NICKNAME/S: Big Nate, Outback Shaq, Aussie Shaq, Baby Shaq

BIO: The Bamaga born big man is one of the most decorated athletes out of Far North Queensland, beginning his basketball journey at CBI and going on to become the first Indigenous player ever to be drafted in the NBA.

Nathan Leon Jawai, a Indigenous Australian of Torres Strait Islander descent, was born in at the Royal Hospital for Women in the Sydney suburb of Paddington on 10 October 1986. Jawai lived in Sydney for a year before his parents, Lynette and Ron, moved back to Bamaga, a small town of about 1000 people, located north of the Jardine River and only 40 km from the tip of Cape York Peninsula.

Like most children on Cape York, he played rugby league throughout primary school and early high school. However, living in a remote indigenous community meant Jawai was subject to a lot of bad influences and was often getting in trouble due to the stain of drug and alcohol abuse. Strong parental guidance and the decision to send Jawai to high school at St Augustine’s College in Cairns ensured he stayed away from bad influences. At the age of 15, Jawai began playing basketball, and it only took him two years until he began playing competitively for the Cairns Marlins of the Queensland Basketball League in 2004.

While playing for the Toronto Raptors in the NBA he was dubbed Outback Shaq, a nickname that stuck but Jawai has publicly stated he does not appreciate. Jawai received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 2005. He spent two years year there and played for the program’s state league team (2005, 2006).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Nathan Jawai made his NBL debut with the Cairns Taipans at 20 years of age. He scored 14 points in his first game.

Nathan Jawai’s play with the Cairns Taipans’ feeder team, the Cairns Marlins, earned him a spot on the Taipans roster for the 2007/08 NBL season.

In Jawai’s first year in the NBL he appeared in 31 games for the Taipans and averaged 17.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. Jawai’s rookie season included a number of dominant performances, including a 22 point, 18 rebound effort against the Sydney Kings and a 28 point, 15 rebound haul against the Townsville Crocodiles. At the end of the year Jawai was a obvious choice for the 2008 NBL Rookie of the Year, while the Taipans finished in sixth place (16-14).

PERTH WILDCATS
2015/16
After finishing fourth with a 16-12 record during an injury-riddled 2014/15 season before being swept by Cairns in the semifinals, Perth entered 2015/16 looking to return to championship contention under coach Trevor Gleeson. DeAndre Daniels (to Raptors 905), Drake U’U and Earnest Ross (released) departed, with Ross having suffered a torn Achilles during the previous season. Gleeson added Casey Prather (via Bakersfield), Nathan Jawai (via Andorra) and Hugh Greenwood (via New Mexico), but Greenwood (to Adelaide Crows) asked to be released only one month into his three-year contract after deciding to leave basketball and pursue an AFL career. His unexpected departure forced Perth to revise its recruiting strategy, with Jarrod Kenny (via Hawke’s Bay) signed as his replacement before the regular season began.

Jawai returned to Australia after spending seven years playing overseas, deciding to come home to play a larger role in his daughter Kayah’s life and signing with Perth on August 28. His arrival gave the Wildcats a powerful interior presence and allowed an injury-free Matthew Knight to move to his natural power forward position, while Shawn Redhage moved into a bench role.

Perth opened the season in Adelaide on October 10, where Jawai (11 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) made four of six shots in his Wildcats debut as Perth defeated the 36ers 79-66. Jermaine Beal (18 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) led Perth in scoring and Jesse Wagstaff (11 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists) provided support, while Daniel Johnson (18 points, 10 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) was Adelaide’s best.

Jawai (10.3 points and 4.1 rebounds across 32 games) started every game he played and gave Perth a physical low-post scoring option after several seasons overseas. He missed only two games, with quad soreness keeping him home from Perth’s November 4 trip to Townsville after initially injuring the leg against the Crocodiles two weeks earlier. Jawai had continued playing through the problem before the soreness flared, returning two days later against Townsville.

His highest-scoring game came against former team Cairns at Perth Arena on November 22, where Jawai (20 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 block) made eight of 12 shots as Perth escaped with a 91-90 victory. Prather (26 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) produced a career-high scoring performance and made the winning free throw with 1.5 seconds remaining, while Beal (13 points and 6 assists) provided support and Markel Starks (19 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists) led Cairns.

Jawai’s best game of the season came against Illawarra at Perth Arena on January 21, where Jawai (18 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) made seven of 10 shots as the Wildcats overwhelmed the Hawks 95-72. Beal (22 points) and Prather (20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Perth in scoring, while Oscar Forman (17 points and 6 rebounds) was Illawarra’s best. The performance was his strongest in two months and helped Perth remain among the leading teams on the ladder.

