Nathan Jawai to play on with Darwin Salties

Giovanni Torre Published February 27, 2023 at 6.00am (AWST)

sport

Nathan Jawai. Photo credit: NT News.

Torres Strait Islander basketballer Nathan Jawai has signed on for a second season with the Darwin Salties.

Jawai first signed on for Darwin in 2022, the team's first NBL1 season.

On Sunday NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles joined Jawai at a Salties event, as the club also announced the Chief Minister will become their inaugural No.1 ticket holder this season.

The NBL1 season begins Saturday 25 March, with the Salties men and women set to play nine home games in their second season in the North division.

NBL1 is the second-highest domestic basketball competition in Australia, being the division below the full-time professional NBL and WNBL level, and features 70 NBL1 Clubs across Australia.

Power forward and centre Jawai, 36, has played for several NBL clubs and in 2008 became the first Indigenous player to be drafted into the NBA, in which he played 45 games across stints at Toronto and Minnesota. He also enjoyed a significant career in Europe.

The Darwin Salties had the highest attendance of any NBL1 club and the most digital views during the 2022 season.

Darwin Basketball Stadium has been upgraded for season 2023, with a new portable grandstand increasing capacity to 1,200.

Saltie's Men Coach, Matt Flinn said the 209cm veteran Jawai staying at the club is a "key signing".

"Nathan Jawai has signed on for season two, which is really important for the men's team and franchise, and it's great that the club can announce the Chief Minister as our inaugural No.1 ticket holder," he said.

"Our second season in NBL1 is shaping up to be very exciting and there's a lot of interest surrounding the Salties ahead of our first games in March."

Chief Minister Fyles noted the Territory government's support for the Darwin club through the Community Benefit Fund and The Territory Boundless Possible sponsorship.

"Territory kids can now see what is possible and are striving to one day become a Salties player. The men played finals in their first NBL1 season and women's team performed extraordinary for their first season as well," she said.

"In season two, I am very excited to be the Salties inaugural No.1 ticket holder – I think they are a fantastic club, and really symbolise what it means to be Territory proud."