Player Eijiro Ogawa calling out from the center of the huddle
Player Anka Sasaki pledging revenge after last year’s tournament where they lost to the USA by just one point
The “FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup 2024” has kicked off in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The men’s and women’s U23 Japan national teams are enhancing their skills through practice matches with other participating teams in Mongolia. Tomorrow, September 12, the men’s team will face China and Mongolia, while the women’s team will play against New Zealand and the USA, with each team playing all the other five teams in a round-robin format. The matches will be live-streamed on the official FIBA 3×3 YouTube channel.
Last year, player Eijiro Ogawa from Shirayuki University and player Anka Sasaki from Takushoku University represented Japan as the Asian champions in the FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup. “Although it is the same basketball, 3×3 feels like a completely different sport. However, I also feel that in 3×3, we can compete with the world, so I want to leverage my experience from last year,” said Ogawa, who also competed against the world as part of the men’s U19 Japan national team last year. He aims to win by stating, “The expectation for three-point shooting (2-point shots in 3×3) is much higher than in five-on-five. This team has players who are good at those shots, so I want to understand each person’s characteristics well and aim for victory.”
Sasaki also expressed, “After participating in last year’s FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup, I felt there was a chance to win against any opponent.” In fact, the USA, which narrowly defeated them in the semifinals 20-21, went on to win the tournament. They later won the bronze medal by beating Lithuania 21-11 in the third-place match. “This time, I want to take revenge against the USA in the qualifiers,” said the youngest member of the team with passion. Recent silver medalist Himeka Sone, who won a silver medal at the recent FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup, is also Sasaki’s teammate at Takushoku University. “After watching Himeka hit the last two-point shot against Germany in the semifinals and win in overtime, I thought I couldn’t lose either. I will do my best to surpass the results of the U18 Japan national team,” she was inspired.
Last month, players Haruki Hori and Fatumah Nish from Waseda University participated in the FIBA 3×3 Nations League as members of the men’s and women’s U21 Japan national teams. Participating in 3×3 for the first time and in their first international tournament, Hori mentioned that “Unlike five-on-five, there are a lot of one-on-one situations, and I had confidence in that. Additionally, when I matched up against opponents of similar height, I was usually able to win,” which allowed him to experience the enjoyment of 3×3. Nish faced some limitations in participation due to a concussion incident but said, “Each person has more time with the ball and more chances to attack the goal,” and added that their aggression has increased in five-on-five after returning to Waseda University.
In the FIBA 3×3 Nations League, Hori showcased an average scoring ability of 7.6 points and scored a total of 27 points across three games in the final STOP6, standing out as the top scorer. Regarding the challenges in defense, he noted, “Fouls are less likely to be called than in five-on-five, so it’s necessary to be more physical against larger opponents,” thereby increasing his experience level.
Nish is encouraged by senior Waseda University player Yuyu Emura from the women’s 3×3 Japan national team, who advises her to “Keep going for the scores, not just in 3×3.” After their participation was decided, Emura sent Nish off with, “Go have fun,” to which Nish aims to score as much as possible while enjoying the experience at the new international tournament.
■3×3 Men’s U23 Japan National Team Members
#5 Haruki Hori (G/188cm/21 years old/Waseda University)
#10 Eijiro Ogawa (F/187cm/18 years old/Shirayuki University)
#16 Kenny Asano (F/197cm/22 years old/Senshu University・IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE)
#17 Haruki Tanaka (G/178cm/21 years old/Komazawa University・ALPHAS.EXE)
■3×3 Women’s U23 Japan National Team Members
#4 Misora Iha (G/167cm/21 years old/Toyota Boshoku Sunshine Rabbits)
#5 Anka Sasaki (F/178cm/19 years old/Takushoku University)
#6 Maya Tabira (F/173cm/20 years old/Rikkyo University)
#10 Fatumah Nish (G/175cm/20 years old/Waseda University)
■FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup 2024 Overview
Dates: September 11 (Wed) – 15 (Sun), 2024
Location: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
【Preliminary Pool Match Schedule】
▼Men: Pool B
September 12 (Thu)
14:55 Japan vs China
18:20 Japan vs Mongolia
September 14 (Sat)
14:55 Japan vs Benin
19:45 Japan vs Netherlands
▼Women: Pool B
September 12 (Thu)
17:05 Japan vs New Zealand
18:45 Japan vs USA
September 14 (Sat)
17:05 Japan vs Spain
19:20 Japan vs Italy
September 15 (Sun) Final Tournament