Yuki Togashi (JPN)
27/02/2017
Asia
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Togashi wishes to realize dream of playing at FIBA Asia Cup and beyond

TOKYO (FIBA Asia Cup 2017) - Yuki Togashi has been hogging the headlines of Japan's shiny new B. League these past few months. He has been among the league's most potent offensive players and all the excitement peaked when he was named All-Star Game MVP in January.

With Togashi fast becoming a household name in Japanese basketball circles, there is really just one more thing missing: for the 1.67m point guard to make his mark in the international basketball scene with Japan's national team.

That, however, is likely to change very soon as the Chiba Jets playmaker is expected to play a vital role for the Akatsuki Five in the FIBA Asia Cup 2017.

"I don't have much experience in the national team yet," Togashi said. "But I am working hard to show people what I am made of in the B-league and hopefully that leads me to the FIBA Asia Cup."

Togashi is currently among the B. League leaders in assists with 4.1 per game and he is also one of the best local scorers with close to 13 points per contest. According to him, there's no secret to his success. It's just good, old fashioned hard work that he also plans to apply if and when he gets called up to play in the FIBA Asia Cup.

"All I do is play hard in any game in the B. League," he explained. "I will do the same for the national team if I am selected."

Aside from the fact he has never played in any FIBA Asia senior national team competition, Togashi also knows the significance of this year's FIBA Asia Cup, especially since Japan will be hosting the 2020 Olympics. For Togashi and many other Japanese hoop nuts, Japan must be among the qualified teams in 2020 and they can achieve that with a very good showing at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019. Of course, in order to get there, the Akatsuki Five must first impress in the FIBA Asia Cup and do well in the home-and-away qualifiers.

"I understand it is very important for Japan to do well in the FIBA Asia Cup as this is part of our path for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020," he said. "We must gain experience as we take part in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 and play as many games as possibly to get a feel of world class basketball."

Togashi, Japan's last player to grace the NBA Summer League, is aware of how difficult the mission is going to be. He knows that all other Asian sides will be bringing top tier talent to Lebanon later this year, and the inclusion of Oceania powers New Zealand and Australia make it even more challenging.

"I know it is hard to play against the best in Asia," he shared. "But, at the same time, I feel so excited to challenge them, especially Australia, which has NBA players."

As one of the top point guards in the B. League, Togashi is expected to bring his trademark speed, playmaking and perimeter shooting to bear for the national team, and he is determined to not shy away from such an opportunity.

"I am great at the offensive end as a point guard, so I would like to attack using all my skills," he said.

For Togashi and the other members of Japan's national pool - most of whom are in the B. League - their main target is clear. Japan must advance to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019

"No doubt, our goal is to make it to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019." - Togashi

When Togashi debuts at the men's level for Japan this year, that will be a realization of his own personal dream, but if Japan makes it to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019, that will be a realization of an even bigger dream - that of an entire country's.

FIBA