Haruaki Tanaka is using his experience in 3×3 to lead the team
Takahashi Miku turns the lessons learned from the OQT into confidence
The FIBA 3×3 U23 Nations League 2024 (Asia 2) kicked off today, June 10th (Mon) in Handan, China. The 3×3 men’s and women’s U23 Japan national team will compete against six teams from China, Mongolia, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and the Philippines in six tournaments over the course of a week. A champion will be decided each day, and the overall winner of the six tournaments will be given the right to participate in the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup 2024 to be held in Mongolia in September.
In May of this year, the FIBA 3×3 Universality Olympic Qualifier 2 (UOQT2) was held in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, and the FIBA 3×3 Olympic Final Qualifier (OQT) was held in Hungary, with the participation rights to the Paris 2024 Olympics at stake. However, they were unable to seize either opportunity. Miku Takahashi (DENSO IRIS), who participated in the OQT, said, “Japan was winning in terms of speed. However, when the opponent physically hit us or kept up with us defensively, it became a tough shot, so our shots fell and the rebounds were taken. We were able to induce the opponent to miss shots on defense, but the issue is that we ended up losing the rebounds. If we can work on that, I think we can beat the world.” She is confident and is starting afresh for four years from now.
Tanaka Harue (Komazawa University, ALPHAS.EXE), who has been involved with the Japanese national team both as a candidate player and as an opponent before the tournament, also sees a path to victory, saying, “This time we went in with our best members, and still we weren’t able to secure a ticket to the Olympics. But there were many instances where we looked like we could have won, so if we continue to raise Japan’s standard even more and continue to hone the basketball we showed in UOQT2 and OQT, we will definitely be able to beat opponents from around the world. I would like to follow the good parts of that and raise the level of this team as well.”
Takahashi has a good chance of scoring three-point shots in the W League, but he has some difficulties, saying, “Even in five-player games, the loop is quite low, so it feels like it’s just barely reaching the target.” In the case of 3×3, the size is the same, but the ball is the same weight as a No. 7 ball, and “it can’t reach the target, and sometimes it’s still an air ball, so I feel that it’s difficult.” The inside of the semicircle is worth one point, and the outside is worth two points, so for a small Japanese team, long-range shots are the key to victory, even more so than in five-player games.
Takahashi also understands the importance of this, saying, “Even during the OQT, Takada (Shizu) is good at driving, so I knew I would definitely need to practice the outside shot, and I practiced the two-point shot. I also want to make the most of my driving ability, so I think that by taking the shot from the outside first, it will be easier to get past my opponent.”By continuing to practice, he is gradually overcoming the burden.
Tanaka has gained experience in 3×3 as a member of the Komazawa University basketball team, ALPHAS.EXE and the Japanese national team. In this tournament, he will be leading the team as a university student, and he said, “I want to solve each problem in the game. But the most important thing is to enjoy 3×3. That’s really important. I want to keep talking to each other as a group of five and improve my level both mentally and physically.” He actively tried to communicate with the team even during practice.
In fact, after practice, the players formed a circle around Tanaka and shared their challenges, saying, “I have a slight advantage in terms of experience, so I share what I think might be best, and then everyone gives their opinions.We talk to each other and find better plays.”
Tanaka participated in the FIBA 3×3 U21 Nations League last year and said, “It’s an extremely tough tournament, with six tournaments in seven days. Considering the fact that we had to play in such hot weather, the thing I’ve grown the most is my mentality. 3×3 only lasts 10 minutes, so I think of it as a battle with myself. As a team, we all have to work together while fighting against ourselves, and by playing the Japanese style of basketball, this is a stage where we can definitely grow.” He is also looking to achieve results.
The team with the most wins in the six tournaments will be the overall champion and will qualify to participate in the FIBA U23 World Cup. In order to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games four years from now, the team must continue to play on the world stage, earn points, and improve their rankings. Having experienced disappointment on the OQT court, Takahashi is now ready to begin a new battle, saying, “I will win every tournament every day, absolutely take the top spot, and earn the right to participate in the World Cup.”
■FIBA 3×3 U23 Nations League 2024 (Asia 2)
All matches in this tournament will be streamed live on FIBA’s official YouTube channel.
[STOP1]Monday, June 10
17:50[Women]Japan vs Philippines
18:15[Men’s]Japan vs Philippines
19:40[Women]Japan vs Mongolia
20:05[Men’s]Japan vs Mongolia
22:10[Women’s]Final
22:35[Men’s]Final
[STOP2]June 11th (Tuesday)
19:40[Women]Japan vs Philippines
20:05[Men’s]Japan vs Philippines
21:30［Women］Japan vs China
21:55［Men］Japan vs China
22:30[Women’s]Final
22:55[Men’s]Final
【STOP3】June 12 (Wednesday)
18:50[Women]Japan vs Kazakhstan
19:15[Men’s]Japan vs Kazakhstan
20:40［Women］Japan vs China
21:05［Men］Japan vs China
22:30[Women’s]Final
22:55[Men’s]Final
[STOP4]June 14th (Friday)
19:40[Women]Japan vs Philippines
20:05[Men’s]Japan vs Philippines
21:30[Women]Japan vs Mongolia
21:55[Men’s]Japan vs Mongolia
22:30[Women’s]Final
22:55[Men’s]Final
[STOP5]June 15th (Saturday)
19:40[Women]Japan vs Philippines
20:05[Men’s]Japan vs Philippines
21:30［Women］Japan vs China
21:55［Men］Japan vs China
22:30[Women’s]Final
22:55[Men’s]Final
[STOP6]June 16th (Sun)
18:50[Women]Japan vs Kazakhstan
19:15[Men’s]Japan vs Kazakhstan
20:40［Women］Japan vs China
21:05［Men］Japan vs China
22:30[Women’s]Final
22:55[Men’s]Final
2024-06-10 05:33:08
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