Perth made no mid-season roster additions or exits after the regular season began. Prather (16.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 27 games) finished as Perth’s leading scorer despite missing seven games and was named the Wildcats’ club MVP, while Beal (15.6 points and 3.6 assists across 33 games) remained another major offensive weapon. Knight (11.6 points and 7.9 rebounds across 33 games) stayed healthy after an injury-affected previous season and earned All-NBL Second Team honours, while Wagstaff (9.3 points and 4 rebounds across 34 games), Tom Jervis (6.7 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks across 34 games), Redhage (6.6 points and 3.1 rebounds across 34 games) and Damian Martin (5.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.8 steals across 24 games) provided Perth with one of the league’s deepest rotations. Martin missed time after an errant elbow from Townsville forward Brian Conklin left him with a broken jaw and missing teeth but returned before the end of October, while Redhage played his 350th NBL game in January.

Back tightness kept Jawai out of Perth’s February 10 trip to Sydney, with Gleeson resting him alongside Beal, who was also managing back tightness, and Martin, who had an ankle sprain, rather than taking the trio across the country four days before the regular-season finale. Jawai returned against Adelaide at Perth Arena on February 14, finishing with 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists in 10 minutes as Perth won 100-84. Prather (15 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Beal (15 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Wildcats, while Mitchell Creek (17 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) was Adelaide’s best. Jawai aggravated his back during the game but Perth finished second with an 18-10 record and reached the playoffs for the 30th consecutive season.

Perth opened its semifinal series against Illawarra at Perth Arena, where Jawai (6 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) helped the Wildcats win 80-68. Prather (19 points) and Beal (18 points) led Perth in scoring, while Jervis (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals) provided a major contribution from the bench and Tim Coenraad (23 points) was Illawarra’s leading scorer.

Game two moved to Wollongong, where Jawai (4 points and 8 rebounds) was held to two made field goals as Illawarra defeated Perth 104-87 and levelled the series. Prather (21 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Beal (20 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Wildcats, while Forman (21 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks), AJ Ogilvy (20 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks) and Kirk Penney (18 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists) led the Hawks.

Game three returned to Perth Arena, where Jawai (4 points and 3 rebounds) played 14 minutes as Beal (17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal), Wagstaff (17 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Knight (15 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 steal) led the Wildcats. Penney (18 points and 5 assists) was Illawarra’s leading scorer, while Prather (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) produced one of the highlights of the series with a one-handed dunk over Ogilvy during the fourth quarter as Perth won 89-74 and advanced to the Grand Final.

Reigning champion New Zealand had finished third with a 16-12 record before sweeping minor premier Melbourne in the other semifinal, setting up the championship series against Perth. The Grand Final opened at Perth Arena, where Jawai (15 points, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) made seven of 10 shots and led Perth in scoring as the Wildcats won 82-76. Knight (14 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Prather (11 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks) provided support, while Corey Webster (19 points and 2 steals) and Cedric Jackson (14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led New Zealand.

Game two moved to Auckland, where Jawai (8 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block) remained productive inside but New Zealand defeated Perth 72-68 and levelled the series. Beal (20 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Wagstaff (13 points) led the Wildcats, while Cedric Jackson (13 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals) produced a near triple-double and Thomas Abercrombie (12 points and 5 rebounds) provided support for the Breakers.

The deciding game returned to Perth Arena in front of 13,090 fans, where Jawai (9 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 block) helped Perth control the interior as Prather (19 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Beal (14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) led the scoring. Abercrombie (21 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals) was New Zealand’s leading scorer, while Martin (10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) kept Cedric Jackson scoreless and was named Grand Final MVP as Perth won 75-52 and claimed its seventh NBL championship.

2016/17
After finishing sixth with a 12-16 record and missing the playoffs the previous season, Cairns returned under head coach Aaron Fearne with Cameron Gliddon remaining captain. Markel Starks (to Cremona), Torrey Craig (to Brisbane), Shaun Bruce (to Brisbane), Cameron Tragardh (released), Matt Burston (not re-signed) and Jack White (to Duke) departed, while Mark Worthington, Alex Loughton, Stephen Weigh and Damon Heuir returned. Jarrad Weeks (via Illawarra), Travis Trice (via Westchester), Fuquan Edwin (via Ironi Nes Ziona), Nnanna Egwu (via Erie) and Mitchell McCarron (via Palencia) were added, while Nathan Jawai (via Perth) returned to Cairns after helping the Wildcats win the championship the previous season.

The returning centre signed a three-year deal on June 3, with his long-time relationship with Fearne, who had coached him as a teenager and played a major role in his development, a major factor in his return. Finger surgery on August 3 ruled him out for the entire NBL preseason and also kept him out of Cairns’ opening regular-season game, ultimately accounting for his only non-appearance all season.

