Japanese ace Watanabe vows to make a splash at the World Cup.
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) released an interview on its official website today with Japanese ace Yuta Watanabe (29, 206 cm),온라인바카라 who will serve as the ace of the Japanese men’s national basketball team at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, which will be co-located in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines starting on August 25.
Men’s basketball in Japan has seen a meteoric rise in the 2020s. NBA legends like Watanabe (Phoenix) and Rui Hachimura (Lakers) have emerged, and the B.League has become increasingly competitive in Asia. However, the team’s losses at the 2019 Basketball World Cup in China and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were a reminder of the world’s barriers.
“As the leader of the team, I have to lead the team to victory,” Watanabe says, “but Japan has lost five straight World Cups and three straight Tokyo Olympics. As a key player on the team, I feel very responsible.”
Japan will be fired up for this World Cup, not only because it is being held on home soil, but also because it is considered to be the strongest team ever. Despite Hachimura’s withdrawal, Watanabe is expected to be joined by Yuki Kawamura, Yudai Baba, and Keisei Tominaga.
“Neither the players nor the spectators want to see us lose. I’m ready to take off my jersey if we lose again. That’s why we are committed to this World Cup.” Watanabe said.
“There’s no point in having players who can’t win staying at the top. We have a lot of talented young players, so it’s better to change the generation quickly. If we don’t qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics, I will play with the idea that I don’t deserve to be in the national team anymore.”
At the World Cup, Japan was drawn in the Group of Death with Germany, Australia, and Finland. Despite facing a tough group, the team will be playing in front of their home fans in Okinawa. If Watanabe is right, we’ll be interested to see how Japan plays and what their World Cup experience will be like.