Last season the Hawks won both their round-robin games against Taranaki but what they didn't do very well was shut down Suleiman Braimoh.
This season the American import forward will be roosting with the IMS Payroll-sponsored team as the Hawke's Bay franchise seek their second National Basketball League title.
Braimoh claimed a game-high 27 points and 12 rebounds during the Hawks' 81-64 victory at New Plymouth in June, after claiming a double-double 17 points and as many rebounds in April in Napier.
Hawks new coach Liam Flynn also announced they had signed Zach Atkinson for his scoring prowess.
The pair replace Dustin Scott, who has decided not to return due to personal reasons, and Bay-based Kareem Johnson, who has missed out on selection.