Matt Hurt is acutely aware a standout NBL finals series could be his springboard back into the NBA as an ever-increasing number of scouts cast eyes over the Australian competition.
But South East Melbourne's star import and leading scorer first needs to rediscover his shooting touch as he focuses on the best-of-three NBL Playoffs series against top seeds Illawarra.
"I'm just trying to find my jumper again," Hurt told AAP ahead of Friday night's series opener.
"I feel like I haven't really been making a lot of outside shots in the last month or so.
"So I'm trying to lock in on my jump shot and hopefully I can knock them down against the Hawks.
"If it does (go down), I'm going to celebrate."
Hurt, who played eight NBA games during a brief stint with the Memphis Grizzlies last season, has relished the opportunity to be the main man in his first NBL campaign.
The 24-year-old All-NBL First Team member is a top-five scorer, leading the Phoenix with 20.4 points per game, and was a top-three finalist for the league's MVP award.
"This is probably one of the most slept-on leagues in the world," Hurt said.
"There's a lot of talented guys that could be playing in the NBA right now. Every team has a star player."
Hurt is crucial to South East Melbourne's chances of upsetting a talent-stacked Illawarra team, led by coach of the year Justin Tatum and gun imports Trey Kell and Tyler Harvey.
Kell and Harvey were both named in the All-NBL First Team alongside Hurt, while Sam Froling was picked in the Second Team.
"They're probably one of the best benches and they have three guys that are all-NBL," Hurt said.
"I'm just excited about playing the best of the best. It doesn't get better than that.
"You're playing against the best competition in the league.
"I'm excited about the match-ups and excited for the opportunity and hopefully we come out with the win."
South East Melbourne will start as underdogs against Illawarra but have been one of the competition's hottest teams through the back half of the season.
The Phoenix recovered from an 0-5 start to the campaign, which led to Mike Kelly's departure as coach, and have thrived under new coach Josh King.
They have also beaten the Hawks in their last two meetings, including one on the road.
"I'm as confident as anybody in this league but the regular season doesn't matter now," Hurt said.
"We've had success against the Hawks this year but that goes out the window and we just have to take it game by game.
"We've got to focus on the WIN Entertainment Centre on Friday night and approach those 40 minutes like it's a do or die game."
South East Melbourne could be bolstered by the return of star point-guard Derrick Walton Jnr from a hamstring injury, which has sidelined him for the last six weeks.
"We had a little bit of him here and there during the season but you can't take a guy like that away," Hurt said.
"He's been a champion in this league and MVP in the grand final series.
"If he does play, he's really going to help us. I'm excited for that."