Cairns opened at Perth Arena on October 8 without the returning centre and lost 84-74 in overtime. Gliddon (20 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Egwu (14 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block) led the Taipans, while Jaron Johnson (26 points and 5 rebounds) led Perth and forced overtime with a late three-pointer.

Jawai (10.1 points and 4.3 rebounds across 29 games) returned for Cairns’ second game and appeared in every remaining game, playing all 27 remaining regular-season games and both semifinals while starting 24 times overall. He provided Cairns with interior scoring after the finger injury disrupted his preparation.

His season debut came at Qudos Bank Arena on October 15, where Jawai (5 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal) played 16:46 off the bench as Cairns lost 92-78 to Sydney. Gliddon (13 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block) and Egwu (12 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 blocks) led the other Taipans, while Jason Cadee (23 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists) was Sydney’s best.

One of his strongest games came against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on November 7, where Jawai (19 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) led Cairns despite jarring his back in a tangle with Aleks Maric shortly after dunking on the Taipans’ opening possession. He went to the bench for treatment, returned late in the first quarter and finished the game, with Edwin (15 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Gliddon (15 points and 3 assists) providing support before Kevin Lisch (15 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) hit a step-back jumper with 0.3 seconds remaining to give Sydney a 79-77 win.

Jawai (16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block) produced another of his strongest all-round games in Brisbane on December 3 as Cairns defeated the Bullets 89-84. Trice (24 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Worthington (10 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) helped the Taipans hold on after leading by 21 points, while former Cairns forward Torrey Craig (24 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks) led Brisbane.

Edwin (8.1 points and 3.5 rebounds across 20 games) (to Prishtina) was released on January 19 for personal reasons after returning to the United States, with Cairns sitting 9-11 and fighting for a playoff position. Tony Mitchell (8.6 points across 10 games) (via Hapoel Eilat) was signed the following day as his replacement with eight regular-season games remaining.

Jawai’s best game came against Perth at the Cairns Convention Centre on February 5, where Jawai (22 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 assist) made 10-of-14 field goals and collected seven offensive rebounds as Cairns defeated the Wildcats 85-77. Tony Mitchell (20 points and 2 steals) and Loughton (13 points) provided support, while Bryce Cotton (26 points and 5 assists) was Perth’s best. Two minutes into the second half, Jawai aggravated his right shoulder reaching for a rebound, left the court and returned a few minutes later with the shoulder strapped before playing through the injury. “[The shoulder] is okay, it’s an old injury that I’ve aggravated. I’ve been lucky throughout the whole season that I haven’t done it, but it’s okay. It’s feeling better than it was when I first did it,” he said. The win moved Cairns to 13-13 and kept its playoff hopes alive, and the shoulder problem did not cost him another game.

Trice (14.6 points, 3.5 assists, and 1.2 steals across 26 games) led Cairns in scoring and won the Taipans’ Most Valuable Player award, while Gliddon (10.6 points, 3.1 assists, and 1.2 steals across 30 games) remained a key two-way presence as captain. Worthington (9.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists across 28 games) announced on January 22 that he would retire at the end of the season and received the Members’ Choice MVP award, while McCarron (7.2 points and 3.8 rebounds across 29 games), Loughton (6.6 points across 26 games), Weeks (6.3 points across 30 games), Weigh (5.4 points across 29 games) and Egwu (5.1 points and 3.7 rebounds across 30 games) provided the other major contributions. McCarron won the Best Defensive Player and Commitment to Community awards, Egwu received the Coaches Award and Heuir (3 points across 18 games) was named Players’ Player. After falling to 9-12, the Taipans won six of their final seven regular-season games to climb into second place.

Cairns completed the regular season in Adelaide on February 11, where Jawai (2 points and 2 rebounds) played 4:47 as the Taipans defeated the league-leading 36ers 98-89. Trice (18 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Gliddon (16 points and 5 assists) led Cairns, while Jerome Randle (24 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) was Adelaide’s best, with the victory completing a 15-13 regular season, securing second place and home-court advantage for the semifinals.

Cairns opened its semifinal series against defending champion Perth at the Cairns Convention Centre on February 17, where Jawai (4 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist) started but was limited by foul trouble as the Wildcats defeated the Taipans 91-69. Trice (15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Worthington (11 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Cairns, while Cotton (34 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) and Casey Prather (22 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals) powered Perth to a 1-0 series lead.

Game two moved to Perth Arena on February 20, where Jawai (2 points and 3 rebounds) came off the bench after Egwu moved into the starting lineup as Cairns attempted to keep its season alive. Trice (22 points and 5 assists) and Tony Mitchell (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal) led the Taipans, while Prather (24 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Jesse Wagstaff (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals) led Perth to a 74-66 victory and completed the 2-0 semifinal sweep, while Worthington (3 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) played his 335th and final NBL game.

