Washington State Alum Josh Hawkinson Posts Double-Double in Japan Olympics Loss

Joe Londergan | Jul 27, 2024

Feb 26, 2017; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington State Cougars forward Josh Hawkinson (24) looks on prior to being introduce before a game against the Washington Huskies at Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports / James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Washington State's Josh Hawkinson helped lead the Japanese basketball team in their first matchup of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Saturday morning. Japan fell to defending FIBA champions Germany by a final score of 97-77. Despite the score, it was a fairly strong Olympic debut for the Cougs' all-time leader in double-doubles.

In the loss, Hawkinson finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds along with 2 assists. The former Cougar center played just over 35 minutes in the start, going 4/5 from the field and 5/6 from the free throw line. He also posted two steals and turned the ball over three times.

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Franz Wagner, who plays professionally for the Orlando Magic, was the game's leading scorer with 22 points.

Hawkinson, a Seattle native, is a citizen of Japan where he has played professionally since 2017. He played for the Cougars 2013-2017 and finished as WSU's all-time rebounds leader and all-time leader in double-doubles.

Japan continues their Olympic slate on Tuesday, July 30 with another difficult matchup against hosts France, who have several NBA veterans on the roster, along with reigning rookie of the year Victor Wembanyama. That game is scheduled for 11:15 AM ET/8:15 AM PT.