The 19-year-old has spent the past two seasons playing professionally in Croatia after bypassing the college route, and represented New Zealand at last year's FIBA U19 World Cup.

He was averaging a healthy 10.2 points and 5.4 rebounds in 28.4 minutes a game for KK Vrijednosnice Osijek in the HT Premijer liga before the season was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hawks coach Brian Goorjian feels the explosive big has NBA potential, hoping a stint in Wollongong can propel him on that trajectory.

"Max is one of the top prospects coming out of New Zealand," Goorjian said.

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"At just 19 years old he has already represented the country at international tournaments and has made a name for himself at a professional level.

"His high energy style of play will make him a fan favourite amongst Hawks fans and it adds another dimension to our roster.

"Max has aspirations of making the NBA in the future and believes the Hawks will help him on that journey, which is a great endorsement of the club and its exciting new direction."

In what's been a unanimous theme among Hawks recruits, Darling said the chance to work under Goorjian was instrumental in bringing him to Wollongong.

"I really can't wait. I know some of the boys there and I'm really excited to get over," Darling said.

"I've always wanted to play in the NBL and this is the greatest opportunity for me to do so.

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"I've heard [Goorjian] is an amazing coach and I can't wait to get to work.

"I'm happy to do whatever they need from me.

"With the great coaching and the team we are going to have here, it is amazing, so I'm going to make the most of my opportunity, work hard and see where it takes me."

Darling joins Emmett Naar, Deng Deng, Dan Grida, Deng Adel, Sam Froling, Isaac White, Tyler Harvey and Cam Bairstow on the Hawks' roster.