SHORELINE, Wash. — A former Washington State star is living out his Olympic hoop dreams this summer.
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) allows one naturalized player to be on the roster of a national team. Josh Hawkinson grew up in Shoreline and went to Shorewood High School, but he's spent the past seven years playing professional basketball in Japan. Hawkinson became a Japanese citizen in 2023 and will play for the team at the Paris Olympics.
Hawkinson's basketball career took off in Pullman. At Washington State, he became the school's all-time leader in rebounds and double-doubles.
"Playing in the Pac-12 you're playing against, you know, future NBA players, first-round draft picks, NBA superstars, so, you know, on a nightly basis you're playing against those guys and that definitely makes you better and you are put into the spotlight to compete against those type of guys, so it's a really great opportunity," Hawkinson said.
He loved his time at Washington State, but Hawkinson fell in love with basketball long before he wore the crimson and gray.
"I think the word ball was just always integrated into my life from a really early age," Hawkinson said. "I think ball was my first ever word. Growing up and having parents who both played professional basketball, it's kind of just in your blood and your nature to play the game."
After Washington State, he dreamed of playing in the NBA.
"When it came time for the draft process, I worked out for like four or five NBA teams," Hawkinson said. "And unfortunately, I wasn't, you know, selected in the NBA draft."
So, he moved to Japan and began his professional career there.
"I think at first, I was really homesick, and I didn't really know what to expect living by myself," Hawkinson said. "My parents came a bunch of times my first year and kind of helped me kind of assimilate into, you know, living in a different country by yourself and how to how to do those type of things."
Hawkinson embraced the culture and even learned the language. But he prefers to do most of his talking on the court. Now, going into his 8th season, Josh is one of the best players in the league.
"It's been an incredible opportunity and an experience just kind of trying to raise the level of Japanese basketball and seeing how much the game has grown there," Hawkinson said. "So, I'm kind of really proud of the fact that, you know, I'm a part of that."
And thanks to his 6-foot-10 frame, he's become somewhat of a superstar.
"I remember, you know, stepping out of a cab with one of my friends," Hawkinson said. "We weren't even outside of the cab and there was like a line of like 15 people waiting outside the cab and I was like; I was not ready for that at all. So um, that's definitely life-changing."
Hawkinson's rock star status grew after he helped Japan qualify for the Paris Olympics. He averaged over 21 points and 11 rebounds during the World Cup.
"It was like the first time in 60-70 years we've been able to outright qualify for the Olympics," Hawkinson said. "It's such an amazing feeling, especially because it was in Japan as well. Having the support of the Japanese people behind you, looking to stands, they were moved to tears just from our performance. So, I mean, it's so cool to be a part of that."
Now, it's on to Paris.
"I'm really excited to be a part of it and there's only a handful of people who get the opportunity to be Olympians and just more so looking forward to the process of it," Hawkinson said.
Only 12 men's basketball teams make the Olympics. Right now, Japan is in a bracket with the World Cup champs from Germany and a French team that features a couple of NBA stars.
"Now he's the starting center for the Japan national team," said Nels Hawkinson, Josh's father. "Wow, never would have thought that. God is good, just really great. Never stop working, and never stop following your dreams."
The USA men's and women's basketball teams will be the favorites to win gold in Paris, but several other teams will have players from the Pacific Northwest on their rosters.
Former Eastside Catholic and University of Washington star Matisse Thybulle is expected to play for Australia. Sam Whitcomb and Ezi Magbegor from the Seattle Storm will also play for Australia.