster.

Goorjian saw Adel as a crucial signing for the foundation club as it looks to rebuild.

"Deng is an NBA-level talent and at just 23-years-old, he holds aspirations to make the NBA again," said Goorjian.

"The fact he has put his trust and faith in The Hawks' program to help him on that journey is a great endorsement of the organisation and its direction under new ownership.

"On the court Deng is going to help tremendously as we construct a roster that will help establish a winning culture for the club."