In 26 games, Tyler Harvey has almost literally scored a quarter of his team's points (518 out of 2222) and has made it matter in clutch moments for the Hawks.

The 27-year-old is in the top five NBL shooters in 2021, alongside the likes of Bryce Cotton and Nathan Sobey.

So what is it like to be Tyler Harvey? The key is to "just try live in the moment".

"I take it one day at a time, man. Honestly, I don't look too much into it," he said.

"I try to give what the game gives me and I'm doing everything I can to win these games.

"Every game for us is so important, so we know we need to give it our best shot every single time."

And as easily as he drains a classy three-pointer, Harvey is happy to shift the focus onto his teammates.

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The Hawks sit in fifth spot on the ladder heading into the final stretch before the playoffs.

Illawarra will play seven of their last eight games at the WEC, starting on Tuesday night against the 36ers.

"It's coming towards the end of the year so every game for us is a big one," Harvey said

"Think we've seen everybody, so we pretty much know what every team's about.

"They're a great team [Adelaide] so we know we're going to have a great game.

"We're doing well as a team, we're trying to make this playoff push.

"I'm just trying to do everything I can to help us get into that top four.

"We've got a lot of guys stepping up for us and we're hoping to finish strong.

"We're a young team but these guys are growing.

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"I've seen so much improvement from our young guys, from the first game until now.

"It's good to see them come into their own a bit as we head towards the back stretch."

While impressed with the Hawks youth, Harvey has been equally in awe of Illawarra's most experienced squad member: Brian Goorjian.

The sharpshooter has developed a great relationship with his coach since arriving in Wollongong.

"I've talked about 'Goorj' a lot, he is by far one of the best coaches I've ever played for," he said.

"I've been around him for six months now and I feel like I've known him my whole life.

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"He has this aura about him that makes you so comfortable approaching him: I can talk to him about anything.

"It's not just basketball, it's off the court stuff as well. Goorj is the man."

Harvey signed with the Hawks last July as their first import.

He had a reputation for scoring following a strong season for Memphis Hustle in the NBA G-League.

In 2021, Harvey has liked what he has seen in the NBL.

"It's probably one of the most physical leagues I've ever played in. The competition every night is something that you really have to prepare for," he said.

"I've had to find different ways to get creative out there because it's a battle every single night. There's no easy night in the NBL."

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