TOKYO (FIBA Asia U18 Championship for Women 2016) – Mai Yamamoto was Japan’s leading scorer and star player in the FIBA U17 Women’s World Championships 2016, and she will headline the young Akatsuki Five this year in the FIBA Asia U18 Championship for Women 2016 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The 17-year-old is considered one of the best young women players in Japan, and she is projected to be in dominant form when the games start on November 13. Her rebounding, playmaking and three-point shooting ability epitomize the kind of versatility she brings to the table, and all that will be on full display in Bangkok. She enters the tournament brimming with confidence after her stellar performance at the world level, and her presence should really bolster the rest of the Japanese national side.

Yamamoto shared her thoughts with FIBA.com.

FIBA.com: You were with Japan at the 2016 FIBA U17 World Championship in Zaragoza, Spain. Tell us about your experience.
Yamamoto: The 2016 FIBA U17 Women’s World Championship was the first time for me to take part in the international tournament, but I did great a job by attacking the basket with sharp drives and making some scores. It was unfortunate that the team ended up being in 9th rank in the tournament, where I was a member of the starting five. As for our team in this tournament, we will get wins if we all play together on the defensive end and then run all over the court.  

FIBA.com: China have won the last three editions; do you think Japan can end the Chinese dominance this year? Or will another team step up and deny China an astonishing fourth straight victory?
Yamamoto: This time, the Japan team has some big players with talent in the line-up. For the past years, Japan has been defeated by China and have come up short for the win. We are eager to win this time around, for sure.  

FIBA.com: Who is your basketball role model and why?
Yamamoto: Nobody is special for now. My style of play is to drive with speed. I try to drive in and make their defense fall apart, then dish out to my teammate or go for the score. I try to show my skill not only in passing the ball but more in dribbling to break the defense.

FIBA.com: Do you think your generation of players can emulate the class of 2008 and win the U18 and later dominate the women’s scene in Asia?
Yamamoto: I heard that the last time we won the title was the team with great players like Tokashiki and Mamiya  My final goal is to win the title with this team, looking at the great Japanese team work in the Rio Olympics.

FIBA