Farewell to a trailblazer: Jawai ready for historic final game

One of Australia’s greatest ever big men is set to lace up the shoes for one more game in the IBA All Stars Game, presented by VicHealth, on Wednesday night.

Nate Jawai became the first ever Indigenous player drafted into the NBA in 2008, a powerful moment in an incredible career full of highlights, and the 38-year-old is thankful for the chance to close this chapter his way.

“It’s a mix of emotions,” he said.

“I guess it’s emotional, but I’ve been out of the game for a couple of years now, so it’s also that I feel kind of complete that I get to do it with my brothers and sisters.

“I get this opportunity to come here and make this my last game, it’s something that fills my cup and feels much more complete.”

>> Fans can live stream a memorable night on basketball.com.au, with tickets still available for the game at the State Basketball Centre, Wantirna South. 

The IBA Indigenous All Stars will take on a Māori team on Wednesday night in what will be a special moment for Jawai to take it all in.

The 212-game NBL veteran had the chance to reflect on all he has achieved and how it all began to get him to where he is today.

“A lot of adversity ... from the start to the end,” he said.

“It’s been an incredible journey from my part, obviously leaving from Bamaga, it was the first kind of challenge, leaving mum and dad in the community. Then to Cairns, but then a lot of things happened really quickly for me.

“There was a lot of ups and down and it was more downs because you know, it’s hard when you’re leaving a community that you’re so used to and you’re so close to everyone.”

Jawai first played for the Cairns Marlins in 2004, before heading to Canberra the following year to be part of one of the most talented AIS groups of all time.

“Patty (Mills), Joe (Ingles), Tyson (Demos) ... they were really crucial for me, because it kind of gave me an idea of how to be a professional.

“The brothers and the connectivity, the brotherhood ... it made me the person who I am today ... I can’t name all of the ... but those are the ones that made it enjoyable for me and made me kind of love sports because at the start you gotta remember I was brand new to basketball.”

Jawai’s career rapidly took off after the AIS, from beginning with the Cairns Taipans to getting drafted by the Indiana Pacers. Two years later he joined Partizan Belgrade, then Barcelona and Turkey, before heading back home to Australia and the Perth Wildcats.

“It was good. It was great actually,” he said about his time out West.

“I had a lot of veterans around me ... I was the puppy then.

“That group was fun to be around, but the Perth Wildcats was probably one of the most proud moments I’ve had in the NBL.

“Obviously winning the championship, but it’s just another level. It’s a great club, its family orientated.

“Trevor Gleeson was huge for everybody there and all my teammates, Damian Martin and all that, I think that was where I really got to enjoy my NBL career.”

While Jawai continued to play in the NBL1 North for the Darwin Salties after he stepped away from the NBL, he now feels everything is in the right place as he prepares for one last moment on the court.

“From a little community, to around the world and back here today,” he said.

“I get to celebrate and thank everybody who supported me through my journey and I get to end it with my brothers and sisters.”

5pm AEST – Curtain-raiser: Koorie Academy vs. Knox Raiders
6pm AEST – IBA Women's All Stars vs. Poitūkohu Māori o Aotearoa women's team
8pm AEST – IBA Men's All Stars vs. Poitūkohu Māori o Aotearoa men's team

IBA Men's All Stars:
– Amarco Doyle
– Anthony Mundine III
– Biwali Bayles
– D'antae Woods
– Johny Narkle
– Kian Dennis
– Kobe McDowell-White
– Nathan Jawai
– Tamuri Wigness
– Tidjane Diop
– Wundarra Thomas (development player)

Fans can live stream a memorable night on basketball.com.au, with tickets still available for the game at the State Basketball Centre, Wantirna South. 

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