Nathan Jawai: “I want to be in the NBA next season”
You grew up in a pretty remote part of Australia. How was growing up there?
Nathan Jawai: It was pretty easy on one hand. But it was tough on another. There was lot of problems with alcohol and drugs in the community in which I lived. So it was also tough growing up there.
How did you stay away from that?
NJ: My parents were very strict with me and they always tried to keep me occupied. There was a lot of people falling in with drugs, but not me because of that.
You have not played basketball for many years. How did it all begin?
NJ: I had a coach that came into my house and kind of told me if I was interested in playing, and that was the beginning of it.
When did you start taking basketball seriously, as a job?
NJ: When I went to the Institute. It was like two or three years ago. When I went there, to the Australian Institute of Sport, that was when I started taking it seriously.
Rugby being the national sport, did you ever consider playing that instead of basketball?
NJ: No. Back then, I didn’t know what sport to do because I didn’t know what I was doing. At that age, I was very young to think about that.
What are your memories of playing college basketball in the United States?
NJ: It was hard. It wasn’t very good because I hurt my knee and I had to come back pretty soon.
Is it common for indigenous to excel in sports in Australia? You hear a lot about Cathy Freeman, but not much more.
NJ: It’s hard to get out of these communities and do that. You have to work hard. I have worked hard and was lucky to have the people that I’ve had surrounding me. Some people try, but it’s hard.
Do you feel like the Australian League is becoming too easy for you already?
NJ: It was hard at the beginning, coming into the league for the first time. Now it’s becoming easier. It’s easy, but not too easy.
Do you like to be called Baby Shaq?
NJ: No, I don’t like that. I don’t like to be compared to Shaq because we are very different players. First of all, he’s much bigger. He must be like 7-foot-1 and I’m more like 6-foot-8, 6-foot-9. He has done a lot of things and I’m much younger. And obviously he’s more about power than I am. So I don’t like to be compared to him.
What are your plans regarding the draft this year?
NJ: There are many months left before the draft comes. For now I will be staying home. I will work hard to be prepared. And when the time comes, I will go through all that.
But would you like to go to the NBA right away or wait a little bit?
NJ: That’s my goal, to go there next year. I want to be in the NBA next season. That’s what I want to do. I would prefer not to wait. Just go there and try my luck.
So you feel ready for the league?
NJ: Right now, I feel ready. I might not be ready, I don’t know. It’s probably going to be hard when I go there. But I would say than I’m ready. And if I get there and I see that I’m not, I will work very hard to be ready.
Jaime Said,
February 29, 2008 @ 3:16 pm
good luck nathan, you look like a good prospect, I´ll remember your name
bbball Said,
February 29, 2008 @ 3:25 pm
Can he run?? .. Can he think while running?? .. Can he survive the long NBA season?? .. Can he talk smack or does he sound like a funny Aussie .. LOL
Sasha Mtsensk Said,
February 29, 2008 @ 3:45 pm
I’m from Russia and i think that every ‘baby shaq’ is only a thing that could help people to imagine how tough is the player. I hope that Nathan won’t play in NBA like a ‘russian shaq’ (Pavel Podkolzine). Good Luck, Nathan
Smitsta Said,
February 29, 2008 @ 6:37 pm
Jawai is a very exciting australian prospect, and from what I have seen from his interviews etc, he is very humble and quite shy. Australia has not had a prospect like him, so it is very difficult to say how he will go in the NBA, but at the moment the NBL is definitely too easy for him considering he is just a rookie. I can’t wait to see how he plays in the Beijing Olympics.
People forget that he has only been playing basketball for a few years, so he is definitely a few years away from reaching his ceiling, (which is probably as a solid NBA role player). It is important to remember that the Australian league has very few strong and agile big guys, and he will not be able to overpower the defense so easily in the NBA against long and quick 7 footers.
Niko Said,
February 29, 2008 @ 9:10 pm
A few things wrong with that article. Rugby is definitely not our number one sport. Aussie Rules football absolutely dwarfs it.
That aside, Nathan does dominate our national league. But that is mainly because we have a genuine dearth of quality big men. We have probably 2 genuine 7 footers in our league. The rest are definitely undersized and out of position on a world scale. So it isn’t that hard for him to stand out.
