Is Illawarra Hawks signing LaMelo Ball bound for Canberra?

It will be if Basketball ACT and the ACT government can combine to secure a deal for further Illawarra Hawks games at the AIS Arena.

The NBL's small market battlers have landed the prized signature of LaMelo Ball as part of the league's Next Stars program.

There is scope for the Hawks to bring multiple games to Canberra this season, meaning ACT fans could see the younger brother of NBA player Lonzo Ball join forces with 10-year NBA veteran Aaron Brooks for Illawarra.

Make no mistake about it - this is a big deal.

How big? Big enough for Barack Obama to follow the Hawks on Twitter. Big enough for the Instagram post announcing Ball's signing garner more than 33,000 likes - a tad more than the few hundred they customarily get.

The sheer number of eyeballs glued to Canberra from around the globe could be huge as the Hawks ride a wave of support kicked off by Ball's signing.

The 17-year-old prospect has outlined his desire to be the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA draft, giving Canberra the chance to host one of the sport's most exciting future stars - if only for a day or two.

Basketball ACT president Allan Yates says the hype around Ball joining the NBL has been "unbelievable" and hopes the region can capitalise.

"They are certainly looking to play some games in Canberra," Yates said.

"We've been talking to them and we're very keen to support the games and we look forward to the games that may be played this year."

Hawks general manager Mat Campbell says Ball and recent acquisition Sam Froling - the brother of Canberra Capitals star Keely Froling - shows the club is on its way towards providing youngsters with a pathway to the big show.

"The NBL is a really solid league, with great coaches and players, and I am looking forward to putting all my focus and energy into basketball and getting to work," Ball said.

"I believe this will be an amazing opportunity for me as I continue in my journey toward fulfilling my dream of playing in the NBA."

There for every step of the journey will be the rookie's father Lavar - the man that constantly found himself making national headlines amidst a series of bold statements about basketball.

Among them were claims he could beat Michael Jordan one-on-one.

Whether he ever fronts up at the AIS Arena to watch his son remains to be seen, as BACT officials look to secure a long-term deal with the Hawks after they hosted Cairns in Canberra this year.

The Hawks have moved to assure fans their move into Canberra is not the start of a relocation plan but instead a chance to secure their financial future.

The NBL has had no major discussions about establishing a franchise in Canberra but league chief Jeremy Loeliger is keen to expand the league's footprint.

Loeliger has said there is scope for the Hawks and Andrew Bogut's Sydney Kings to both play games in Canberra, but government support is pivotal.