TimesofIndia.com in Singapore: By mid-morning, the courts inside the OCBC Arena were already occupied.On the other hand, South Korea’s Kyungbock High School looked their favourites, their players were bigger and better looking than their opponents. Singapore, which has four teams spread across both boys and girls divisions, has seen its strides against established basketball programs.Around the stadium, coaches criticized the instructions, and young people from all over Asia shared the courts to, next week, be the center of the meeting. NBA‘s wishes in the community.This place is first class, the organization is undoubtedly NBA. But the biggest draw on the opening day of the Rising Stars Invitational wasn’t just basketball.It was different. Players from Japan, China, South Korea, India, the Philippines and Australia, each with different basketball traditions and aspirations, are all arriving in Singapore with the same dream.For others, it’s about success. For some, just being here is part of something bigger: Chance.For Rui Hachimura, perhaps more than anyone else, that word has a special meaning.The opportunity he wanted would have been his.The future of the Los Angeles Lakers is not just about sending basketballs to Japan. In 2019, Hachimura became the first Japanese player to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft when the Washington Wizards selected him ninth overall.The 27-year-old, who won three straight high school championships before transferring to Gonzaga University, remains the NBA’s only Asian player and has embraced the status that comes with it.“You know, I think when I was a kid, I always wanted to play overseas,” Hachimura said on the sidelines of the event.“I think this kind of opportunity is very important. I don’t know how long this has been around, but when I was in high school, I don’t think it was. So that makes sense.”Looking around the court and seeing young Asians competing under the NBA flag, Hachimura admitted that he recognized his own youth.“Yes, yes,” he said when asked if he saw himself among the players.“When I was in high school, I was invited [to the] such as [of] Jordan Brand Classic, NBA Academy and all that. But there are times when I go to study alone. I see my level and my goal.”“So these kinds of things will help them. Especially in Asia, there are a lot of kids, a lot of players who want to be in the NBA. So this is a very good thing.”And that’s probably the most common thought throughout the day: Strategy.
Reaching Japan
For years, Asian basketball has been searching for people who can change minds.China had Yao Ming, an eight-time NBA All-Star and the first pick in the 2002 Draft. Japan found a superstar in Hachimura, who joined Yuta Watanabe and Yuki Kawamura in achieving the nation’s basketball goals.
NBA players under one roof (Photo courtesy of NBA Rising Stars Invitational)
But for Hachimura himself, the discussion has crossed national borders.“Especially for me, I think I have a responsibility. My country is Japan, and the whole of Asia,” he said.“Right now, I’m the only NBA player in Asia. So we need to expand our basketball culture and bring more Asian players into the NBA.”“I think we have a lot of potential, but I think the chances are low. That’s why I decided to come here and try to help the whole of Asia bring more players to the NBA. “Later, when asked what Asian basketball success will look like ten years from now, Hachimura returned to the same topic.“I don’t want to talk about Japan,” he said, adding. “I’m thinking about all of Asia. That’s my vision.”“I want to inspire those kids and I want to have more kids from Asia become NBA players and do what they want. I wonder how I can help. “
The problem is still bigger than the talent
For Hachimura, physical limitations are no longer excuses. “There are always these challenges for us,” he said.“But I think there’s a lot of ways to prove that. You guys look at Yuki Kawamura. He’s so tall and he competed every day, every game.”“You just have to believe in yourself and find a way.”
Asia’s top talents (Photo courtesy of NBA Rising Stars Invitational)
Most interestingly, Hachimura believes that the problem is not physical.“It’s human too,” he said. “Basketball is a fun game. It’s a team game but it’s often individual. Showing what you can do is very important.”“That’s what I had to learn when I got to Gonzaga [University]. They always tell me I play like I’m shy or something. ““But you can’t be like that. You always have to be aggressive. You have to be someone who tries to change the whole game. I think Asians don’t have that, so I think I have to teach that.”
Production methods
Three-time WNBA MVP Lauren Jackson, considered one of the greatest players in women’s basketball history and a central figure in Australia’s rise as a world power, believes luck is the headline of this generation.A Basketball Hall of Famer and one of the faces of the NBA’s Her Time To Play initiative, Jackson has seen the women’s game change for more than two decades.“I think women’s basketball is driving the world,” Jackson said. “I think there’s no doubt that the WNBA has really raised the bar.”“We’re seeing recognition for women’s basketball and it’s a great time for women’s basketball.”For Jackson, attractions like the Rising Stars Invitational are important because they create form.“The competition gives the rest of the country a chance to get to the elite,” he said.“They can see their way to the NBA and that’s something that hasn’t happened before, especially in the Asia-Pacific.”
Lauren Jackson (Photo courtesy of NBA Rising Stars Invitational)
Mitch Richmond, a six-time NBA All-Star, 2002 NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers and a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, saw the growth of the league from up close.One of the Golden State Warriors’ big three along with Tim Hardaway and Chris Mullin, Richmond believes the NBA’s efforts to make the game have been years in the making.“I saw it coming,” Richmond said of basketball’s global growth.“When I play, the NBA always makes me go overseas and they try to expand.”
Mitch Richmond (Photo courtesy of NBA Rising Stars Invitational)
“To see everything going well right now, with the NBA growing in so many areas and continuing to grow globally, it’s great to see.”And when asked about countries like India, where cricket remains dominant, Richmond preferred patience to urgency.“You have to start somewhere. You have to take those baby steps. It’s about teaching and learning. You have to entertain young people.”
Competition is a question
India’s sole representative, Velammal International School, will begin their campaign on Tuesday.Their work is difficult. The difference in basketball infrastructure and culture between India and other established powers in Asia is still evident.
Only Indian representatives (Image courtesy of NBA Rising Stars Invitational)
However, that is probably the biggest meaning of this week. Because for Hachimura, success is no longer measured by what Japan achieves.“I have a big goal now,” he said. “Not just Japan but all of Asia.”Inside the OCBC Arena, surrounded by youngsters from all over the country, the vision doesn’t sound far off.And for countries still waiting for their breakthrough moment, that may be reason enough to keep believing.
