Gak to continue stellar form against former side?

Friday, January 19, 2024

Akoldah Gak is hoping to replicate his career-best performance last week in this week's clash with the Illawarra Hawks.

With Sam Waardenburg sidelined through concussion, Akoldah Gak experienced a breakout game for Cairns in the Taipans' Round 15 win over Adelaide, but he hasn't steered away from his main goal - helping his side secure a place in the NBL's top six.

Gak registered his first career double-double to earn a Chemist Warehouse Fans MVP nomination for his performance against the 36ers, where he was trusted to play a crucial role for the team with a season-high 28 minutes.

The 21-year-old has been forced to be patient for his NBL opportunity following his impressive NBLxNBA tour earlier this season, and says he needs to just keep putting his head down and going to work.

"I’m not trying to get too high on myself," Gak said. "I need to keep level-headed, keep building on my performance, carrying that momentum.

"It’s good for my confidence, it showed the hard work I’ve been doing.

"[I] hope to carry this momentum into the next couple of games and make the top six."

The timing of Gak's breakout performance couldn't have come any better, not only because the Taipans are continuing to contend with injury and availability issues, but because they next clash with Gak's former side Illawarra.

Gak was signed to the Hawks as an 18-year-old and made 25 appearances across his three seasons in Illawarra. He also represented the Chicago Bulls at the NBA Summer League while a member of the Hawks.

"It's my old team, so I have a little something," Gak continued.

"(I have to) trust in the ability, trust in my work, his work, and enjoying it every day.

"Being assertive, using my athleticism, using my length and jumping ability being an alley-oop threat. So really using that and excelling to the best of my ability.

"Sam (Froling) is great big, don’t get me wrong, but I feel like we have the talent and athleticism to match up with him. It should be a good battle."

Tip-off between the Taipans and Hawks is 7:30pm AEDT tonight at the WIN Entertainment Centre, the game will be broadcast live on ESPN via Kayo.