2017/18
After finishing second with a 15-13 record before losing its semifinal series 2-0 to Perth the previous season, Cairns returned under head coach Aaron Fearne with Cameron Gliddon remaining captain. Travis Trice (to Brisbane), Mark Worthington (retired) and Fuquan Edwin (to Kauhajoki) departed, while Fearne added Dayshon “Scoochie” Smith (via Dayton), Michael Carrera (via Marinos de Anzoátegui) and Kuany Kuany (via Chaminade). A medial meniscus tear in the new import’s right knee during a preseason game against Perth on September 23 required surgery and ruled him out for four to six weeks, with Jerry Evans Jr (via Sandringham) signed to a short-term contract as his injury replacement.

Jawai’s best game of the season came in Cairns’ opening game against Illawarra on October 6, where Jawai (12 points and 4 rebounds) made five of six shots off the bench in his first NBL game since undergoing shoulder surgery before hurting his left foot late in the second quarter. Loughton (19 points and 3 rebounds) scored 16 points in the second half and made the game-winning free throw with 0.8 seconds remaining and McCarron (14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) also contributed as Cairns escaped with an 88-87 win, while AJ Ogilvy (22 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Illawarra. Scans later revealed a partial tear of a ligament in Jawai’s left foot which required surgery and ruled him out for 12 weeks.

Jawai (5.4 points across 7 games) was limited to only seven appearances and did not start a game, with the foot injury costing him the next 19 games. It was a major setback after he had shed more than five kilograms following off-season shoulder surgery and entered the season in considerably better condition, saying during the preseason, “I’m fitter, stronger and 100 per cent in better shape.”

Cairns signed Chris Patton (via Kilsyth) as a separate injury replacement for Jawai after he had averaged 17.5 points and 7.8 rebounds in the SEABL. Patton (1.7 points across 13 games) provided frontcourt cover while Jawai recovered and remained with Cairns through January before being released (to Melbourne) following Jawai’s return. Carrera (14.2 points and 3.6 rebounds across 5 games) returned from knee surgery against Perth on October 22, which pushed Evans Jr out of Cairns’ active import rotation for six games, before suffering an ankle injury against Melbourne on November 9. Evans Jr (7.5 points and 4.6 rebounds across 22 games) returned against Illawarra on November 18 before Carrera’s ankle failed to recover as hoped and Cairns ended his contract on December 14, leaving Evans in the full-time import role for the remainder of the season.

After missing three months, Jawai (5 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal) returned against New Zealand at Spark Arena on January 7 and played just under 15 minutes as Cairns was defeated 82-69. Evans Jr (17 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 3 blocks) and Gliddon (15 points and 2 steals) led the Taipans, while Edgar Sosa (19 points and 6 assists) led the Breakers.

Jawai (6 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) helped Cairns keep its finals hopes alive against New Zealand on January 20 as the Taipans erased a three-point deficit with an 18-0 run during the fourth quarter to win 81-71. Gliddon (20 points and 6 rebounds) and Smith (12 points) led Cairns, while DJ Newbill (25 points and 2 steals) was New Zealand’s leading scorer.

Jawai produced his best performance following his return against Illawarra on January 28, making all four of his field goal attempts and finishing with 8 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal in 22 minutes. Loughton (16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and Gliddon (13 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals) led Cairns, but Rotnei Clarke (20 points) helped Illawarra defeat the Taipans 88-78 at WIN Entertainment Centre.

Gliddon (12.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals across 28 games) and Loughton (12.6 points and 3.6 rebounds across 28 games) led Cairns offensively, while McCarron (11.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 28 games), Smith (10 points across 28 games), Weeks (8.3 points across 28 games), Evans Jr, Weigh (5.7 points across 18 games) and Egwu (5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds across 28 games) were the other main contributors. Gliddon and McCarron shared Cairns’ Most Valuable Player award, while Loughton collected the Members’ Choice MVP, Coaches Award and Players’ Player awards, McCarron was named Best Defensive Player and Jawai received the Commitment to Community award.

The season was also Fearne’s last with Cairns, with the club choosing not to renew his contract following a 19-year association with the Taipans, including nine seasons as head coach. Fearne said the club had decided “that it is time for a new voice to carry the club forward into a new era.”

Jawai (2 points and 1 rebound) made his final appearance of the season against Sydney on February 3 as Cairns was defeated 93-86 at the Cairns Convention Centre. Loughton (19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) and Weeks (18 points and 1 steal) led the Taipans, while Jerome Randle (24 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) led Sydney. Jawai then sat out Cairns’ final two games, with no injury or other reason for either absence publicly confirmed.

