Nathan Jawai (born October 10, 1986) is an Indigenous Australian professional basketball player who currently plays for the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA.
In the 2007-08 NBL season, Jawai averaged 17.26 points per game, 9.39 rebounds per game and 1 block per game in 30 minutes and shot 57% from the field making him second in the league. His NBL career high for points is 28, rebounds 18, and blocks is 3. He was drafted 41st overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers; however, his rights were traded to the Toronto Raptors in a deal that also brought Jermaine O'Neal to Toronto for T. J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovič, Maceo Baston, and the Raptors' 17th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft who turned out to be Roy Hibbert.
Soon after the trade the Raptors announced they had signed Jawai to a two-year deal on July 11, 2008.
Nicknamed the "Aussie Shaq" or "Baby Shaq" due to his resemblance to Shaquille O'Neal, Jawai claims to not like the nicknames or comparisons to O'Neal. He is also nicknamed by TSN Commentators 'Big Nate'
On 17 December 2008, Nathan was cleared to resume training after enduring a worrisome period in which he was not allowed to undergo physical activity. Jawai was required to 'rest', due to a routine pre-season test, revealing a cardiac abnormality.
On January 21, 2009, Jawai made his NBA debut against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
On February 26, 2009, Jawai was assigned by the Toronto Raptors to the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League. In his first start (his second game), he registered 12 points, 5 rebounds and a team-high 3 blocks in a 104–96 Idaho win over Utah. Jawai was recalled from the D-League on March 23, 2009.
On July 9, 2009, Nathan Jawai was traded to the Dallas Mavericks as a part of the four-team deal among Raptors, Mavericks, Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies.
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