"Obviously the main priority right now is winning games at Surrey, but don't get me wrong, Wake Forest is always there," says a smiling Hildreth, as he pulls out a Wake Forest cushion serving as a constant reminder of the chapter ahead. "I can't wait to get there for sure."
While offers came in from elsewhere, North Carolina soon emerged as a natural home away from home. One arguably indicative of the BBL's value.
"The way Wake got in touch with me was slightly through the ANG tournament in Lithuania, that's where they saw some of my highlights," said Hildreth.
"But believe it or not, Nick Nurse actually got in contact with Wake coach Steve Forbes, primarily because my dad and uncle are good friends with Nick due to him coaching them back in the day in the BBL. He's best friends with the head coach at Wake Forest, that's how they got in contact."
From the nutrition to the private school, 'tick, tick, tick' is the way Hildreth goes on to describe it, before his face lights up at the reminder of 11-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul and five-time NBA champion Tim Duncan being among the Wake alumni.