Cairns closed the season against Perth at Perth Arena on February 18, where Gliddon (12 points, 3 assists, and 1 steal) and Evans Jr (12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) led the Taipans, while Bryce Cotton (24 points and 6 assists) powered Perth to an 89-61 win. Cairns finished sixth with an 11-17 record and missed the playoffs.

SYDNEY KINGS
2018/19
Cairns entered 2018/19 looking to rebound from a sixth-place 11-17 finish, with the club parting ways with long-time coach Aaron Fearne after eight seasons and appointing Mike Kelly to rebuild a roster that had lost Cameron Gliddon (to Brisbane), Mitchell McCarron (to Melbourne), Jarrad Weeks (to New Zealand) and Stephen Weigh (retired).

On April 3, Nathan took up his player option with Cairns for the 2018/19 season, returning after a partial ligament tear in his left foot had restricted him to six games the previous year.

Kelly added Rob Loe (via New Zealand), Lucas Walker (via Perth), Jarrod Kenny (via Perth), Dexter Kernich-Drew (via Perth), Mitch Young (via Brisbane) and imports Melo Trimble, Devon Hall and DJ Newbill (via New Zealand), while Alex Loughton and Kuany Kuany returned.

Cairns opened the season in Brisbane on October 13, where Jawai (13 points and 6 rebounds) started and provided an inside presence as the Taipans defeated the Bullets 88-70. Trimble (32 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) and Newbill (16 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led Cairns, while Reuben Te Rangi (18 points and 3 rebounds) was Brisbane’s leading scorer.

Nathan Jawai (10 points and 5.2 rebounds across 27 games) saw his minutes and production rise sharply from the injury-shortened previous season and missed only one of Cairns’ 28 games. His return to regular minutes also earned him a late Boomers call-up in November, replacing injured Angus Brandt for World Cup qualifiers against Iran and Qatar. “I’m so happy … I’ll never give up on playing for my country until I retire,” Jawai said. He battled illness in the week before the December 31 game against Perth, missed the morning shootaround and appeared to be struggling with a knee issue during the game, but still played. The only game he missed was Cairns’ February 4 loss to Illawarra, with no confirmed injury or reason for his absence stated in the NBL’s game coverage.

Jawai’s best game of the season came at Melbourne Arena on November 11, where he made six of seven shots and finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks, but Melbourne came from 12 points down to defeat Cairns 87-80. Trimble (19 points and 4 assists) and Newbill (13 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) were Cairns’ other leading performers, while Casper Ware (34 points and 6 assists) led United as the Taipans suffered their sixth consecutive loss.

Jawai (18 points, 1 rebound, and 4 assists) matched his season-high scoring mark against Brisbane on January 3 and threw down two huge dunks as Cairns defeated the Bullets 109-80 at the Cairns Convention Centre, ending a 14-game losing streak and collecting its first home win of the season. Hall (24 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) and Kenny (15 points and 6 rebounds) helped the Taipans break through, while Lamar Patterson (27 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) was Brisbane’s best.

Eight days later at RAC Arena, Jawai (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) helped Cairns upset Perth 81-79 for its second win in three games. Trimble (32 points and 7 rebounds) and Newbill (13 points) led the scoring, while Bryce Cotton (20 points) was Perth’s leading scorer.

Trimble (21.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals across 27 games) led Cairns in scoring, earned All-NBL Second Team honours and was named the Taipans’ MVP, while Newbill (14.3 points and 4 rebounds across 27 games) was the team’s second-leading scorer. Jawai finished third in scoring, with Hall (8.8 points and 4.3 rebounds across 28 games), Loe (7.5 points and 4.8 rebounds across 28 games) and Loughton (6.5 points across 25 games) providing the other main contributions. The large roster turnover and limited preparation prevented Cairns from building momentum, with the Taipans going 3-11 at home and 3-11 on the road.

The season finale at Qudos Bank Arena on February 16 saw Jawai (0 points and 2 rebounds) play 9:37 off the bench as Sydney defeated Cairns 89-84. Trimble (21 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) and retiring captain Loughton (17 points and 3 rebounds) led the Taipans, while Andrew Bogut (12 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 blocks) anchored Sydney, leaving Cairns last with a 6-22 record.

2019/20
Cairns entered the 2019/20 season looking to recover from a 6-22 record and last-place finish during Mike Kelly’s first year as head coach. Melo Trimble (to Melbourne), Rob Loe (to New Zealand), Lucas Walker (to Sydney), Dexter Kernich-Drew (to Melbourne), Kuany Kuany (to Sydney) and Devon Hall (to Oklahoma City) departed, while Alex Loughton and Mitch Young retired. Kelly added Scott Machado (via South Bay Lakers), Cameron Oliver (via Delaware), Majok Deng (via Adelaide), Mirko Djeric (via Dynamic Belgrade) and Kouat Noi (via TCU), while Fabijan Krslovic was upgraded from development player to the full-time roster.

