Yuki Kawamura Is in Hongcheon? The Little Giant, who made him feel as if he were watching him, is showing the best play among American and European giants.
Japan's Shinagawa advanced to the quarterfinals at the NH Nonghyup Bank FIBA 3x3 Hongcheon Mugunghwa Challenger 2024 held at a special court at the Hongcheon-gun National Sports Center in Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon State on the 12th.
Shinagawa won the qualifying draw ticket for this tournament by finishing second in the final round of the KXO League of NH Nonghyup Bank 2024 KXO 3x3 Hongcheon Tour 2 and KXO League Final held in Hongcheon in August.
Shinagawa's teamwork, consisting of all Japanese players, was remarkable. As the tallest player at 190 centimeters, they beat Yesan Hanul and Nantou to the main draw. Then, Utsunomiya, the fourth seed, secured a berth to the quarterfinals. Shinagawa is the 11th seed, the lowest among the eight teams that advanced to the quarterfinals.
Shinagawa was able to survive the tournament, which involved a large number of American and European giants, thanks to Japan's unique solid defense and accurate outside shot. At the center of it was Naoto Ito, who had all this but managed the game.
Ito is the shortest player standing 167 centimeters. However, he blocked the opponent team's tallest player, faster than anyone else, and displayed sharp penetration. His fast-motion outside shot crosses the rim whenever the team needed him.
"I think the preparation for the tournament went well overall. I was able to play well because all the players were focused on the game," Ito said.
He added, "We are a team of Japanese players. There is no particular reason. We are all trying to prove that we can win with just the Japanese players."
A source at the tournament said, "There is a player like Kawamura in this tournament." Ito's style, which is evaluated as the best guard in Asia beyond Japan, naturally made people curious. In fact, Ito's play was similar enough to remind people of Kawamura.
Ito said, "I'm a very small player. That's why I use penetration and outside shooting as my main weapons. I also needed to do well in assists and steals. I worked hard."
Like most Korean 3x3 players, both Ito and Shinagawa have their day jobs. Nevertheless, he had a passion for 3x3, so he took his time to prepare for the training and competition.
Ito said, "I'm a salesman. I work out before I work and then I work out after I work. It's hard, but I'm overcoming it with 'Mamba mentality'."
Shinagawa will meet Lausanne of Switzerland at the quarterfinals tournament on Tuesday. Lausanne is the No. 2 seed and is the second strongest team after Vienna of Austria. Ito said, "Our goal is to be a champion 메이저놀이터. I want to stay until the end."