Whether he has the tools for the NBA, I don’t know. I’m leaning towards thinking he would struggle, probably in the mould of another Danny Fortson. He does have a soft touch around the basket though, and isn’t afraid to elevate into defenders and throw it down hard. I guess he could be another Big Baby Davis at best. Worth a gamble with a second round pick.
Niko (Australian)
koLA Said,
February 29, 2008 @ 9:52 pm
Hes Indian. lol. He looks black buts hes tamil. Tamil people have skin colour and features of black people. I dont how he grew so much. usually indian people are short as hell. lol. PLz be the first indian into the NBA. I would definitely buy a jersey
Words of Wisdom Said,
March 1, 2008 @ 4:30 am
I’m sorry buddy, but you the NBA is going to EAT YOU ALIVE.
You’re 6′8, you’re undersized, you’re chubby. I don’t know how refined your skills are, but judging from your resume I’m pretty sure Eddy Curry would be best case scenario for you.
Good Luck
Try to get a contract with the Knicks!
winkstrap Said,
March 1, 2008 @ 8:15 am
jawai will be a very decent bench player in the nba backing up the power foward and playing about 15 minutes per game
eddy curry you kidding me jawai can actually rebound pal
his game is improving and i expect he will be taken in the draft this year in the range of pick 24-30
Nathan Jawai
Date of Birth : Friday, 10 October 1986
Height : 208 cm
Weight : 128 kg
Court Position : Forward/Centre
NBL Clubs : Cairns Taipans 2008
Birth Place : Sydney, NSW
Michael Chan Said,
March 1, 2008 @ 10:14 am
Lol. Kola, he ain’t Indian.
I have seen em’ play in person a few times
+ve:
very quick, decent hops: enough to do a reverse dunk coming around the other side
soft touch: good either laying it in or dunking it hard
big wingspan: doesn’t get faked out too easy or tries to go for every block
can take it out to 12 feet
slightly above average dribbles
doesn’t mind pounding into his defenders a little before turning over the shoulder
-ve:
previous injuries: lateral quickness lacking
average weak side defender at best
seemed lazy one on one D, but could be just saving it for the other side as he gets pushed around a bit on O
Favors right hand a lot
Strong upper body, but looks weak in the legs
Stefan Said,
March 1, 2008 @ 12:08 pm
Good luck Natan. I have friends in Australia and they told me that you are quite good. Good luck in the draft I hope your dream to play in the NBA comes true.
koLA Said,
March 1, 2008 @ 2:06 pm
micheal chan. Looks his last name up on google. He is indian. Not all indian people are brown some look like africans.
Nathan Jawai
Jawai
Meghalaya • India
Coordinates: (find coordinates)
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
District(s) Jaintia Hills
Population 25,023 (2001)
Jawai is a city and a municipal board in Jaintia Hills district in the Indian state of Meghalaya.
Jawai
As of 2001 India census[1], Jawai had a population of 25,023. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Jawai has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 77%, and female literacy is 75%. In Jawai, 17% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Tevž Said,
March 1, 2008 @ 4:23 pm
NICKNAMES
1.”baby shaq” nickname is already taken by Greece player Sofoklis Schortsanitis
2.And Juan Carlos Navarro already had his nickname “la bomba” when he played in Spain, so please NBA reporters don’t take credit that came up with his nickname
Ishmael Said,
March 1, 2008 @ 9:10 pm
Please stop with the “LOL’s”. It’s lame. Cool in 1995. Retarded in 2008. You can communicate better than internet cliches. Just find it in you.
Zacharov Said,
March 1, 2008 @ 9:58 pm
koLA - Jawai is Aboriginal, the people that are indiginous to Australia (the country where i am from). He isnt Indian, and just because his last name is also the name of a place in India, does not make him form that country. Seriously mate, stop being so one-minded. and as for bbball - shutup dude. Are you trying to be racist? because you literally just sound like a douchebag.
pio2u Said,
March 2, 2008 @ 12:16 am
Nathan kind of favors Daryl Dawkins. Good luck big guy; if you don’t make it at 1st, try the “D-League”
Ben Said,
March 2, 2008 @ 1:04 am
Indian … LOL
“he is actually a Torres Strait Islander, an Indigenous population that hails from the Torres Strait, between the north eastern tip of Australia and southern coast of New Guinea. We apologize for the error.”
He will be good, real good in the NBA. be patient.
