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Former WSU Cougar Josh Hawkinson Headed To Paris Olympics With Japan National Team

Joe Londergan

Feb 26, 2017; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington State Cougars forward Josh Hawkinson (24) celebrates with the student section after a win over the Washington Huskies at Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum. The Cougars won 79-71. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2017; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington State Cougars forward Josh Hawkinson (24) celebrates with the student section after a win over the Washington Huskies at Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum. The Cougars won 79-71. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports / James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Another former Cougar will be making their first trip to the Olympics this summer.

Ex-Cougar basketball star Josh Hawkinson will represent Japan at the 2024 Paris Olympics after being named to the national team's roster this week. In 2023, Hawkinson, a Seattle native, became a citizen of Japan where he has played professionally since 2017.

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Hawkinson played for the Cougars 2013-2017 and finished as WSU's all-time rebounds leader and all-time leader in double-doubles. Hawkinson averaged a double-double in points and rebounds as a sophomore, junior and senior in Pullman. He made 88 starts under then-head coach Ernie Kent. He is tenth on the WSU all-time scoring list with 1414 points.

After graduating, Hawkinson has played the last seven seasons professionally in Japan. He became a naturalized citizen and joined the Japanese national team for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Japan's group at the Paris Olympics will include France, Germany, and Brazil. They will play their first group stage game on July 27.

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Joe Londergan
JOE LONDERGAN

Joe Londergan joined the SI brand in 2023 with G5 Football Daily. With over 15 years of experience in covering and working directly in college and pro sports, Joe's expertise has been featured in Front Office Sports, SB Nation, and XRAY.FM. He is a member of both the Football Writers' Association of America and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Association. Joe holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Louisville and a master's degree in sports administration from Seattle University. Outside of his writing career, Joe enjoys golfing, although he admits that while he hits driver decently, his short game is a liability.

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