For the first time in his life, three-time NBA champion JaVale McGee will be trading a traditional white Christmas for a sun-drenched Australian summer. The Illawarra Hawks centre, more accustomed to cold winter festivities, is eagerly anticipating the unique experience of celebrating the holidays in Wollongong with his family by his side.
Family, Festivities and a Hot Holiday
The 37-year-old American basketball star is set for a season of firsts. "It's been cold most of the time, so it's gonna be a crazy Christmas, just how hot it's gonna be," McGee remarked, highlighting the stark contrast to his usual winter celebrations. His long-term partner, Giselle Ramirez, and their two children will be joining him in Australia, ensuring the holiday still feels like home. "My family is coming, so that's pretty cool," he said, with plans to show them around the Illawarra region.
From Beaches to Basketball: McGee's Aussie Adventures
Since arriving in Australia to play for the Hawks in the NBL, McGee has been ticking items off a personal bucket list. He expressed awe at the country's coastal beauty, noting, "The beaches are unbelievable... every city has a beach, which is unfathomable to me." While he still hopes to cuddle a koala and kangaroo, he's already explored "beautiful" golf courses and cities, declaring Wollongong his favourite spot, with Perth a close second.
On the court, the 7'1 centre has been a powerhouse for the Hawks, putting up MVP-calibre numbers despite the team's current eighth-place standing with a 6-10 record. He is considered a genuine contender for the NBL26 MVP award, alongside reigning winner Bryce Cotton.
A Crucial Christmas Clash on the Court
The festive fun will have a serious sporting interlude. Before any shrimp hits the barbie, McGee and the Hawks face a pivotal Christmas Day showdown in Sydney, renewing their Freeway Series rivalry with the Sydney Kings. This high-stakes game comes amidst a packed schedule, with matches against Melbourne United this Thursday and a home game against the league-leading Adelaide 36ers on Saturday.
McGee is acutely aware of the pressure to turn the Hawks' season around. "We understand each loss puts us further and further back from being able to make the playoffs," he stated. The team's strategy is focused on a game-by-game approach, hoping to string together a winning streak to secure a postseason berth.
Reflecting on his Australian journey, McGee expressed gratitude for the unique opportunity, saying, "I'm definitely glad I'm here... I get to go to nine different cities multiple times and also New Zealand and Tasmania and places that I probably wouldn't have just vacationed at." For JaVale McGee, this summer Christmas is shaping up to be one for the memory books, both on and off the hardwood.
