Even amid the lure of a Brisbane homecoming, the appeal of coach Mody Maor ultimately played its part in Will McDowell-White deciding his future is with NZ Breakers.
The 25-year-old was a key figure in the Breakers' run to within one game of last season's ANBL title, leading to interest from more than one other side within the league.
But rather than return across the Tasman, McDowell-White instead put pen to paper on a new two-year contract to remain with the Breakers, rather than up and move to a fifth new team since 2020.
Not to mention, wanting to continue to work under coach Mody Maor, who's taken the club back to within touching distance of its former heights in his first season at the Kiwi club.
"It's mentally stabling to know [I'm] here for a couple more years," he told Newshub. "That's kind of something I wanted to do, be somewhere for more than one year, and not have to do the whole free agency thing again.
"And obviously you know Mody's going to be here as well. It's a match made in heaven, some would say."
McDowell-White is hardly the first player to make his unwavering belief in Maor known. But he is another piece in the jigsaw that will look to see the club win its first title since 2015.
Now in their second season under Maor, the Breakers won their season opener last week - the first time they've done so since 2016.
And while McDowell-White didn't take the court in that win over Cairns Taipans due to a hand injury, Maor's influence will continue to be a factor in his place at the Breakers.
"We've built a special relationship over four years now. He's just helped me develop to a whole new level, somewhere I thought I would never go to.
"I completely trust him, and his ability to recruit good people. It's a big reason."
If there was any example of the significance of Maor, McDowell-White's decision to stay in New Zealand came at the expense of a return to his hometown of Brisbane.
Brisbane Bullets were one of many clubs understood to be chasing his signature, in a move that would have seen him return home.
Coincidentally, the Bullets are the Breakers' next opponent - with the two sides to meet at Spark Arena on Thursday.
But while tempting, McDowell-White is content with his decision to stay in Aotearoa.
"For sure [it was close], even the coach [Justin Schueller], I've had a lot to do with him growing up," he said. "They guys on the team, I've played with them a lot as well.
"Family is a big thing, but I'm comfortable away from home."
