NATHAN Jawai will not let uncertainty surrounding his NBA future cloud his mind when he steps on to the basketball court.
The 208cm Bamaga product was traded to the Dallas Mavericks by the Toronto Raptors in the NBA off-season but is still uncertain of his future with his new club.
Pictures: Nathan Jawai in Cairns
"It’s hard to have a guy on your roster that you haven’t seen play before and know a lot about," Jawai said of the Mavericks, who had representatives in South America watching the former Cairns Taipan when he played for the Boomers against Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay last month.
"I’m talking with my agent but I’m a Maverick right now. So whatever happens,
happens.
"I still haven’t heard anything from them so all I can do right now is have a good (northern) summer and perform well for the Boomers in the next couple of games and see where it’s at after that."
But Jawai is determined not to let the issue cloud his mind when he steps on court for the Boomers.
"I do care about my future but it is what it is. It’s a business, I can’t worry about it," he said.
"All I care about right now is playing.
"I think about it obviously, but I’m not going to let it worry my game.
"I’ll just play how I used to and get back to how I used to play and I’m positive that it will take place.
"If I get back to the form I had in the Taipans season I should be OK."
The Boomers head across the Tasman for the second match of the Oceania series in Wellington tomorrow and then back to the US where he has vowed to give himself the best chance to make the Mavs final roster.
"I’m going back for a little bit just to get myself in condition," he said.
"Just relaxing in LA with my agency – they have a workout place there for me and kicking back and trying to get into shape.
"I’m going to go back and give myself the best chance." Jawai has other options if he does not make the cut.
But the NBA is where he wants to be to add to the six games he played for the Raptors after being forced out for half the season when a red flag was raised after cardiac testing.
"If I don’t make it … the NBA’s not for a lot of people. But that’s where I want to be," he said.
"If I get kicked out of there, I can always go to Europe. Here’s probably an option, coming back to Australia.
"But coming back here is probably for the end of my career, so I’m looking to Europe.
"But I’m pretty confident now I won’t get cut and I’ll have another chance."
