Aussie Shaq

[ex carrabba fan]

Not the best scout video, but he's expected to go late first or early second as of today. Looks like the Raptors sent some personnel to get more info recently. With his size I think his stock could soar if he shows good things in pre-draft workouts. Court_Vision, care to shed any light?

Edit: And no, I don't think he's anywhere near Shaq's level at that age [21].

Nathan Jawai:

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[dossier]

Re: Aussie Shaq

nowhere near to Shaq at any level. Maybe if you said Al Jefferson

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Aussie Shaq

I see a little of Al definitely.

I didn't give him that nickname though.

[Court_vision]

Re: Aussie Shaq

Not the best scout video, but he's expected to go late first or early second as of today. Looks like the Raptors sent some personnel to get more info recently. With his size I think his stock could soar if he shows good things in pre-draft workouts. Court_Vision, care to shed any light?

Edit: And no, I don't think he's anywhere near Shaq's level at that age [21].

Nathan Jawai:

I've been out of Australia for close on two years now bro...so I'm not that up to date on the locals any more.

I have asked some friends (one who scouts basketball players) and they're basically saying "project". 3 years.

With his size, some team is bound to roll the dice.

I know the national team coaches think highly of him.

If a team has a pick around number 20...they'd be crazy not to consider him.

Hype is a crazy thing though. He could get overhyped and go a lot higher.

He's a Torres Straight Islander. That's one of the most laid back, calm, places on this planet.

A world away from a big city like Sydney.

As sportsmen, those guys normally have either extremely extroverted personalities as sportsmen OR extremely introverted / very shy / polite type personalities. There's rarely any "in between".

To make the NBA he may need to be an extroverted type. Brash, confident etc.

I've seen tonnes of Torres straight guys in other sports fade away after looking good as teenagers as they simply can't adjust to the city type lifestyle.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Aussie Shaq

Interesting insight CV. He seems really laid back from that little video. Not much emotion.. so I think you're on to something.. but who knows. The fact that he's so young and looks pretty fluid is what caught my eye.

[Court_vision]

Re: Aussie Shaq

To give you an idea about the Torres strait islands



With PG Patrick Mills...I guy I personally think WILL make the NBA.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Aussie Shaq

Awesome CV.

And CJ Mills is a player. I JUST saw him play for St. Mary's in their great home win over Gonzaga. He's only a frosh, but doesn't play like it.

[Jonesy]

Re: Aussie Shaq

I've seen Jawai play a few times as his team and my home team are in the same state and play a few times per year (I live in Townsville and have seen his team the Cairns Taipans play against my Townsville Crocs a few times). He is an amazing athlete for his size and has some surprisingly smooth low post moves in his aresenal but i don't see him being anywhere near as successful at the nba level.

In his current situation he can simply bully everyone out of the way and is usually the most athletic player on the court but that certainly won't be the case in the nba.

I'd love to see him make the league and he probably has the best shot of any current Aussie of being successful in the L since Luc Longley (Patrick Mills is awesome but he's a bit of a tweener imo).

From what i have heard he didn't even start playing bball untill he was into his late teens so he is still learning and he has the "potential" so you never know.

[NoSkillz50]

Re: Aussie Shaq

I love how he gives a guy a high five after he throws the guys shot into the stands.