JaVale McGee is embracing a new challenge in the final stages of his professional career, taking his talents to Australia after 16 seasons in the NBA. The veteran center signed a one-year deal with the Illawarra Hawks, the reigning NBL champions, and says the move is about more than just basketball.
Speaking to the Geelong Advertiser, McGee explained his motivation to cross the globe at age 37. “I was in the NBA for 16 years and I always had a hint of jealousy towards the European players because they get to go to different countries and really explore,” McGee said. “I never really had that opportunity, so when this opportunity came up to come to Australia … I jumped straight on it.”
The 7-footer has spent time with 10 different NBA franchises, earning three championship rings with the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018, and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. He played alongside some of the game’s biggest stars, including LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant.
McGee last suited up in the NBA for the Sacramento Kings during the 2023–24 season, where he averaged 4.0 points and 2.7 rebounds in limited minutes over 46 games. Earlier this year, he had a short stint in Puerto Rico with Vaqueros de Bayamon before finalizing his move to Australia.
In his NBA career, McGee appeared in 909 regular-season games, averaging 7.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per contest while shooting nearly 58 percent from the field. His ability to protect the rim and finish around the basket helped him carve out a long and successful run in the league.
