Javon Webster (Oneida/Menominee): Leading the Oneida Nation HS Thunderhawks

By Dan Ninham (Oneida)

Javon Webster is a 6-4 junior center and small forward playing for Oneida Nation High School in Oneida, WI. In his sophomore year he was selected Second Team M&O All Conference. He was eighth in the league in scoring at 14.3 ppg, second in rebounding with 9 rpg and he led the league in blocks with 22.

The varsity boys’ basketball team record is currently 4-2.  Javon average 22 points per game, 2.0 assists per game and 8.5 rebounds per game.

Javon is Oneida and Menominee and he originally is from Green Bay, Wisconsin. His mom’s name is Diana Caldwell and she is Menominee, and his dad’s name is Onikwintala Webster and he is Oneida and Menominee. Javon lives with his mother in Green Bay and his father lives in Oneida.

“Javon loves basketball and it has always been his passion,” said mom Diana Caldwell. “He decided to go to Southwest HS during freshman year and it is a Wisconsin D2 school. He wants to play in college, so he thought that would be better for him.”

“His coach at Southwest HS emailed me and wanted me know what a very nice young man Javon was,” said Diana. “The boys on the basketball team were not doing well, and a lot of Javon’s teammates quit. Javon told the coach, “My momma didn’t raise no quitter’ and the coach told me that Javon stayed with the team despite the other kids telling him to quit.”

“My son has a heart of gold and as a single parent of three boys, I want to make his dream come true. I do whatever it takes to help him follow his dream,” added Diana.

“Javon’s coach is Jamison King and he has been such an awesome coach and mentor for him,” said Diana. “Javon left Southwest HS to go to Oneida Nation HS his sophomore year. His passion and drive for basketball has been amazing at Oneida. Javon played AAU Basketball with the Wisconsin Blizzards this past year. It was an amazing experience for him and the bond he created with other elite athletes is awesome. His team went all the way to the championship game at the Chicago Summer Jam but ended up in second place.”

“Javon helps me and is a very good role model for his younger brothers Kingston Webster (11) and Armani Walensa (5). His younger brothers love basketball too and they look up to Javon which is an awesome feeling,” added Diana.

“My son Javon has been influenced by basketball through his family and the college and NBA teams,” said dad Onikwintala Webster.  “Javon and I played together as he grew up and I taught him a lot about the game. He has always been a leader on the court and one of his biggest inspirations and leaders was his mom. She always helped him be the best he could be. He played in AAU and for Lombardi Middle School. I want my son to be a leader on the court as well as off. I taught him self-discipline and self-confidence to be a team player. Education is the key to his success and without that he cannot play ball. I always told him to do good academically. I’m so proud of him as a dad.”

“My tribal core values are being proud to be who I am and where I am from,” said Javon. “It keeps me on a straight path for success to show respect and responsibility, and to do my work in the classroom so that I can get the work done on the court. “Hard work and commitment defined me as a student-athlete.”

“My step-brother Martin positively influenced me to play basketball and helped train me,” said Javon. “He has always been there to support me and keep me on track to play the game. He always played me to get me better and critiquing my game.”

“Coach Jameson King has been there helping me a long time since Lombardi Middle School. He was a teacher that I used to go to since he’s my coach and uncle. He has always been supportive and pushy but in a good way. He pushes me to my limits and to make me better.”

“This is the second year I’m coaching Javon,” said Coach Jamison King. “He has the potential to be great on and off the court. He has faced some challenges in his young life off the court, but he is continuing to learn and strive despite those challenges.” 

“Javon is the most talented kid we’ve had at Oneida in my four years coaching here.  He has the ability to play at the next level, and I know that is a goal of his. He’s a very vocal kid and I believe he has a lot of influence on his peers, that is something I hope he realizes and takes advantage of the opportunity he has to achieve and be an example of greatness throughout his life on and off the court,” added Coach Jamison. 

“Skill set-wise, he is 6-3,” said Coach Jamison. “He can shoot outside a little, play inside pretty well, a very good rebounder, and can handle the ball. He’s a junior and has time and room to improve those aspects of his game, and when he does, he will be a handful for any defense.”

“You have to want to work for it and push for it to make it happen,” said Javon. “It won’t be handed to you all the time and the things that I have achieved I have worked very hard for.”

“The advice I give to other student-athletes is that you must work in the classroom as hard as you do in your sport,” said Javon. “You have to be coachable and teachable. You have to work hard, be committed fully and never give up.” 

Photo Credit: D.King of Images