On August 4, Nathan Jawai re-signed with Cairns for a fourth consecutive season and was named co-captain alongside DJ Newbill on the eve of the season. “We are happy to keep a totally committed and dedicated Nate on our team,” Kelly said following his re-signing. Jawai delivered an early highlight at the NBL Blitz on September 19, grabbing Fabijan Krslovic’s missed free throw and tipping the ball in at the buzzer to give Cairns a 100-99 win over Adelaide.

Cairns opened the season against Sydney at the Cairns Convention Centre on October 4, where Jawai (10 points and 6 rebounds) came from the bench, but the Kings outscored the Taipans 22-8 in the fourth quarter to win 79-71. Noi (14 points and 12 rebounds) and Machado (13 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals) led Cairns, while Casper Ware (23 points and 5 assists) was Sydney’s best.

Jawai (8 points and 3.4 rebounds across 31 games) continued to provide Cairns with an experienced inside presence off the bench while sharing the captaincy with Newbill. He played all 28 regular-season games and all three semifinals and did not miss a game through injury.

Jawai’s season-high scoring performance came against Melbourne at the Cairns Convention Centre on October 28, where he celebrated his 100th game for the Taipans by scoring 18 points in just 14 minutes off the bench. Cairns trailed by 12 points at quarter-time before completing its biggest comeback from a quarter-time deficit since January 2012 to win 90-85, with Oliver (17 points, 11 rebounds, and 1 block) and Newbill (16 points) providing support, while Shawn Long (21 points, 17 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led Melbourne.

Jawai’s best all-round game came against Brisbane on November 16, where he finished with 14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block as Cairns defeated the Bullets 94-85. Noi (20 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 block) and Newbill (14 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) helped the Taipans lead by as many as 22 points before holding off Brisbane, while Nathan Sobey (20 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists) led the Bullets.

On January 26, Jawai played his 150th NBL game and scored 11 points as Cairns survived a late South East Melbourne comeback to win 103-102 at the State Basketball Centre. Machado (24 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists) and Newbill (23 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists) led Cairns, while Mitch Creek (32 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists) was the Phoenix’s best. The victory was Cairns’ seventh from eight games and left the Taipans within touching distance of a finals berth with four games remaining.

The season also saw Jawai featured by the NBL as part of its inaugural Indigenous Round, which saw all nine clubs wear Indigenous uniforms designed by local Indigenous artists and recognised the contribution Indigenous players and communities had made to basketball.

After opening the season 0-3, Cairns won seven of its next 11 games to reach 7-7 before putting together a five-game winning streak and later another four consecutive wins to secure a finals berth with two games remaining. Newbill (18.5 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.3 steals across 30 games) led Cairns in scoring, won NBL Best Defensive Player and was selected to the All-NBL Second Team, while Oliver (17.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks across 31 games) joined him on the All-NBL Second Team. Machado (16.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.3 steals across 31 games) led the NBL in assists, finished runner-up in MVP voting, earned All-NBL First Team honours and was named both NBL Fans MVP and Taipans MVP. Deng (11.9 points and 4 rebounds across 31 games), Noi (9.5 points and 5.8 rebounds across 22 games) and Djeric (7.3 points and 3 rebounds across 29 games) provided the other major production, while Kelly was named NBL Coach of the Year.

With third place already secured, Cairns closed the regular season against Brisbane at Nissan Arena on February 15, where Jawai (4 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) played limited minutes as the Bullets won 124-88. Deng (20 points and 7 rebounds) and Oliver (13 points and 3 rebounds) led Cairns, while Sobey (30 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) was Brisbane’s best. Cairns finished third with a 16-12 record, improving by 10 wins from the previous season and recording its best finish since 2014/15.

Cairns opened its semifinal series against defending champion Perth at RAC Arena, where Jawai (10 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 block) provided scoring from the bench as Machado (31 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists), Newbill (25 points) and Oliver (19 points, 17 rebounds, and 1 block) pushed the Wildcats into overtime. Bryce Cotton (42 points and 6 assists) and Nicholas Kay (23 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) led Perth, who escaped with a 108-107 win.

Game two moved to the Cairns Convention Centre, where Jawai (12 points) helped the Taipans force a deciding game with an 85-74 victory. Oliver (22 points, 19 rebounds, and 1 block), Newbill (16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Machado (13 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Cairns, while Clint Steindl (18 points) and Terrico White (13 points and 4 rebounds) led Perth.

