Brad Newley has seen the glitter twinkle and wants what it represents.
Hours out from his final professional game, the 39-year-old is on the verge of achieving the one basketball accolade that has eluded his two-decade-long career.
Newley experienced success while blazing a trail for a decade through Europe, was selected in an NBA draft and realised his childhood dream of representing the Australian Boomers at three World Cups and two Olympics, but in 326 games he has never lifted the NBL trophy.
Now, on Sunday, he gets the chance to do so with Melbourne United after they defeated the Tasmania JackJumpers on Thursday night to send a classic championship series to a deciding fifth game.
The closest Newley has been to an NBL ring was in 2020 with Sydney but the COVID pandemic forced the cancellation of the championship series with Perth Wildcats after three games.
In a cruel twist, Newley would later join United and the Kings would win the next two titles.
"As a group and club we planned on winning this thing three years ago and fell short. We have an opportunity now," he told ESPN.
"It's the one thing missing from my trophy cabinet that I never really got to get, the glory of dancing in the glitter when you win.
"I did it as junior world champ (2003) and a couple of Comm Games and those things but at a domestic level I've always seen it and been dirty I didn't get to do it.
"It would be just a great summary and to have my kids there and family here in Melbourne.
"There's a job to do still, I don't want to get carried away, but it would mean a lot to me and I guess it's a final farewell to what's been a pretty fun career."
Family, wife Brigid and children Beth, 10, and Charlie, 6, have offered welcome perspective, none more so than following last Sunday's game-three loss when JackJumper Jack McVeigh put a dagger through United hearts.
With school runs and little hoopers to coach, there was no time to dwell.
"We had the crazy loss Sunday and Monday morning I had my little under-8s at the school, had a coffee with another dad, and just went about my business," Newley said.
"I felt like I brought a lot of positive energy into the group for the next couple of trainings and that's something CG (Chris Goulding) has been talking to me about -- 'bring positive vibes, bring positive vibes'.
"The series is never over, I really just want to soak up the last days as a professional athlete."
Reaching the point of retirement, which the 2006 NBL Rookie of the Year announced in February, took time, work and some expert insights.
"I've been working with a guy who's very experienced in that field and basically helped me come to terms with my career, it was always a bit of a challenge," Newley explained.
"I basically finished year 11, year 12 and knew I was going to become a professional athlete, getting up in the morning and putting on training gear is all I've ever done.
"And when you're a sportsperson your whole life you're very hard on yourself and you're always judged. Giving yourself a break is important and has been a huge challenge for me.
"As a young athlete you can be selfish, and there's nothing wrong with that because your body is your investment and you need to do everything you can to have your investment right, but as you get older and have a family all of a sudden you can't be angry and down because that's how they'll feel. Your mentality goes through the family and ask Brig (wife Brigid) it's been a challenge and I've worked on that and even this year there's been times where I've been grumpy.
"You've got to stick it out and that's why I've had some help in that department and proud of the position I've got myself to and now one win away from glory."
While Newley's court time has been minimal this season his experience has been maximised.
"My role could have easily been filled by a young player but Dean's (coach Dean Vickerman) kept me on board as a mentor and I've embraced it, tried to keep people in a good head space," he says.
"They ask me how I feel in these situations, how I've dealt with close out games which I have with European teams and my whole message has been 'you've just got to go and get it, if you wait it's too late' and I think Delly (Matthew Dellavedova) has really epitomised that the way he's attacked the game this series."
He's learned plenty too.
"I purposely sit next to the coaches to try and see what they talk about -- not that I want to get into coaching immediately -- see how they manage the game and players. I've spent time with our head of culture Trent Hotton, learned about team building and character, little bits I've been able to put into the notebook in my head."
With one game to go in his pro-career, Newley returned home from Tasmania on Good Friday and watched his beloved Carlton play in AFL in the afternoon.
A junior basketball-free weekend will mean a few more family walks and coffee runs then an Easter egg hunt on Sunday morning.
But the rainbow foil of chocolate wrappers might not be the only colourful flecks surrounding Newley on Sunday.