SOPRON (Hungary) - While we all love consuming highlight reels of buckets and assists in this fast-paced digital age, don't forget to shower some appreciation on those ballers who's main asset is defense. 

Not just defense, but also leadership.

Sat somewhere near the top of a global list of ballers with these sometimes overlooked but incredible attributes is Himawari Akaho.

"I WILL USE MY SPEED AND FEET TO STOP THE OPPONENT AND I WANT PEOPLE TO SEE THAT OUR DEFENSE TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THIS."

 

An anchor for Japan at the defensive end during their toughest moments on the court, Akaho will be ready to quietly go about her ever-impressive business at the FIBA Women's Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Sopron. 

Three years ago in Amman, Jordan at the FIBA Women's AsiaCup 2021, just a few months after that historic and epic run to the Olympic title game in Tokyo, something wholesome happened.

Akaho was crowned MVP in the wake of a staggering fifth straight silverware success for Japan.

Wholesome because finally, a player was rewarded not for eye-popping numbers or how many times they starred on the highlights reel but because of their incredible influence on the team at the other end of the floor.

Although Akaho did still deliver some headline moments, her last-gasp block in the Semi-Finals with Australia still stands out in the memory as one of the plays of the tournament.

Now, as the plane wheels prepare to touch down on Hungarian soil, Japan need her skills more than ever. They're heading into the toughest pool imaginable to face FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 Semi-Finalists Canada, the ever-dangerous Spain, and a resurgent Hungary that will look to ride on the energy and emotion of home support.

As usual, Japan will be undersized compared to their rivals. Hungary have a huge and extended frontcourt rotation, Canada are super tough under the basket and Spain have beefed up their interior presence by adding the newly naturalized Megan Gustafson.

Consequently, Akaho is ready to make the most of her mobility and quickness to try and nullify that physical presence when the action gets underway.

"In order to prevent the opponent from attacking near the basket, I am conscious of putting my body on the line and stopping the opponent in the early stages," she revealed, as per the Japan Basketball Association (JBA).

"I will use my speed and feet to stop the opponent and I want people to see that our defense that takes advantage of this."

That will be sweet music to the ears of Japan's fans. Even more exciting is that the defensive powerhouse label is one that Akaho could be changing.

The forward is evolving into something more of an all-rounder and that could mean heightened production at the offensive end, too, something she previously showed at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 Qualifying Tournament. 

Whatever ultimately happens for Japan in this 'Group of Death' situation, the one guarantee is that they are fortunate to have a baller in Akaho that offers a rock-solid foundation to base their WOQT campaign on.

Meanwhile when the action tips-off, we should probably all make an effort to keep a closer eye on those who do that priceless defensive work for their teams - as well as those racking up clicks on entertaining highlight reels.

FIBA