The deciding game returned to RAC Arena, where Jawai (6 points and 5 rebounds), Oliver (20 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and Machado (19 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) led Cairns, while White (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Kay (24 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) carried Perth. After the loss, Kelly pointed to Newbill and Jawai and said, “I think when I look back I’m gonna be able to reflect and see the big picture of what this group did led by these two,” and “how special the season was while it was still going.” Perth won 93-82 and ended Cairns’ season.

2020/21
After finishing third with a 16-12 record and falling one win short of the Grand Final the previous season, Cairns entered NBL21 looking to build on its breakthrough year under coach Mike Kelly. The NBL reducing the import limit from three to two saw DJ Newbill (to Japan) depart, while Scott Machado and Cameron Oliver returned. Jordan Ngatai (via New Zealand) was added after six seasons with the Breakers and NBA prospect Mojave King joined through the Next Stars program.

On August 3, Nathan Jawai re-signed with Cairns on a two-year deal after receiving interest from other NBL teams, extending his second stint with the Taipans through to the end of the 2021/22 season. “It’s a long way down the track, but I’m planning on retiring here,” Jawai said.

Cairns opened the season against Sydney at the Cairns Pop-Up Arena on January 16, where Jawai (3 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 block) came from the bench as the Taipans recovered from six points down entering the fourth quarter to win 87-86. Machado (17 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists) and Mirko Djeric (15 points and 4 rebounds) led Cairns, while Casper Ware (18 points) was Sydney’s leading scorer.

Jawai (8.3 points and 3.8 rebounds across 36 games) turned back the clock, producing his highest scoring average since 2018/19 and recording four 20-point games – the most he had managed in an NBL season since his 2007/08 rookie year. Jawai appeared in all 36 games, starting 12, and did not miss a game through injury. “I have been fortunate to play every game this season, the body is feeling well and there are no niggling injuries,” Jawai said late in the season.

Jawai’s best scoring game came against Sydney at the State Basketball Centre on March 4, where he made 10-of-12 from the field and finished with 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in only 15 minutes. Machado (24 points and 5 assists) and Fabijan Krslovic (15 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 steals) provided support, while Dejan Vasiljevic (32 points) led Sydney as Cairns used an 8-0 run late in the fourth quarter to win 96-92 and snap a three-game losing streak. It was Jawai’s first 20-point NBL game since February 2017.

Jawai produced another throwback performance against New Zealand at the Silverdome on April 23, finishing with 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block in his 150th game for Cairns. Tad Dufelmeier Jr (14 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals) hit the game-winning three-pointer with seven seconds remaining and Machado (13 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists) controlled the offence, while Finn Delany (23 points and 14 rebounds) led New Zealand as Cairns won 70-68 in its first game following Oliver’s departure.

JAWAI JAM ?

Nate going upstairs in game 1?5?0? for the Snakes ?#NBL21 pic.twitter.com/92jJDU33yP

— The NBL (@NBL) April 23, 2021

Jawai’s best all-around game of the season came against Perth at the Cairns Pop-Up Arena on May 17, where he finished with 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Machado (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists) and Krslovic (11 points and 4 rebounds) provided support, while Bryce Cotton (24 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals) led Perth. The teams were tied entering the fourth quarter before the Wildcats pulled away to win 89-78, with Jawai continuing a strong late-season stretch after taking on a larger role following Oliver’s departure.

Cairns’ season was heavily disrupted by injuries and departures. Oliver (17.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks) led the Taipans in scoring and rebounding before being waived on compassionate grounds after 24 games when complications with his wife’s pregnancy required him to return to the United States. Machado (15.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 7 assists) remained the team’s primary playmaker, Deng (12 points and 4.5 rebounds) missed 16 games after suffering a partial tear of his left MCL and Kouat Noi (10.1 points and 4.4 rebounds) missed the final 18 games after suffering a PCL tear.

Djeric (8.6 points) made a career-high 66 three-pointers, while Ngatai (6.7 points), Venky Jois (6.4 points and 5.1 rebounds, via Pirot), King (6.2 points), Dufelmeier Jr (6 points) and Krslovic (5.1 points and 3.4 rebounds) provided support. Dufelmeier Jr was elevated from training player as an injury replacement, Hyrum Harris (via Illawarra) was later added as a nominated injury replacement and Jois joined the roster following Oliver’s departure.

Cairns entered its final game already eliminated from postseason contention and faced New Zealand at the Energy Events Centre in Rotorua on June 2, with Jawai (14 points, 9 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) finishing his season strongly. Machado (21 points, 4 rebounds, and 11 assists) led Cairns and Deng (11 points and 2 blocks) provided support, while Tai Webster (23 points and 6 rebounds) led New Zealand to an 84-78 win as the Taipans finished ninth with an 8-28 record.

