TENERIFE (FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018) - Just last summer, she was the third-choice point guard in her national team. A trip around the sun later, Manami Fujioka is ready to become a world star.

Her explosion at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2017 saw Japan claim gold, largely thanks to her 19-point, 14-assist, 8-rebound flirtation with a triple-double against China in the Semi-Finals. Fujioka finds inspiration remembering what happened last year.

"I was the third point guard at the time," the 24-year-old said. "But after the starting point guard (Asami Yoshida) got injured, coach asked me to start the game and showed me that he really believed in me. That sign of confidence allowed me to make a huge step, physically and mentally, and I want to keep that same level of confidence for the coming FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup games."

Surely, a club connection with head coach Tom Hovasse helped. Confidence he had given her paid off big time, Fujioka will arrive in Tenerife with a target on her back - after all, this is an All-Star Five member from the last continental championship we are talking about.

"The head coach has his mind set on a medal. I am focusing on how to translate my best abilities to the court, that is what he wants me to do as a point guard," Manami offered, not keeping it a secret that the Japanese plans are to come back home with a new piece of silverware.

After all, the competition in Spain was one of the two main goals Japan set when the crowded training camp of 52 players started in April. Winning a medal would be the perfect boost for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. The first game, against the hosts Spain on Saturday, September 22, will be perfect for the rest of the world to see what Fujioka and her teammates are made of.

"Last July, we had a preparation game in Spain, and there was a huge crowd. I can anticipate that, the support of their fans will be incredible. Of course, I will be a little bit nervous for the first game, but at the same time, I will need to show the confidence needed to play against a team like Spain if we want to have any chance of winning," the Japanese point guard commented.

It couldn't have been scripted any better. From being a third string playmaker, to leading the nation against the hosts in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in just a year. Fujioka could be well on her way towards making the list of notable people from Ichikawa on Wikipedia if Japan go on to provoke a date with USA in San Cristobal de La Laguna.

"Their point guard Sue Bird is my favorite player and I'm looking forward to challenging her, if we ever have a game against the USA."

Fujioka dreams of playing against her favorite player Sue Bird

But even if that doesn't happen, Manami and Japan could still be people's champs of the event because of their playing style.

"Japan's basketball is evolving into a much faster game, and I want to set the tempo as point guard. I want us to have the advantage regardless if we play a stronger or a lower ranked team."

Akatsuki Five will also face Belgium and Puerto Rico in Group C. A solid start is needed if they want to climb onto the podium for the first time since 1975.

FIBA