By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Joining national teams with confirmed 12-player squads for the 2024 Olympic Games, Japan features two NBA players.
The Japan Basketball Association, JBA, officially reduced the initial 16-player roster to the final 12-player list on Monday.
Headlining the list of selections made by head coach Tom Hovasse, Rui Hachimura of the Los Angeles Lakers is projected to be the leader. Following the 2019 FIBA World Cup and the 2020 Olympic Games held in 2021, he is back in international action after sitting out last summer’s 2023 FIBA World Cup.
The second player from the league based in North America, Keisei Tominaga recently signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Indiana Pacers as an undrafted free agent coming out of Nebraska.
A veteran of 218 games played in the NBA, Yuta Watanabe will represent his country in France, before resuming his club career in Japan’s B.League next season.
Final roster for Japan
- Yudai Baba (Nagasaki Velca)
- Rui Hachimura (Los Angeles Lakers)
- Josh Hawkinson (Sun Rockers Shibuya)
- Makoto Hiejima (Utsunomiya Brex)
- Akira Jacobs (Hawaii Rainbow Warriors)
- Yuki Kawamura (Yokohama B-Corsairs)
- Kai Toews (Alvark Tokyo)
- Keisei Tominaga (Indiana Pacers)
- Yuki Togashi (Chiba Jets)
- Hugh Watanabe (Ryukyu Golden Kings)
- Yuta Watanabe (Memphis Grizzlies)
- Hirotaka Yoshii (Alvark Tokyo)
Competing in Group B of the preliminary round, Japan collides with Germany on July 27, France on July 30, and Brazil on August 2 in Lille. The top two and possibly the third-seeded national team will clinch a berth in the Quarterfinals.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL