Former Japanese National Team Player Shinya Sakuragi Reveals Harsh Realities of Professional Basketball: 'Players Who Can't Perform Get Cut' — 'Yuki Kawamura Practiced '1,000 Shots In' Daily,' Unveiling the True Grit Behind Japan's Rising Stars — Special Talk Series Now Streaming on ABEMA

(C) AbemaTV,Inc. (C) AbemaTV,Inc.

ABEMA, the 'new future television,' will provide a free live broadcast of the men's Japanese national team's away game against South Korea (scheduled for July 6, 2026), part of the Asian qualifiers for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Additionally, starting June 29 (Monday), ABEMA has launched a special talk series featuring Shinya Sakuragi, who will serve as a commentator for the broadcast, along with Ryuma Hashimoto, a former Japanese national team player currently with Vertexus Shizuoka, and Sota Katamine, head coach of Fukuoka University Daiyo High School, one of the most renowned high school basketball coaches in Japan.

This special program follows the '88 BASKETBALL × Fukuoka Daiyo SPECIAL CAMP 2026,' a joint initiative between '88 BASKETBALL'—a youth development project led by players Ryuma Hashimoto, Shinya Sakuragi, and former Yokohama B-Corsairs player Anriju Shu Minatani—and Fukuoka University Daiyo High School, one of Japan’s top high school basketball powerhouses. After the camp concluded, a special panel discussion was held featuring Hashimoto, Sakuragi, and Head Coach Katamine. These three figures, deeply knowledgeable about Japanese basketball—one a current B.Leaguer, another a former national team player, and the third the head coach of Japan’s top high school team—shared candid insights on the harsh realities of professional basketball, Japan’s national team competing on the world stage, and the future of Japanese basketball.

Former National Team Player Shinya Sakuragi: 'Players Who Can't Perform Get Cut' — A Candid Look at the Harshness of the Pro World

When asked, 'What do you prioritize when developing players?' Head Coach Katamine replied, 'The most important thing is to keep looking ahead with the players while giving their all to the task at hand.' He emphasized that rather than obsessing over team victories, 'It’s crucial to understand and guide each player’s individual vision as an athlete.' On the topic of 'What kind of players continue to grow?' Katamine stated, 'Players who can turn given opportunities into fuel for their own growth—that’s extremely important.' In response, Sakuragi spoke frankly about the competitive environment in today’s B.League: 'Players who do that see their salaries rise and receive offers. Those who can’t are getting cut or offered lower contracts—that reality is becoming increasingly clear.' He added, 'There’s definitely a clear difference between players who level up and those who struggle to secure contracts.'

Fukuoka Daiyo’s Coach Katamine: 'Yuki Kawamura Practiced “1,000 Shots In” Daily' — The Untold Grit Behind Japan’s International Stars

Discussing Japanese national team players thriving internationally, Coach Katamine spoke about Yuki Kawamura, who played for the Chicago Bulls during the 2025–26 season: 'For him, extraordinary practice routines were completely normal.' He revealed, 'He must have been doing something like “1,000 shots in” every day—not just 1,000 shots attempted.' Katamine highlighted Kawamura’s relentless effort long before high school, also sharing anecdotes about his character and chance encounters. 'If a player like him secures a full NBA contract, it would give Japanese children a huge dream, a sense of hope—that “if you work hard, you can do it too.”' Meanwhile, Sakuragi shared his player’s-eye view of Kawamura’s dramatic transformation. Regarding Rui Hachimura of the Los Angeles Lakers, Coach Katamine praised his growth and elite-level performance: 'Those playoff stats were incredible,' and 'Even a single shot is like art.'

[Video] Fukuoka Daiyo High School’s Coach Katamine on Yuki Kawamura’s Remarkable Dedication

(C) AbemaTV,Inc. (C) AbemaTV,Inc.

Ryuma Hashimoto, Shinya Sakuragi, and Coach Katamine Pick the 'Strongest Japanese National Team' — And Share Visions for Japan’s Basketball Future

Toward the end of the discussion, the trio revealed their ideal starting five under the theme 'The Strongest Japanese National Team.' Both Hashimoto and Sakuragi selected the same five players: Yuki Kawamura, Rui Hachimura, Yuta Watanabe, Josh Hawkinson, and Yudai Baba. Coach Katamine, however, replaced Baba with Yudai Nishida, saying, 'I ended up picking my former student (Yudai Nishida),' prompting playful remarks from Hashimoto and Sakuragi: 'Looks like you showed favoritism!'

During the discussion, Sakuragi expressed his trust in Kawamura, while Hashimoto praised Josh Hawkinson: 'The word “selfless” was made for this guy,' commending his role as a pillar of the national team. Coach Katamine offered a vision for the future: 'We must cultivate the “next generation” after Watanabe and Hachimura,' and 'If we can develop a point guard with size, Japan will become even more solid in competing globally.'

(C) AbemaTV,Inc. (C) AbemaTV,Inc.

The talk also covered exclusive, never-before-heard insights on 'rising U-18 players' and 'the current state of the national team,' packed with behind-the-scenes stories of Japan’s top athletes.

Additionally, the men’s national team’s away game against South Korea on July 6 (Saturday) will feature an expanded broadcast, starting at 6:30 PM—one hour before tip-off. The broadcast will include live on-site footage, team preparations, and real-time updates.

Don’t miss this crucial match on the road to FIBA World Cup qualification—enjoy it alongside ABEMA’s exclusive special content.

Broadcast Details: 'Men’s FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifier – Japan vs South Korea'

Broadcast Date and Time: July 6, 2026 (Monday), 6:30 PM JST onwards (Tip-off at 7:30 PM)

Broadcast URL: https://abema.tv/channels/world-sports/slots/DDjvQyJQiwHY9M

※ This game will be broadcast live for free on ABEMA and also aired on BS Asahi.

※ Broadcast schedule, content, and format are subject to change without prior notice.

Special Talk Series Now Streaming for Free on ABEMA

· '88 BASKETBALL × Fukuoka Daiyo SPECIAL CAMP 2026 – Behind-the-Scenes Coverage'

(C) AbemaTV,Inc.

Streaming URL: https://abema.tv/video/episode/38-438_s40_p568

· 'Japan’s Top High School Basketball Coach Katamine on Player Development'

(C) AbemaTV,Inc.

Streaming URL: https://abema.tv/video/episode/38-438_s40_p569

· 'Sakuragi, Hashimoto, and Katamine Choose the Strongest Japanese National Team'

(C) AbemaTV,Inc.

Streaming URL: https://abema.tv/video/episode/38-438_s40_p570

※ When using images, please credit: (C) AbemaTV,Inc.