Taichi Nakamura (28, Rising Zephyr Fukuoka) has returned to Korea after three years.
The men's basketball team, led by coach Ahn Jun-ho, defeated their rival Japan 91-77 in an exhibition match held at Anyang Gymnasium at 7 p.m. on the 11th. Korea will play the second game against Japan on the 13th.
Lee Hyun-jung and Yeo Jun-seok, both overseas tall forwards, shined. Lee Hyun-jung scored a team-high 25 points, hitting four 3-pointers at critical moments. Notably, when Korea was trailing, his drive to the basket resulted in a basket count, displaying remarkable energy.
Yeo Jun-seok recorded 18 points, six rebounds, and three assists, including a dunk that secured the victory late in the fourth quarter. The two overseas players made significant contributions to defeat Japan.
Familiar faces were seen among the Japanese national team. One of them was Taichi Nakamura, who played as an Asia quota player for Wonju DB from 2020 to 2022. He also has a connection with Lee Dae-sung, having played together at the Shihos Mikawa during the 2022-23 season. The reporter also has a connection with Taichi, having met him in Mikawa in 2023.
The Japanese national team did not select experienced players like Yuki Togashi for rest reasons. Key players such as Yuki Kawamura, Yudai Baba, and Keisei Tominaga were excluded from the NBA Summer League. Aside from naturalized center Josh Hawkinson, the team consisted of young players.
On this day, Taichi scored 13 points, including three 3-pointers, ranking second on the team behind Hawkinson, who scored 14 points. At 191 cm, Taichi is a tall point guard, which is rare in Japan, leading to high expectations.
After the game, Taichi said, "I have dreamed of being a national team player since I was young. Playing as a representative of Japan in Korea felt even more special. Traveling for away games as a national team member heightened my sense of responsibility. It was a nostalgic feeling to play with (Kim) Jong-kyu on the national team."
Taichi played 37 games for DB during the 2020-21 season, averaging 4.6 points. After losing the positional competition for the next season, he eventually left Korea. He had a connection with his mentor, Lee Sang-beom, during his high school days at Ohori Senior High School, where four players from the current national team graduated, making it one of Japan's top prestigious schools. Taichi welcomed the congratulations from Coach Lee Sang-beom upon becoming a national team member.
The game against Korea was not easy. Taichi primarily matched up against Lee Jung-hyun and Jung Sung-woo. Lee Jung-hyun scored 17 points, including five 3-pointers. Yoo Ki-sang also added 18 points with five 3-pointers. Taichi acknowledged, "The Korean players' three-point shooting was impressive. I thought they showed great boldness in shooting the three-point shots."
Japan's head coach, Tom Hovasse, noted, "Many young players came this time. Losing will teach us and we will improve. I expect to have a better game on Sunday."
The current Japanese national team is actually taller on average than Korea. Korea was out-rebounded by Japan 31-39. The current Japanese national team has only one player, Harper Jr., at around 180 cm. Taichi, at 191 cm, is among the shorter players on the team.
Taichi stated, "The Japanese players have become younger and bigger, but their experience and BQ are low. It is not easy to adapt to the national team since B League teams employ a variety of tactics. Even if veterans like Yuki Togashi return, we must compete boldly for starting positions. I am aware of my role."
Taichi expressed, "I have become close with Mun Jung-hyun, Lee Hyun-jung, and Yang Jae-min, and Jung Sung-woo kindly spoke to me. I've come to Korea after a long time and will make sure to play well in the next game." He vowed to win the second game.
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