He's already won over the Illawarra faithful, but Hawks star LaMelo Ball has shown the feeling is mutual with the NBA Draft aspirant pledging a month of his salary to fire fighting efforts on the South Coast.
With South Coast communities still counting the toll of horrendous bushfires that have prompted the state government to declare a state of emergency, Ball said it was the least he could do.
"It's sad to see what is happening on the South Coast of Australia," Ball said in a statement.
"People have lost their homes and everything they own. My parents taught me to help out wherever I can, so this is my way of helping out."
Friday's gesture comes a day before the Hawks take on Melbourne United at the WEC, with Ball edging closer to a return from injury.
The club will partner with the Illawarra Mercury, in raising funds for the Salvation Army Disaster Appeal which is also helping victims of Australia's bushfires.