Japan will be one of the three hosts of this year’s FIBA World Cup. Rui Hachimura will not play, but this team is ready to give their best.
Apart from the fact that they are part of Mundobasket for the sixth time, Japan is organizing the World Cup second time in its history. They did this previously in 2006, when Spain outplayed Greece in the gold medal game. The Japanese finished that tournament 17th in the final standings.
FIBA World Cup – Japan: Previous editions and the best results of the national team
This is only the second time in history that Japan has made two consecutive appearances at the World Cup. Before this tournament, they did it in 1967.
In 1963, out of 13 competing teams, they finished last. At the next Mundobasket, Japan were 11th. Looking at the percentage of teams that participated, their result from 2006 (18th place) is still the best result at the world championships.
At the Mundobasket 2006, they achieved their only win at the World Cup in 21st century. Japan defeated Panama and finish the group stage at 1-4 after losing to Germany, Angola, Spain and New Zealand.
FIBA World Cup – Japan: Road to Mundobasket
Japan played the qualifiers so that head coach Tom Hovasse could succeed in his intention to find a competitive rhythm. The “Land of the Rising Sun” earned its way to the FIBA World Cup by the very fact that they are the host of the tournament.
FIBA World Cup – Japan: Roster and focus on those who are most expected
During the games that Japan played in the previous period, key players around whom everything should revolve were not constantly present. Clearly, Rui Hachimura and Yuta Watanabe are the ones being referred to.
Although the nation was hoping that both NBA players would be part of the Mundobasket being played on Japanese soil, that will not be the case. Hachimura decided to skip his national team duties this summer, so the burden of leadership will fall on Watanabe.
In 58 games played for the Brooklyn Nets, Watanabe recorded 5.6 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. What is extremely important is the fact that he shoots from the field with a 49% success rate. At one point, he led the NBA with 57% of three-pointers.
Yudai Baba used an opportunity to prove himself in the absence of the best players. He averaged 19.5 points in two games, so he can be the revelation of the tournament. Yuki Kawamura as the MVP of the Japanese League in seven appearances for the national team had an average of 10.6 points and almost six assists.
Keisei Tominaga is another option in backcourt and he showed that during two games with an average of 17.5 points. The place of the naturalized player should be taken by Josh Hawkinson. An average of 19 points, 10.5 rebounds, four assists, one steal confirms his quality.
Other names worth mentioning include Yuki Togashi, Yutaro Suda, and Yudai Nishida.
FIBA World Cup – Japan: A word more about head coach – Tom Hovasse
The American coach born in 1967 under the full name Thomas Wayne Hovasse leads Japan national team from the bench. Interestingly, he spent one season in the NBA during his playing days. There he defended the colors of the Atlanta Hawks, but without the opportunity to play. His next step in career was Japan for where he spent 10 years.
After playing days, Hovasse decided to stay in Japan and became part of the staff in women’s national team. Through that position, he traced his way to the Japan men’s national team.
As head coach of Japan women’s national team, he won four medals. The most important was silver medal at the 2020 Olympic Games.
Few months later, he took over the men’s national team, and this will be a big challenge for him, with the added pressure of the home court.
FIBA World Cup – Japan: Expectations
When you look at the draw for the World Cup, you see Japan in the company of Australia, Finland and Germany. It is quite clear that in Group E, whose games will be played in Okinawa, the “Land of the Rising Sun” represents a big outsider.
A real basketball miracle should happen if they qualify for the second stage from this group. Therefore, the expectations are not at all optimistic.
It is not impossible for them to surprise one of the three opponents in the first phase, but anything beyond that is not realistic to happen. If Hachimura was there, then the chances would be much higher.