The previous installment of this series was posted in October, just prior to the start of last season. I don't have much time this summer, but I will try to write a few more of these. If you are new to "From 1 to 35,535," you can search the CH archives to read a few. Here's the deal:
- I am profiling every retired ex-Timberwolf in order of minutes played for the team, from one minute to, eventually, KG's 35,535.
- I've done dozens and we are still on guys who were not substantial contributors to the Wolves, though often I find them more interesting precisely because they are generally lesser known to MN fans.
- I often take a stab at landing an interview with the player, but have only been successful 2-3 times.
- The title includes an anagram of the player's name, which I usually reveal towards the end of my post, so see if you can figure out whom I'm talking about before I tell you his name. 1000 Klaw Points every time you are successful; 5000 Klaw Points every time you fail.
Without further ado, here is today's profile...
This forward plays for a team in Turkey and is only 27 years old, so it's not impossible that he could return to the NBA and is therefor not yet eligible for this series. However, I'm willing to gamble that his days as a Wolf are over and that he shall never move up the " minutes played" list from his current 412.
Does his nickname give him away? It's Outback Shaq. Or Aussie Shaq. Or Baby Shaq.
He was born in Sydney, Australia (which is not in the Outback, but Harbor Shaq doesn't sound as cool), played at Midland College in his native country, and was selected in the second round of the 2008 draft by the Pacers. Shortly thereafter he was traded with Jermaine O'Neal to the Toronto Raptors, who played him a total of 19 minutes his rookie season.
After being fodder in a four team trade the next offseason, our man was traded by the Mavericks to the Wolves for a 2012 2nd round draft pick. But wait - since the pick was top 55 protected, Minnesota ended up getting him for free!
And you get what you pay for. He played in 39 games for MIN in the 2009-2010 season and then his NBA career flamed out. Or gently whimpered out. He left the NBA credited with one heave (but no heaves made).
In those 39 games played as a Wolf, he started two and the team went 5-34.
His career path since leaving Our League has been Sioux Falls---Serbia---Russia---Australia---Barcelona---Turkey, where he played only two games last season before being hospitalized with dizziness and back/neck pain.
And while this post was still in draft mode, a new article about our mystery man appeared online, courtesy of the Sydney Herald. It's good news, too, he has recovered enough to play for Australia in the upcoming World Cup, which has been his dream.
If you don't know whom I am talking about or can't recall his name, his twitter handle gives it away: @natejawai
Anyone have fond memories of seeing Jawai in a Wolves uniform? Do tell!