TEHRAN (Iran) - Keshawn McNeill believes that the experience he's gained in the United States will help a great deal now that he starts what could be a long journey with Japan beginning in the FIBA U18 Asian Championship 2022.

"Playing against other players in the United States, and having experienced the physical play and size differences there gave me an advantage that I will bring to the team," the 18-year-old from Kanagawa offered.

McNeill was part of Tokyo Samurai, a youth basketball organization established back in 2014 that's committed to home talents by exposing them in high-level competitions not just in Japan, but in the US as well.

 
Joining the academy, he said, made him approach the game more seriously. And the decision to go there turned out to be the best he's made.

McNeill is now an incoming freshman at Saint Francis University, joining a long list of Tokyo Samurai alumni that had earned NCAA Division I opportunities.

"After joining Tokyo Samurai I started to take the game more seriously and devote a lot of time to improve," the Zama Middle High product said.

Among those who've come from the Samurai program is Avi Schafer, a Georgia Tech product who has now become an Akatsuki Japanstaple.

The Osaka-born forward made his Japan NT debut in the 2016 FIBA Asia U18 Championship also in Tehran, where he helped his side bag a silver medal and earn a ticket to the 2017 U19 World Championship.

McNeill looks up to Schafer and he definitely wants to have the same impact his senior has, especially in representing the flag and country.

"People like Avi really set the standard for lots of half-nationality kids like myself," said the 1.84 M (6'0) guard, who patterns his game to Jimmy Butler. "It would be the greatest honor to play for my country and bring back a medal."

"And also represent my community in Camp Zama and make them proud. And, show the world Japan has great talent," McNeill closed.

FIBA