Just a quick update:

It was earlier reported that Yuta was injured in practice (ankle). The good news is that he's now fit to play. Earlier this week, Japan split a pair of "Friendlies" (exhibition games) against New Zealand. Yuta did not play in the first game (Japan win) out of caution, but started and played 10 minutes inn the second game (Japan loss) and scored 6 points.  

Argentina is also involved in Friendlies this week. So far, they have a loss to Brazil and a win over Montenegro. Pato has played in both games, but has not been a big impact. They have another game tomorrow against France.

Next up after that - Japan versus Argentina in a Friendly on August 22. The World Cup starts on August 31.

Yuta emphatic dunk and next play, Yuta 3

Pato 3 and a block.  He scored all his points in the first half.

Looks like Yuta (#12) finished with 13 points and not much else
 

Last edited by BM (8/22/2019 8:25 am)

Pato's Insta post with a bunch of great pix.

Japan beat Germany 86-83 earlier today. Great effort by the Akatsuki Five. 

Yuta's line was 20 pts, 6 rebs, and 2 stls.; with several clutch plays down the stretch.



 

Today, Japan lost a close game to Tunisia, 78-76. Japan chose to rest Rui and starting PG, so they were a little shorthanded against a really big Tunisia line-up. Yuta led the way for Japan with 17 pts and 4 rebs.

Without question, the best assist of the day: 

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1ooOuTgUP9/

Japan's Friendly schedule is complete. On Tuesday, Argentina plays Spain in a Friendly.

The World Cup starts next Saturday (8-31). Argentina plays South Korea. On Sunday (9-1), Japan will take on Turkey. You can watch all World Cup games on ESPN+. Unfortunately, because of the time difference, most games are played while we are sleeping. The good news is that all games are available on demand, so you can watch them after you wake up. 

 

Last edited by xAC (8/26/2019 1:05 pm)

Round 1 first game wrap-up: A tale of two teams.

Argentina easily beat S. Korea. Garino blended in well with a very experienced veteran team that was clicking on all cylinders. He had 6 pts, despite very few 2nd half minutes.

Japan was totally over matched by Turkey, both experience wise and in physicality. Japan could never fully recover from a bad 1st quarter, where they were blitzed by a well prepared Turkish team. The Turkish NBAers (Ilyasova and Osman) were to much for Japan's youth and inexperience. Yuta finished with 11 pts. in a scrambling effort.

Next up - Argentina faces Nigeria on Labor Day, and Japan will try their luck with the Czech Republic (who lost to Team USA earlier today).

Last edited by xAC (9/01/2019 12:45 pm)

Yuta´s next game is against a USA that should have lost to Turkey (fouling a guy taking a desperate three with 0.1 sec to play in regulation and then missing FOUR STRAIGHT free throws in the final 9 secs of OT?!?!?!). Game tips off at a very reasonable 0830 Eastern on Thursday.

Japan playing against the US now.   Video link on FIBA site.  NBA audition for Yuta too.

Great article on Yuta that just came out earlier today. 
https://www.sbnation.com/2019/9/5/20849363/yuta-watanabe-rui-hachimura-japanese-basketball-future

Another 9 points for Pato (played just 20 mins) as Argentina finish the group stages undefeated by beating Poland 91-65. Up next is a quaterfinal against Serbia at 8am Eastern on Tuesday when the tournament switches from pools to elimination games.