SHORELINE, Wash. — Josh Hawkinson, who was born in Shoreline and played collegiately at Washington State University, is part of the Paris Olympics as a member of Team Japan. After playing professionally for the past seven years, Hawkinson formally became a citizen of Japan last year.
At his first Olympic Games, Hawkinson's two biggest fans -- who happen to be his mother and father -- are there to cheer him and the Japanese National Team on.
Nels Hawkinson always had a fun relationship with his son, Josh. Nels was a college basketball player at Trinity Western University before playing professionally overseas. Nancy Hawkinson also played for the University of Washington before going on to her own professional hoops career.
"There was a stepping stone to this and most of the time I think most families it's like, just straight to one-on-one with the dad but you know, you gotta get through mom first in order to get to dad, but if we're talking career-wise, mom, surpassed dad. That was not even close," Josh told KING 5's Chris Egan.
Despite basically being born for the hardwood, Hawkinson's parents never pushed him to solely focus on basketball, instead encouraging him to try all sports.
"Originally, you know, growing up I was a lot better I think at baseball than basketball," Hawkinson said. "Just I think, you know, it takes a while to grow in your body as a basketball player as a big man. You know, kind of long, lanky didn't really have full control of my movements playing basketball, but I was a pitcher. So it was a little bit easier to, I guess throw a baseball and to you know, make coordinated movements on the basketball floor. So I think until I focused more on basketball, that's when I really started to get a lot better and grow in the game of basketball."
At Washington State, Hawkinson took his game to a new level. It didn't hurt that he had two parents who understood what it takes to be successful and navigate the highs and lows of college basketball.
"I think just having someone who has been there, has been through the things that you're going through now is kind of integral in that process because, you know, they can kind of help you along the way with the things that you're going through because you know, they've been through the same things," Hawkinson said.
Hawkinson blossomed as a Cougar and eventually became the leading rebounder in WSU history. He credits his dad for helping him learn how to play in the paint, but Josh says his mom taught him how to put up points.
"I didn't want dad's shot I will tell you that, I wanted mom's shot, mom was a real baller. She's got the smooth shot. She got the smooth shot," Hawkinson said.
Now one of the top professional basketball players in Japan, Hawkinson has earned his spot in the Paris Olympics. In addition to being a WSU legend and an Olympian, Hawkinson's parents say he is a pretty great son.
"Now he's starting center for the Japan national team, wow, God is good," Nels Hawkinson said.
"From a momma's heart, he is still who he's always been, he's never changed, humble, funny, but it will be really cool to go the Olympics." Nancy Hawkinson told KING 5 prior to the Olympic Games.