2021/22
After finishing ninth with an 8-28 record during Adam Forde’s first season as coach, Cairns reworked its roster after losing leading scorer Cameron Oliver (to Houston), Fabijan Krslovic (to Tasmania) and Mojave King (to Adelaide). Forde retained captain Scott Machado, Majok Deng, Kouat Noi, Nathan Jawai, Mirko Djeric, Jarrod Kenny and Jordan Ngatai, while adding Tahjere McCall (via Orléans), Stephen Zimmerman (via Nymburk), Keanu Pinder (via Adelaide) and rookie Bul Kuol (via Detroit Mercy).

Cairns exercised the second-year mutual option on the two-year deal Jawai signed in August 2020, keeping him with the Taipans for a seventh consecutive season.

Cairns opened the season at RAC Arena on December 5, where Jawai (2 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists) came off the bench as Noi (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block) and McCall (16 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) led the Taipans, while Cotton (31 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) guided Perth to a 90-67 win.

Jawai (5.9 points and 2.7 rebounds across 19 games) came off the bench in every appearance before a partial Grade 2 tear of his right adductor suffered during training ruled him out for approximately four weeks. The injury postponed his 200th NBL appearance and accounted for all nine games he missed, with Jawai saying, “It’s definitely frustrating, but because of my age I’ve got to take my time. Hopefully in the next few games or week I’m back.”

Jawai returned at the Cairns Convention Centre on March 13 and finished with 2 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist in eight minutes during his 200th NBL game. McCall (21 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals) and Deng (20 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block) led Cairns, while Adams (24 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal) guided Sydney to an 86-77 win.

Congratulations to @Natejawai, who clocks his 200th career @NBL game tonight when the @CairnsTaipans take on the Kings 👏

We wind it back to 2007/08 when the BIG guy burst onto the scene to claim Rookie of the Year, All-Star game MVP, and ALL NBL second-team honours 💥#NBL22 pic.twitter.com/xY6bbnM3tU— NBL History (@nblhistory) March 13, 2022

Two weeks later, Jawai finished with 16 points and 5 rebounds as Cairns defeated New Zealand 93-90 at the Cairns Convention Centre. Noi (19 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) and Kuol (17 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) also produced season highs, while Wetzell (21 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists) led the Breakers.

Jawai’s best game came at MyState Bank Arena on April 8, where he made five of his six field-goal attempts and seven of nine free throws to finish with a season-high 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist. McCall (14 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Pinder (13 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 steal) supported him, but McVeigh (16 points and 7 rebounds) and Magette (13 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) helped Tasmania recover from a 10-point second-half deficit with a 26-10 third quarter and win 87-80.

Marshall Nelson (3.3 points across 10 games) was added from the Perth Redbacks as an injury replacement for Machado in December and released in March, while unpaid training player Ben Ayre (6.6 points and 3.8 assists across 8 games) was elevated to the active roster during April as Cairns continued to manage injuries.

At John Cain Arena on April 18, Jawai (4 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist) played alongside Ayre (20 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3 steals), who made four three-pointers and became the second player in Taipans history and third player during NBL22 to record at least 20 points and 10 assists in a game. Deng (16 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block) also contributed, while Goulding (27 points, 3 assists, and 1 block) led Melbourne to a 92-80 win.

Cairns completed the season without fielding its full roster in any game, but several of Forde’s younger players produced career-best campaigns. McCall (16.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 2 steals across 22 games) led the Taipans in scoring, assists and steals and shared the club MVP award with Machado (10.2 points, 3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists across 18 games). Deng (14.3 points and 4.7 rebounds across 28 games) finished second in scoring, while Zimmerman (11.4 points and 9.6 rebounds across 16 games) led the team in rebounding before a right-knee injury ended his season. Pinder (10.9 points and 7.6 rebounds across 28 games) was named the NBL’s Most Improved Player, Kuol (10.4 points across 28 games) made an Australian rookie-record 64 three-pointers and was named Rookie of the Year, and Noi (8.4 points and 4.6 rebounds across 16 games) was another main contributor.

Jawai’s seventh consecutive campaign with Cairns proved to be his final NBL season, with the Taipans deciding not to offer him another contract before he continued playing with Darwin in the NBL1 North.

Jawai’s final NBL appearance came at the Cairns Convention Centre on April 23, where he finished with 3 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block as McCall (42 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block) and Deng (30 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Cairns to a 112-98 win over Brisbane, while Franks (30 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) led the Bullets. The victory completed Cairns’ first 4-0 Sunshine Stoush sweep, produced the highest team score of NBL22 and saw the Taipans finish ninth with a 9-19 record.

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Nathan Jawai played eight seasons in the NBL. He averaged 10 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 212 NBL games.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Nate Jawai was one of the most physical players the NBL has seen 👊

Check out his mixtape 📼 pic.twitter.com/tc7qEC7F73

— NBL (@NBL) June 19, 2024