Twelve players who will represent Japan in the basketball competitions in Tokyo 2020 Olympics are announced.

Average height of the twelve players is around 6-5 (196cm). But their frontline (seven players) is bigger at around 6-8 (203.4cm). Not too big, but not too small. Besides, they now have a few proven talents playing overseas they can look to.

Yuta Watanabe has proved his combination of athletic ability and overall skills belongs to the NBA during the 2020-21 season where he earned the deserving full NBA contract as a Toronto Raptor. He made his first appearance as a member of this year's national team earlier this month against Hungary and paced the Akatsuki Five squad for a 79-58 win with 25 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Rui Hachimura is basically one of the "Big 3" of the Washington Wizards along with Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal. He became the first Japanese playe ever to play in the NBA Playoffs and showcased his ability to score from everywhere. And there is Yudai Baba who helped his Melbourne United team win the NBL title in Australia this June. He impressed the basketball world with his speed, physical strength, and ability to play both ends of the ball.

Tomoya Higashino, the Team Leader and the chair of JBA Technical Committee boldly said "We're preparing to shock the world". And the team has been showing a lot of positive signs throughout the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifier and the warm-up series against Iranian squad following their flight back from the Philippines in June. The latest victory against Hungarian side only boosts the hope for Higashino's ambition.

Here is the list of Team Japan's twelve players who made the final cut for the Summer Games in Tokyo.

#2 Yuki Togashi (Chiba Jets, PG, 167cm/65kg, 1993/07/30)
#6 Makoto Hiejima (Utsunomiya Brex, SG, 191cm/88kg, 1990/08/11)
#8 Rui Hachmura (Washington Wizards, SF, 203cm/102kg, 1998/02/08)
#9 Leo Vendrame (Sun Rockers Shibuya, PG, 186cm/80kg, 1993/11/14)
#12 Yuta Watanabe (Toronto Raptors, SF, 206cm/93kg, 1994/10/13) CAP
#14 Kosuke Kanamaru (Shimane Susanoo Magic, SG, 192cm/88kg, 1989/03/08)
#18 Yudai Baba (Melbourne United, SF, 198cm/90kg, 1995/11/07)
#23 Gavin Edwards (Chiba Jets, PF, 206cm/110kg, 1988/01/15)
#23 Daiki Tanaka (Alvark Tokyo, PG, 192cm/93kg, 1991/09/03) CAP
#32 Avi Schafer (Seahorse Mikawa, C, 206cm/107kg, 1998/01/28)
#34 Hugh Watanabe (Ryukyu Golden Kings, PF, 207cm/106kg, 1998/12/23)
#88 Tenkdetsu Harimoto (Nagoya Diamond Dorphins, SF, 198cm/102kg, 1992/01/08)

Eye-catch picture ©JBA

Text: Takeshi Shibata

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