Jawai savours another shot in green and gold
SHOULDER, foot and finger surgery.
Throw in a sore knee late last season, too.
The countless injury mountains Cairns centre Nate Jawai has overcome over the past three seasons to return to the green and gold tonight are out of this world.
On many occasions the big man, who is leading the NBL in field goal percentage this season, would have had to wonder if his time representing his country was finished, such was the injury toll his body has taken since he resigned with his home town club.
It all started when he returned from his last Boomers camp in 2016, busting a finger in a training accident that saw him miss NBL games, before again spending extended time on the sidelines with a surgically repaired shoulder and foot.
Speaking from Boomers camp in Melbourne this week, the father of two says the foot injury, in Round 1 of the 2017-18 season, was physically, as well as mentally, the hardest to come back from.
After his first surgery set back his return season in orange, Jawai furiously attacked his second preseason in the Far North, returning in some of the best shape he has been in, before he was cruelly cut down in the opening game of the season.
When he landed awkwardly on his left foot that night, Jawai was dominating the game with 12 points and five rebounds late in the second quarter.
“I was in such good shape for the season, then I hurt the foot, it was more mental for me,” Jawai said.
“I was upset about how that could happen in Round 1 after I had put the work in.
“It was upsetting and so tough mentally.
“Coming back, my foot was still hurting and I had to change a few things with my shoes.
“That was the hardest one, emotionally and physically, for me to get back to playing.”
While much of the credit must go to the 32-year-old from Bamaga for putting in the work in the off-season to get himself back in the Boomers squad, Jawai was quick to praise his teammates and coaching staff for their efforts in helping his dynamic 2018-19 NBL campaign through nine games.
His club, the Taipans are not doing much winning, but Jawai has been a bright spot throughout, collecting almost 11 points and six rebounds a night.
“It is a pretty crazy achievement after going through all those surgeries, setbacks and injuries,” he said. “Now, I am more focused on my preseason training coming in healthy.
“I am proud to get the callup to come back in.”
Jawai last pulled on the green and gold in a game in 2015 and has previously represented the Boomers at the 2009 FIBA Oceania Championships and at the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain, where he averaged 4.4 points and three rebounds per game.
Australia take on Iran tonight and Qatar on Monday, with both matches at Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena.
Australia are top of Group F and need just one win to qualify for next year’s tournament in China, with tricky away games in Iran and Kazakhstan in February to come.
“Playing in front of our home fans is always such a special buzz and proud moment for everyone involved in the team – there is no better feeling in sport,” Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis said.
“Hopefully we can pack out Margaret Court Arena and make it a truly wonderful atmosphere for both games.”
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