Indiana picks up Jawai
NATHAN Jawai has been picked by the Indiana Pacers at No.41 in the NBA draft
Jawai was overlooked in the first round of the NBA draft held in New York this morning but the fact he was not one of the top 30 players picked does not end Jawai’s dream.
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Jawai could end up in Toronto, with the Raptors doing a proposed deal with the Pacers for the No.41 pick.
But as a second-round pick, 21-year-old Jawai, the Cairns Taipan and NBL rookie of the year will not have a guaranteed NBA contract. As an early second-round choice, he may still see NBA time next season.
He could also be farmed out to a team in Europe, or kept in the NBL in Australia until he is deemed "NBA ready’".
Jawai told The Cairns Post on Thursday he would be disappointed to miss out on the first round but it would certainly not end his NBA dream.
“I’ll be disappointed but I guess there’s nothing you can do about that,’’ Jawai said.
“But for me it could be a good thing because I’ll be more hungry.’’
Regardless of his position, Jawai is proud of the work he has done over the past month while in the US.
“I've gotten better as a player and a person,’" he said.
“My fitness level’s gone up and is better than when I was at the Taipans and my skill level is better.
“I've definitely improved since I’ve been here."
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Picked: Indiana has snapped up Nathan Jawai.
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