After practice, Higashito Nanako responded to interviews (photo) = Basketball King
Welcome to the increase in “classmates” as representatives of the generation
The first training camp for the Japanese women's national team was held from May 20th to 28th. This training camp consisted of 25 people from a wide range of generations, from 35 to 19 years old at the top, and the most common “grade” was the athletes born early in 2000 and 2001.
The six members are Umeki Chinatsu (Denso Iris), Okuyama Rika (Hitachi High-Tech Cougars), Konno Norika (Denso Iris), Higashito Nanako (Toyota Boshoku Sunshine Rabbits), Noguchi Sakura (Aisin Wings), and Hoshi Anri (ENEOS Sunflowers) (affiliated by the 2024-25 season). In the 2024-25 W League season, each of them struggled as an indispensable player in their own team, and most of them have been named for the U18 and 19 women's Japanese national team in the past.
Of these six, Higashito has the highest experience as a member of the Japanese national team. At the age of 20, he participated in the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Although he was the youngest member of the team, he made a strong presence. He has since competed in numerous international competitions and has also participated in the Parish 2024 Games.
New women's team starts under Gaines' new head coach (Photo) = Tajima Sanae
“When I was with the Japan Under-18 and 19 Women's Japan National Team, I thought the level of the members around me was very high. However, since my generation at the time hadn't been selected for the Japanese team very often, I am finally able to recognize everyone's strength and be able to do everything together. So I want to try my best to be selected together (the final member) without being beaten by everyone, and I am also holding a training camp at the NTC (Ajinomoto National Training Center), which reminds me of my time as an U19, and I think it's a bit of a touching touch,” said Higashido, who spoke about the existence of such “classmates.”
At the Tokyo Olympics, he was strongly impressed by the “Defence Higashito,” but when he was a student at Yamanote High School in Sapporo (Hokkaido), he was originally a scorer. He has also been the ace at Toyota Boshoku, which he joined after graduation after graduation, and has a track record of leading the team in both offensive and defense, scoring double-digit goals in many games. Therefore, regarding the current Japanese national team, he said, “During the Tokyo Olympics, I was aware that defense was something I could do, but now it's a basic premise to do that aggressively, and as an added bonus, I'm thinking how much I can contribute to the team through offensive use.” Regarding his role, he said, “I would like to actively aim for shots from the outside, such as three-point shots when the chance is right, and I believe that cutting and paint attacks are one of my roles.”
Enjoy the final roster race naturally amid the new Gaines structure
Public practice was held for the media on the 22nd, but Higashido said, “I was able to relax and relax with the atmosphere of head coach Corey (Gaines). In terms of his playing style, he also values the sense of cutting and matching movements, so in that sense, it's very easy to do it myself.” He also told me, “The concept was introduced at the first meeting, and the concept was similar to Tom (Horbus), so I think the fundamental and sensory aspects are similar.”
As mentioned earlier, the public practice was held in such a bright atmosphere that we were also very impressed by the viewer's side, and despite the contrast, many of the players' expressions were seen.
“It naturally creates that kind of atmosphere. Rather than making it with the intention of making it, I think that it's partly because Head Coach Corey has that kind of atmosphere, and I feel that it's because everyone is enjoying it that way,” says Higashito.
Of course, there will be a race for the team, and in July there will be a Women's Asian Cup to regain the title. Survival will continue as an individual player.
However, Higashito commented in a natural way, “I don't want to try too hard and narrow my vision, and I don't want to forget the fun of being with such good members, so I don't think about anything unnecessary and I want to give up on any panic and confusion and try my best to show off my strengths.” This seems to have been a major part of this due to his accumulation of his team as a Japanese national team, particularly in the competition for the Parisian Games, and he says, “I think I've learned that kind of thing in the three years leading up to Paris.”
Higashido emphasizes his naturalness by saying, “Don't think about unnecessary things and throw away any impatience or confusion” (Photo) = Tajima Sanae
Even though I took part in the Olympics for the second consecutive tournament, it was by no means easy, and I have experienced many challenges. But that must have made her mentally strong. For Higashido, who is trying to approach the situation with a calm mind and not in a state of mind, the atmosphere of the training created by the new manager seems to be a boost, and she smiles and says, “That atmosphere naturally creates, so it's really reassuring.”
“The head coach has changed and the new structure will be set, so I think it's a real start from scratch. How quickly can you understand the head coach's basketball and put it into your own way and deliver it as a performance? I want to cherish that sense of speed.”
The 24-year-old small forward is calm and sometimes passionate about a new battle.
Text and photo by Tajima Sanae
