Chat with Westlake senior Joel Cannatti

Westlake basketball player Joel Cannatti in Austin, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

Faces off the field gives a deep look into the thoughts and lives of high school athletes in the Austin area. Today we feature Westlake basketball player Joel Cannatti, who aspires to go to Italy someday to experience the culture and food.

All about Joel: going thrifting, dominating at Nertz

Tell something about you that most people don’t know.

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I am a fashion junkie at heart and love to go thrifting with my friends and create different types of unique outfits for them to wear.

If you could visit any country in the world, where would you go?

It would be Italy. My family is originally from there and to visit would be really cool. I hear the scenery there is beautiful and the food is also amazing. Also, the culture is very diverse and offers a lot of things that I would not be able to experience here in Texas.

What are you really good at besides sports?

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I’m really good at this card game that my family plays called Nertz. I have played it since I was like 5 and I still play whenever I hang out with my grandparents and cousins.

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Westlake basketball player Joel Cannatti in Austin, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

Who’s up for a Westlake state championship?

What are your personal and team goals for the season?

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Obviously, I want our team to make a deep playoff run, hopefully ending in Westlake’s first basketball state championship. This year one of my personal goals as a player is to make an all-district team.

What is your favorite memory of Westlake basketball?

My favorite memory of Westlake basketball has to be the Cy-Hoops Invitational Tournament. We got to play on a big stage in a cool arena and the trip was really fun as well. Also, we did pretty good as a team, going 3-1.

Has basketball taught you any lessons that you apply to daily life?

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Basketball has taught me how to treat others and to get along with people. Also, I have learned how to deal with adversity on and off the court, making myself and those around me better.

Westlake basketball players Blake and Joel Cannatti in Austin, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

If you could play for any NBA team in the future, who would it be?

It would have to be the Washington Wizards to bring glory back to the place I was born. They haven’t had very good seasons since the John Wall and Bradley Beal years, so having a winning season would be amazing.

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Your brother Blake is also on the team. What’s it like to have him as a teammate?

Having my twin brother on the team is really cool. We are able to see things very similarly and know each other’s games so well that we are always there to hold one another accountable and encourage each other through the ups and downs.

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Hendrickson basketball player Trinity Jackson-Wilkins in Austin, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.

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Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Westlake basketball player Tamia King in Austin, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.

Westlake basketball player Tamia King in Austin, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Westlake basketball players Joel and Blake Cannatti in Austin, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.

Westlake basketball players Joel and Blake Cannatti in Austin, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.

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Anderson volleyball player Elaine Harrison in Austin, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Crockett basketball player Lauren Smith in Austin, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.

Crockett basketball player Lauren Smith in Austin, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Crockett basketball players Lauren and Aliyah Smith in Austin, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.

Crockett basketball players Lauren and Aliyah Smith in Austin, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Crockett basketball player Aliyah Smith in Austin, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.

Crockett basketball player Aliyah Smith in Austin, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.

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Georgetown basketball player Taylor Prater in Austin, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.

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Rouse football player Daniel Rybarski in Austin, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Rouse volleyball player Addison Lundquist in Austin, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.

Rouse volleyball player Addison Lundquist in Austin, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Westlake basketball player Blake Cannatti in Austin, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.

Westlake basketball player Blake Cannatti in Austin, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.

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