Yuta Watanabe Photo: Eri Kimura
FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023opens on August 25th. Prior to this, the Japan Men’s National Basketball Team started a training camp at the Ajinomoto National Training Center from the 28th.In the training camp just beforeNBAof the Phoenix SunsYuta WatanabeYokohama B-CorsairsYuki Kawamura15 players participated.
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■ “This timing cannot be overlooked for the future development of Japanese basketball.”
The Japanese national team played warm-up games against Taiwan on the 8th and 9th and South Korea on the 22nd and 23rd, and the current 15 players were selected. Watanabe of the NBA joined from this training camp, and Kawamura of Yokohama B, who did not accompany the Korean expedition due to injury, also joined the team. On the 30th, the shooting practice was released to the media, and after the practice, head coach Tom Horvath (HC) and the players responded to the interview.
Regarding Watanabe’s joining, HC Horvath said, “He’s studying (on the playing side as a team), but he doesn’t want to lose and has a strong competitive spirit. His conditioning isn’t 100% yet. So when his team had two turnovers in a row, he got really angry, and that kind of feeling is really strong.He’s really a leader.Sometimes people ask him what NBA players do.He’s also a player. We talk a lot and I think communication is really good.” A true “mental pillar” was added.
Kawamura, who objectively watched the match against South Korea, which he did not participate in, said the following during the interview. “(Against South Korea), I was determined not to miss the growth of the team that won the second game. Yuta-san joined the team, and the quality of the leader and the atmosphere that we have to win are transmitted to the whole team. It’s my first tournament.There are things I can learn from experienced players.I think that the way of thinking of each play and the reaction and response to simple mistakes are the words and atmosphere that come from experience, so we have to understand them. I feel that I absolutely have to win,” he said, which is very stimulating.
Looking ahead to the World Cup, Kawamura said, “I want to use my strengths, such as stirring up opponents with all-court offense and defense. I’m a point guard, so my job is to make sure all players can play without stress. I want to join. “There are a lot of players who didn’t make it in. I will fight with the feelings of those players on my back. This time we have to produce results. For the Paris Olympics and the future development of Japanese basketball, we must not miss this timing.” He once again made a strong decision.
[Next page]”As a member of the Japanese national team, I will play with gratitude to Japan”
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2023-07-31 03:58:58
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