Kings U18 #29 Shunsuke Miyazato Player Report on Men's U17 Japan National Team Activities

From June 27 (Sat) to July 5 (Sun), Kings U18 #29 Shunsuke Miyazato competed as a member of the Men's U17 Japan National Team at the 'FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2026' held in Istanbul, Turkey.

This report reflects on the experience and lessons learned on the world's highest stage, presented in the player's own words.

◾️ Gained confidence in attacking, but physicality remains a challenge

At this tournament, where young talents from 16 nations gathered, Japan faced powerhouses such as the United States—eight-time defending champions—as well as France and Italy, finishing 14th overall with a record of one win and six losses.

Standing 179cm, point guard Miyazato played in all seven games, recording an average of 3.1 assists per game—the second-highest on the team. While experiencing the world's elite level of size, physical strength, and speed, he played a key role in orchestrating the team's offense and actively drove toward the basket himself.

In the early stages of the tournament, he faced intense defensive pressure from opponents with unprecedented height and physical strength.

In the final group-stage match against France, he made repeated mistakes, including having passes stolen early in the game. Reflecting on his performance, he said, 'Repeating the same mistakes isn't acceptable. I let the team down.' Nevertheless, he quickly recovered, avoiding dwelling on errors, and began aggressively advancing the ball, scoring floaters after paint attacks.

※Photo taken during a Kings U18 match

Miyazato candidly identified his own weaknesses: 'I overthink and tend to retreat under pressure.' To confront this, he strongly focused during the tournament on adopting the mindset of 'being a threat to the opponent.'

As a point guard, enabling teammates requires not only passing but also drawing defensive attention by scoring himself. Relying solely on passing won't create defensive mismatches; it's essential to drive aggressively and become a scoring threat from beyond the arc as well.

In this tournament, he scored in double digits in two games and recorded 7 assists in Japan's only victory—against Venezuela in their sixth match. Miyazato noted, 'As the games progressed, my decision-making improved, and there were moments when my paint attacks were effective,' expressing a sense of progress.

On the other hand, he acknowledged areas for improvement: 'In domestic games, I can finish shots without physical contact when matched side-by-side, but here, I often couldn't even attempt a shot without initiating contact. I lacked strength and was often overpowered.'

Even in passing, international players had longer arms and significantly faster reaction times than usual opponents, causing split-second hesitation when he thought, 'Will this pass get stolen?' This reinforced his belief: 'I need to drastically improve the quality of my play.'

◾️ Training with a 'global standard' mindset

Competing on the world stage has transformed Miyazato's mindset. He stated, 'Having had this experience, I must return to my team and elevate not only my own level but also the team's overall quality.' He is determined to bring the valuable insights gained internationally back to Kings U18.

Back in Japan, it will be difficult to routinely face the same level of physicality and height as the elite players he competed against. Therefore, Miyazato believes maintaining a high level of daily awareness is crucial.

For every play, he now asks himself: 'Would this play work against a world-class opponent?' and 'How would a top-tier player handle this situation?' In response to advice from both the national team and Kings U18 coaching staff, he plans to 'review each day's practice, aligning my play with global standards,' viewing this as key to his development.

※Photo taken during a Kings U18 match

At this tournament, Miyazato was particularly inspired by two guards—Australia's #7 Luke Paul and USA's #12 Beckham Black—both named to the tournament's All-Star Five. 'Both players are highly skilled, incredibly calm, and see the court exceptionally well. They control the game and can score themselves. That's the kind of guard I want to become,' he said, setting them as his role models.

This tournament featured high-level duels among the world's brightest young talents, many projected as future NBA draft prospects. For a 16-year-old high school sophomore, experiencing this global standard will raise his personal performance bar and serve as vital fuel for future growth.

The cycle—where daily efforts at Kings U18 lead to global challenges, and global experiences are brought back to strengthen the team—will benefit not only Miyazato but the entire organization. This experience has become a significant asset for both the player and Kings U18.

We ask for your continued support for Miyazato, a rising star representing Japan's youth basketball generation.