Jawann Erick Oldham

             July 4, 1957 – January 4, 2026

Jawann Oldham was born on Independence Day, July 4, 1957 in Chicago, Illinois to Cecil Oldham and Barbara Taylor Oldham. In 1959, the family migrated to “The Emerald City”, where he attended Horace Mann Elementary in Seattle’s Central Area. A move to Beacon Hill allowed Jawann to enroll at Asa Mercer Middle School. He stood out as the lanky kid who carried a briefcase to school every day - an image that rapidly changed in seventh grade when Jawann discovered his love of basketball. He stood out as a blossoming superstar.

The middle schooler became a high school phenom, who dominated the basketball court at Grover Cleveland High School. The naturally gifted 7-foot center and his teammates won back-to-back Washington state championships in 1975 and 1976. Under the tutelage of coaches Frank Ahern and Frank Harrison, they were heralded as “The Team of the Century” for winning 50 games and losing only one. Cleveland retired Jawann’s jersey in 2011.

He attended Seattle University on a basketball scholarship, where he continued to excel as a SU Chieftain. Jawann finished his college career with 1,530 points and 965 rebounds - second on SU’s all-time rebounding list behind Elgin Baylor. That would earn him a place in the university’s Hall of Fame and a shot at playing in the National Basketball Association.

Jawann played ten NBA seasons, starting as the 41st overall pick in the 1980 draft, selected by the Denver Nuggets, followed by seven franchises which included the Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Sacramento Kings, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, and Indiana Pacers. In 1980, he also received an Olympic Team USA gold medal.

Jawann concluded his playing years with the CBA, then migrated to Japan, China, and the United Arab Emirates, championing a potential overseas basketball association. He co-founded the Olympic Gold Player Developmental Basketball Academy and trained thousands of children and teens to develop the fundamental basketball skills he was taught.

Jawann is survived by his sisters, Constance Porter, Charlene Day, Michelle Culbertson, Vernetta “TC” Oldham, Zelora Oldham, his brother, Reginald Day, his daughter, Jasmine (Marques), three grandchildren, Joseph, Messiah and Lennox and a host of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and four siblings.

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