Photo/Illutration Yuki Kawamura shoots during Japan's World Cup game against Finland in Okinawa Prefecture on Aug. 27. (Tetsuro Takehana)

Japan may have been bounced from the Basketball World Cup but not before one of its shortest players helped the national team overcome a naggingly high hurdle on the international stage.

And he did so after taking a rare extended rest.

Point guard Yuki Kawamura is known for his reluctance to take a break from practice.

In high school, he made it a rule to sink 600 shots before the day was out.

But Kawamura, 22, who now plays for the Yokohama B-Corsairs in the professional B.League, sat himself down after banging up his right thigh during a game in May.

The national team opened its training camp in June, but he did not practice with the other members until the latter half of July.

He played in his first game in about two months on Aug. 2.

At the FIBA World Cup, Kawamura misfired badly in Japan’s Group E opener, an 81-63 loss to Germany, at Okinawa Arena in Okinawa Prefecture on Aug. 25.

But he recovered his sense of shooting to make history for Japan in the next game on Aug. 27.

Japan was trailing by 18 points in the third quarter against favorites Finland, when Kawamura led a furious comeback by nailing key buckets and dishing out assists.

After Japan overtook Finland in the final quarter, Kawamura drained three-pointers despite being guarded by forward Lauri Markkanen, an all-star in the National Basketball Association.

Kawamura finished with 25 points in Japan’s 98-88 victory.

It was Japan’s first win over a European team after 11 straight losses at the World Cup.

Japan is ranked 36th in the world, while Finland stands at 24th.

Akira Rikukawa, who coached Kawamura at Tokai University, has told him not to push himself too far.

“He spoke about the importance of preparing for the World Cup by controlling myself wherever I have to,” the guard said.

Kawamura dropped out from the university to turn pro.

Ken Takeda, general manager of the B-Corsairs, said Kawamura’s tough mind is his strongest asset.

“He appears absolutely confident that he can do anything,” he said. “I am sometimes thrilled by him.”

Kawamura joined the national team’s starting lineup for the first time in Japan’s third game at the World Cup, a must-win match against powerhouse Australia on Aug. 29.

Japan lost 109-89 to the world’s third-ranked team and failed to advance to the knockout round.

Kawamura was not feeling down, however.

“I encountered a number of defenses that canceled out my strengths,” he said. “It was a great experience.”

At 172 centimeters, Kawamura is considered undersized for a professional point guard.

“I wanted to show what a short player can do at the World Cup,” he said.

He now has his sights on the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Japan will gain a berth to the Paris Games if it finishes top among Asian countries in the World Cup.

Kawamura’s strong showing at the World Cup could also bring him closer to his goal of playing professionally overseas.

Japanese teenagers who dream of playing in the NBA are increasingly moving to the United States after graduating from high school or even junior high school.

“If a short player like Kawamura can find a place in the NBA, basketball will gain greater popularity in Japan,” said Takashi Ideguchi, who coached Kawamura at Fukuoka Daiichi High School.

Related News