Shin Hiejima (34), a standout player for Utsunomiya Brex, finally clinched his first-ever victory in the 3-point contest. Scoring 15 points, he tied with last season’s winner, Ryuichi Kishimoto (34) of Ryukyu, setting the stage for an intense final showdown. Hiejima secured the win by being the first to reach 5 points in overtime, playfully referencing the iconic “Kamehameha” move from the Dragon Ball series. Kishimoto managed only 1 point, resulting in a decisive victory for Hiejima.
“I’m thrilled the strategy paid off,” Hiejima joked with a smile. “Winning this was a big goal for me, so I’m really happy.” His journey to this moment wasn’t without challenges. Two years ago, during his debut in the contest, he finished last among six participants. This time, however, he was persistent to turn the tables, even telling his teammates, “I’m going all out for the win.”
Earlier this season, during the opening game at LaLa Arena tokyo bay, Hiejima attempted seven 3-point shots but missed every one. “I hadn’t scored a single 3-pointer here before,” he admitted,reflecting on his struggles. But this victory has erased those doubts, marking a significant personal milestone.
“I was the league’s top 3-point shooter last season, so I came in with confidence,” Hiejima shared.“But I didn’t expect to win with 15 points. Honestly, just call me the ‘winner’—no need to mention the numbers,” he added with a chuckle.
◆Contest Rules: Participants shoot five balls from each of five designated spots along the 3-point line. The first four balls are worth 1 point each, while the fifth ball counts for 2 points. Each player has 60 seconds to complete their shots. In the event of a tie, overtime consists of a 10-second round where the first to hit five balls from any position wins.
