Former Hawks import Josh Pace is contemplating pursuing a career as basketball coach.
"I know that doesn't sound right with the idea of retirement," Pace said from Louisiana, not "pencilling out New Zealand" yet.
"I just think it's time for me to also pursue coaching, which is what I wanted to do from day one," said the 31-year-old from Georgia, accepting he couldn't play forever.
"I'm in season as we speak and my team [Shreveport-Bossier Mavericks ] will be completing for the ABA championship in the United States, so retirement isn't exactly here just yet.
"I'm still very good at what I do and I am still competing at a high level, this is preparation."
His agent, Nate McCray, of Michigan, had put the feelers out to 50 colleges to secure Pace a coaching stint.
McCray had only heard back from Memphis University coach Josh Pastner, and Abe Woldeslassie, of Davidson College, but nothing has transpired.
"We're at the beginning stages of this process so I have another 175 business contacts to reach out to at the college, NBA and overseas level regarding Josh's transition, so I'm sure something will surface," the agent said of multiple championship and MVP winner Pace, who also played for the Townsville Crocodiles in the ANBL last year.
McCray said he had talks with the Crocs but it fell through as Townsville weren't keen on a long-term deal, but Pace said he had enjoyed his year in the ANBL and would love to do it again if the opportunity arose and he were free.
McCray said: "I have watched Josh grow from a young man to a grown man. It's been one hell of a ride."
Pace was aware ex-Giants coach Liam Flynn was now at the helm of the IMS Payroll Hawks and it would have been great to return here.
Former coach Paul Henare released Pace because he didn't think the leftie swingman fitted the mould of his roster in 2011.
"As far as playing for the Hawks, of course, that would have been great but the Hawks will be fine and Liam will do an excellent job as he did for the Giants," Pace said.
Flynn said Pace didn't fit the Hawks' roster this year because his position was "loaded".
"The one thing for me was that he was a winner. He won two games for me on the buzzer in my first season and in my second one he was part of many wins," he said.
"He's a guy who, in the big moments, rises to the occasion, so I really enjoyed coaching him. He's very talented and a great team guy."
Having had Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim at Syracuse University, Flynn said Pace had a great grounding and possessed a high basketball IQ.
"He cares about his teammates so I'm sure he'll be a caring coach too. I think he has all the attributes for being a great coach."