Michael Said,
March 2, 2008 @ 3:04 am
Kola, you’re claiming the fact that his last name is Jawai to say his Indian? You might as well as I am related to Jackie Chan.lol
I grew up around Indians, I know what Indians look like.
He is Indigenous and hails from Bamaga. Was brought down to Cairns to play with the Kuiyam Pride (now defunct Indigenous ABA program) and just things took off from there.
I am assumin’ you’re being tongue in cheek.
Hahaha
look up Indigenous
Xeni Said,
March 2, 2008 @ 4:33 am
The guy is Australian Aboriginal far as i was aware (Kuri)
Anyways i havent seen him “dominate” before, the guy is big strong and talented, and has some great highlights. Runs the floor well, but by far his best asset is he is getting better every game (unlike curry - god i wish curry WOULD just try).
Anyways Jawz is a good bigman and i think yeah he can be like a glen davis in the nba, he will give u solid minutes and put a lot into each minute he is on the floor.
cheers Xeni (Aus)
MrBlack Said,
March 2, 2008 @ 4:34 am
First, he is not Indian, he is a Torres Strait Islander. He is as Australian as thery come.
Secondly, I think that even at 6′9″, he will play centre in the NBA if drafted. the guy has a 7′5″ wingspan !!! He also has the body type of a centre. He reminds me alot of Erick Dampier.
Lastly, Schortsanitis is just another in a very long line of Baby Shaq nick named players, he has no exclusive rights to it.
Jams Said,
March 2, 2008 @ 9:13 am
I don’t even know why this makes a headline?
He has been doing good in a garbage league. So what? He doesn’t have the size or hops to be anything special in the NBA and probably won’t even make the NBA so who cares about him?
Jams Said,
March 2, 2008 @ 9:14 am
By the way, I want to be in the NBA next season too. Do I make a headline now?
yoja Said,
March 2, 2008 @ 12:34 pm
i hope he doesn’t become another yinka dare( god bless his soul).
koLa Said,
March 2, 2008 @ 2:17 pm
wow you guys are getting so defensive about his race. You guys are dumb Donkeys because historically we are all Africans. Human civilization started in Africa. Humans were first black then went to different continents to evolve into different ethnic groups. Do you know the golfer Vijay Singh hes not Indingeous. He is Indo-Fijian of Hindu ancestry. He was born in Fiji. This could be the same for Nathan Jawai.
And their are different type of Indian. Ones that range from African looking , oriental looking and to European looking. e.g Freddie mercury of Queen was Indian.
shaun boyd Said,
March 2, 2008 @ 5:46 pm
Hell be in the league for about 3 years at the most, 6-8 hmmm does not sound to appealing for a low post prospest anymore and has not been tested. If i was a G.M. i would not waste a first round pick on him or a high second round round pick.
Michael Chan Said,
March 3, 2008 @ 3:58 am
Kola you crack me (us) up
I am Indian!
Actually, we were created in the form we were in a celestial garden and we all share one mother and one father.
MrBlack:
agree, he has a HUGE wingspan
Xeni:
you hit it by comparing to Glen Davis…was just thinking about that too!
Shaun Norden Said,
March 3, 2008 @ 5:39 am
“I’m sorry buddy, but you the NBA is going to EAT YOU ALIVE.
You’re 6′8, you’re undersized, you’re chubby. I don’t know how refined your skills are, but judging from your resume I’m pretty sure Eddy Curry would be best case scenario for you.”"
The dumbest thing I’ve ever read on here. Eddy Curry was borderline all-star last year was pick 4 in the NBA draft and earns millions. Yeah that would be a bad result for him.
Zane Said,
March 3, 2008 @ 5:52 am
I think there is a role for Nathan coming off the bench in the L. In the right situation he could be a contributor. Reminds me of Anthony Mason.
Words of Wisdom Said,
March 3, 2008 @ 6:41 am
Eddy Curry is borderline starting center… - Which is best case scenario for our friend Nathan.
Idiot…
Jay Buckley Said,
March 3, 2008 @ 8:36 am
Americans - can I just clear something up for you all re: oz? Rugby is NOT our national sport. It is the second most popular sport in some states, and arguably the most popular sport in one state (new South Wales). Not sure what you would class as our national sport (probably cricket, on the basis it is a popular sport in all states) but I’d argue our most successful, widespread and popular football code on a national basis is Australian Rules football. Oh and please understand that rugby league and rugby union (when you say Ryugby - you are referring to rugby union) are two entirely seperate games and *gasp*, league is more popular in many parts of New South Wales and Queensland than rugby.
sierra Said,
March 3, 2008 @ 8:41 am
My bad.
jmaaan Said,
March 3, 2008 @ 7:38 pm
Jay, thanks for that clarification. Still totally confused. We know about as much about rugby and it’s cousins as we do about soccer. Or cricket.
