“If you can’t repay last year’s debt, you can’t be a point guard on behalf of Japan.”
On March 3, Yokohama B-Corsairs held a press conference and announced that it had signed a professional contract with Yuki Kawamura next season. At the same time, he announced that he would drop out of Tokai University while he was still in school and extend his activities as a specially designated player until the end of the season.
Utilizing the specially designated player system, the number of players standing on the B League court while attending college has increased. Even so, it is rare for a player like Kawamura to jump into the professional world until he drops out of college. Yudai Baba, who once aimed to become an NBA player, turned professional while attending University of Tsukuba, and Yasuaki Kosakabe also retired from the basketball club when he was in his third year of college to concentrate on the activities of Alvark Tokyo.Yuta Okada of Shinshu Brave Warriors also got a lot of attention because he dropped out of Takushoku University and challenged the B League.
There are different reasons for each, but there are reasons why they made such a big decision. Of course, it is the same for Kawamura. Kawamura strongly said, “My goal is to become a point guard representing Japan and participate in the Paris Olympics two years later.”
“I wanted to enter the third season as a specially designated player and go on as a professional. The main reason is the Olympics two years later, and even though it is two years, it is a short period, so I experienced a lot of things quickly. It made me want to do a lot of things, and following thinking regarding how to get closer to that goal, I came up with this decision. “
Kawamura, who joined San-en Neo-Phoenix as a specially designated player while in high school, showed a sensational activity to break the youngest appearance and the youngest score record (18 years 8 months 23 days) in the history of the B League (B1). , Last season when I joined Yokohama, I mightn’t make a big impact, such as falling into a shoot slump. Kawamura also revealed that the remaining regret was one of the reasons for choosing Yokohama.
“Last season, I played for Beecol as a specially designated player in consideration of compatibility with my studies, but I was very disappointed because I mightn’t meet the expectations of fans and boosters. One of the reasons I came back to Yokohama this season was because I wanted to return last season’s debt to fans and boosters. I don’t think I can be a representative point guard in Japan if I can’t return last year’s debt. I want to get results in this club and contribute to the team’s victory. “
He will fight as a professional player in the future, but he says that he has no particular change in his feelings. Still, being able to accompany the team until the end of the season has strengthened his feelings for the team. “The difference between a specially designated player and a professional is that you can play throughout the season. It is a natural goal to be the best in Japan as a team, so I will do my best so that I can achieve results throughout the season. I want to go
Kawamura, who has been attracting a lot of attention since the days of Fukuoka Daichi High School, was enthusiastic regarding influencing not only basketball fans but also many people. “I want to do what only a small player can do, aiming for aggressive and speedy play, and do not blur the style. Hopes and dreams not only for small children and basketball fans, but also for many people. I hope I can play with goals. “
