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ALEKS Maric isn't ready yet to "still call Australia" his (basketball) home but while negotiations with Illawarra have closed - for 2015-16 - the Hawks have signed Cody Ellis.

Maric, 30 and 211cm, still has cache in Europe so while that door has closed for Illawarra - temporarily but watch for this again down the track - another has opened with Ellis.

The 25-year-old, 203cm free agent now will jump onto the other side of one of the NBL's longest-running feuds, leaving Sydney Kings to join their arch rivals.

Originally expected to return from college in the US to play for Perth - where his father Mike is a justified legend - Ellis (pictured below) stunned the league by joining the Kings mid-season in 2013-14.

In 44 games with Sydney, he averaged 5.1 points at 37 per cent and 3.1 rebounds.

They're not earth-shattering numbers but Ellis' game will better be suited to Illawarra's style under Rob Beveridge.

All the Hawks - except Kirk Penney - are expected to report for duty on Monday when their first preseason under Beveridge begins.

Penney is back in the US, finishing his degree.

Elsewhere, Torrey Craig has been confirmed by Cairns for a sophomore NBL season.

Online

Mikayla Pirini signs with Lightning: http://bit.ly/1gOgBE1