Dominique Cooks re-signs with Hawks

The Wollongong Hawks have finalised their team for the 2014-15 NBL season with the re-signing of free agent guard Dominique Cooks.

A former Illawarra and NSW junior representative, Cooks becomes Illawarra's 10th player on the roster.

The 25-year-old was one of four guards trialling for the final spot and is elated to be back for a second season after his rookie campaign was cut short by a knee injury.

"It's been a pretty long off-season with the uncertainty, and coming back from injury has been challenging at times, so it feels pretty rewarding to get to the end and finally earn that spot," Cooks said.

"I'm feeling good, totally healthy. I'm probably feeling faster and stronger than I ever have. I'm excited about the season ahead. We've got a really strong team this year and it should be a good year all-round."

Cooks spent four years playing college basketball in America before joining the Hawks last year.

He was making steady progress as a rookie before undergoing surgery in December to overcome a persistent knee injury.

"Obviously not playing wasn't ideal, but I still felt like I learned a lot last year," he said.

"Just being around the group and being around the coaches definitely helped me. Hopefully I can use some of the things I learnt and it helps me on the court this year."

Cooks will play a back-up role off the bench to starting guards Jahii Carson and Gary Ervin.

He enjoys learning from the talented American duo and also picks up tips from shooting guard Tyson Demos, a fellow former Illawarra junior.

"Gary's a former MVP and Jahii just missed out getting drafted [into the NBA], and Tyson's been in the league for seven or eight years now, so it's a good challenge for me to go against that type of talent every day and it's definitely helping me a lot," Cooks said.

Cooks has played for the Hawks in two preseason wins and will line up in Saturday's trial against the Sydney Kings at Moss Vale.

"It'll be good for us to go up there and play against an NBL team and I'm sure the physicality level will go up, and when that goes up it always puts more pressure on your offensive and defensive execution," Hawks coach Gordie McLeod said.

"A number of people from the Southern Highlands come down to watch our games, so it's good for us and our development as a team."