MrBlack Said,
March 4, 2008 @ 6:05 am
In a nutshell, all your aussie NFL punters all came out of Australian Rules Football
Shaun Norden Said,
March 4, 2008 @ 8:40 am
Yes he’s a probable second round pick that could at best be Eddy Curry.
Once again an awful result for all involved without doubt.
Words of Retardation
AMac Said,
March 4, 2008 @ 9:13 am
Smitsa-
Australia has never had a prospect like him? Is it just me, or didn’t Andrew Bogut go #1 in the draft?
jessel j cash Said,
March 4, 2008 @ 2:53 pm
this is of no importance but cricket is our national sport in the bahamas.as for jawai i think he will be a servicible back up center/power forward for time to come. Curry’s main problem is he damn lazy this youngster dosent seem lazy,he seem eager to learn if he gets in a good system he will be ok.
JERRY Said,
March 4, 2008 @ 10:33 pm
WHO THE HELL IS THIS GUY???????????????????????????
Ronald Said,
March 5, 2008 @ 11:05 am
Good luck with that. The League is always looking for the “Next”.
Aussie Dyl Said,
March 10, 2008 @ 12:36 am
KoLA, he is torres strait islander, NOT indian, so sorry not going to be first indian in the NBA.
YES he is chubby at best and needs to get in better shape, skills need improving. He is however explosive to the hoop and has a get the f@#* outta the way attitude, he’s got that big 7′5″ wingspan and big hands so should be better with the ball then curry and able to play D. I think he’ll go for a steal late first early second, BUT and team drafting should consider sending him to the D league to develop against big men.
John Said,
April 29, 2008 @ 12:23 am
Does it really matter the NBA today is painful to watch. The league has ruined the game with these dumb rules that prevent players to play any type of defense. If yesterdays players where to play today they would double their scoring totals. Just look around the league are there any players anywhere near the calibur of a Jordan or a Dominique. Don’t give me Kobe or Lebron. Those two players would not have been top notch players had they played in the late 80’s or early 90’s. All I see today are flops and soft fouls being called. Where are the enforcers of the 80’s such as Xavier Mcdaniel and Charles Oakley. It is a waste of time really, so until they remove the hand check rule and allow players to play some defense my T.V. will remaing lifeless when NBA games are on.
Luke Said,
June 2, 2008 @ 9:37 pm
Does it really matter what colour his skin is? Nathan go out there, give it your best shot and good luck. and koLA his last name is pronounced Zawai!!!
soulja Said,
June 2, 2008 @ 9:53 pm
and then
will Said,
July 2, 2008 @ 12:45 pm
WELCOME TO THE RAPTORS!!!
Rob Said,
July 12, 2008 @ 2:14 pm
Welcome to Canada. Hope you don’t mind -20″C.
Rob Said,
July 12, 2008 @ 2:32 pm
Looking at some of these dumb ass comments makes me laugh. Nathan jawai is already as success. Even if he only plays out his two year contract with the raps he will have millions in the bank at the age of 23 years old. The fans in toronto don’t mind if this guy falls flat on his face if he works hard and can bang with some of these pussy bigs in the nba today. We know its a finess sport but they are playing in the maple leafs building so we would like too see more of a hockey like brand of basketball (body checks into the crowd, hard hard fouls) so they know their north of the border.
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james6t9r1 Said,
December 16, 2008 @ 8:31 am
pppppppppfffffffffftt Niko Afl dwarfts league League is such a better game afl has to much start n stop.
I think Nathan Jawai is going 2 be an anwesome player he will own baby davis to NIKO! and he works really hard from what ive been reading so he will be a really good player probably not like a dwight howard, Shaq or anything but he could be so we will have 2 wait and see.
Rob i agree with u about the hard fouls that would be good also what be nice if they showed games other than celtics/lakers mavs/spurs games on espn in aus geeezzz i wanna see some cavs coz there my hav team n if nathan jawai get back then so rapters games would be good 2