Yamura Rin NBA journey October 18th 19:10

NBA = American professional basketball kicks off on the 22nd of this month. The first season of the first Japanese player, Yasushi Yamura, who was nominated for the first draft of the draft. The reporter, who has been reporting since college, approached the path to the world's highest stage and the future thoughts. (Sports News Department reporter Yuki Hosaka)

February in Spokane

Washington State with Seattle in the northwestern United States.

In February in Spokane, a local city in Washington, I had the opportunity to interview Yamura for the first time.

Spokane was the first city I visited in Seattle when I was a junior high school student at Gonzaga University where Yamura belonged.
A quiet city with a population of about 200,000.

For those Spokane people, Gonzaga University is proud to be proud throughout the United States.

Gonzaga University, which is a regular school of the NCAA tournament that decides the university basketball champion who is attracting attention and popularity so much that it can be compared to Japan's summer high school baseball in Japan. .
The first game that covered Yamura, who plays an active role at the University of Gonzaga, was packed with many students and people from the city, and the venue was almost full.

In the match, Yamura scored 32 goals from both teams and contributed to the team's victory.
I was overwhelmed by the physique of 2 meters and 3 centimeters that looked bigger than I was watching in the video, the power to blow off other players, and the sharp movement.

Even more impressive was the post-game appearance.

Surrounded by a large number of Japanese and American reporters, fluent English is used for American media, Japanese is used for Japanese media, calming down as opposed to intense appearance at the time of the game, sometimes showing a smile Corresponding to the coverage.
In both English and Japanese, there is no grudge, and the communication skills and insights that are common to many of the top players who have been interviewed so far, in response to questions that are immediately answered in a straightforward manner I felt.

University distress and “BE A TIGER”

“I wonder if I can go to the NBA”, but when I returned to Japan, it was absolutely over. The reason I got over was because I believed in myself that I could do more.

This is a word that Yamura looked back at when he was in college.
Yamura was born between a Benin father and a Japanese mother.
Having started playing basketball at a junior high school in Toyama City and being told by the coach at that time to “aim for the NBA” was a very famous story.

Gonzaga University where I entered a powerful school in Miyagi, developed my skills and entered.
Despite his emphasis on learning English since high school, the university initially struggled with English, could not understand team tactics, and was unable to play aggressively.

The video when I was in college first grade shows a confident practice, a pass during a decisive shot during a match, and a sitting on the bench with a dull expression.

Yamura said that he had thought that he wanted to return to Japan.

It was the word “BE A TIGER” by Mark Hughhead Coach of Gonzaga University that changed such a player.

Coach Hughhead said the meaning of the word, “The thing I said every time I looked at him was that I would definitely win. Having a strong fighting spirit will greatly determine what kind of player he will be in the future. It ’s an element. ”

Yamura said, “It ’s hard to change, but I ’m going to be a tiger.” In order to overcome the afflictions, it is difficult to change the things that must be changed. The reason for this was because there was trust in our own power in the depths of our hearts.

Yamura will gradually demonstrate his ability and will be confident in his face.

In the second year, he became a NBA draft candidate as a central player at Gonzaga University, and in the third year, he was selected as the best player by American University basketball position. .

Yamura's play style NBA trend

Yamura's character is that NBA players can play powerfully under the goal despite having a physique, and also have a high level of speed and technique.

The basketball position can be divided into a center that works directly under the goal, a forward playing around the goal, a commander role a little away from the goal, and a guard that cuts in and shoots.

Yamura's basic position is forward, but he can also play the role of the center.
With the recent NBA, the line drawing of these positions is becoming ambiguous and all abilities are required, and Yamura's play style suits these trends.

In addition, while Wizards has several star players as guards such as Bradley Beer players, the forward and center teams are short, and it can be said that it is an easy environment for Yamura players.

At the press conference after receiving the first round nomination in the June draft meeting, Yamura said, “I ’ve seen Wizards games many times. “I think I can enter,” he said.

Leader qualities

After interviewing the draft meeting, in July I went back to the United States to cover the Summer League. The Summer League is a stage where new players and young players mainly participate and appeal their ability to win starters and contracts with teams.

Yamura, the first Wizard of the Wizards, was one of those players who showed the ability to break out of their heads, and was able to mark the points scored in all three matches.

In the summer league, I was able to see another aspect of Yamura.

At the beginning of the third match, there was a situation where other players were not aware of their appeal and did not pass, or did not cover well with the defensive team.

At the end of the first quarter, Yamura settled his teammates with a calmness that was not like a rookie, saying, “Let's talk and switch again with the team once more,” and led to the subsequent victory.

It was an attitude that made me feel the qualities of a leader, and it was a scene that showed that Yamura was growing more humanly.

Thoughts on the NBA

Yamura who returned to Japan after the Summer League.
Before joining the Japan National Team ahead of the World Cup, I participated in various events and commercials.

In the meantime, Yamura, who responded to NHK's interview, expressed his passion for NBA.

“I thought it was really cool when I saw the big and fast players. I thought I could do this.”

In particular, when he signed a contract with a brand named NBA superstar Michael Jordan, he revealed that he had called and said, “Welcome to the family. Not everyone can sign a contract with this brand, and I was very happy to be chosen, ”he said.

At the World Cup in China from August, when I was a member of the Japanese national team, I couldn't get the original performance due to fatigue and knees. I showed it.

In the pre-season match from this month, where the main force also participates, he participates as a starting member and contributes to the team by scoring and rebounding.

Wizards Scott Brooks Head Coach also praised, “He plays calmly like a veteran. He always plays with his best and shows good things in the game.”
In the opening game with Mavericks on the 23rd of this month, the possibility of participating as a starting member has increased.

Yamura who overcame a difficult time and seized the NBA. However, this is still the first step of the dream, just getting started.

NHK Special, which interviewed Yamura, will be broadcast on general television from 9:00 pm on Sunday, October 27th.

Sports news department reporter Yuki Hosaka