OSAKA (Japan) - The Akatsuki Five has produced many point guards throughout the years. From Asami Yoshida to the Tokyo Olympic hero Rui Machida, the list of Japan's female point guards is quite impressive. Could Mai Yamamoto be next in line?

"I'm grateful that the other four players saw her fighting spirit there and raised the heat of the defense."

In 19 important minutes in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 Qualifying Tournament Osaka game against Canada, Yamamoto scored made 12 points and recorded 5 assists which were a key part of Japan's furious 20 points comeback run. She was a difference maker in this game, and her offensive skills were a big help in turning around Japan's rocky start.

Shooting with Confidence

At 1.63m (5'4"), Mai has had to find out other ways to make an impact on the floor. For players of her build, usually it is that speed is utilized. For Mai, it is also her shooting and confidence to take shots.

"My strength is shooting, so I do that aggressively and without hesitation, trusting my instincts," she said. "It turned out well, so I'm happy about that."

Mai's 12 points came off a combination of three-pointers and highlight worthy layups, and her alley-oop assist to Ramu Tokashiki was even named to be one of Nike Top Plays of the Day.

Young veteran

Though she is one of the younger players on this team at 22 years old, she carries herself like a winner with a strong mindset. That is because she is an Olympian herself. She did not play for the team that brought back Japan an historic silver medal in Tokyo, but she was a key member of the 3x3 japanese squad that finished at 5th place. Also, she was MVP for U23 3x3 world cup 2019.

She's always said that the experience has helped her a lot in becoming more mature, tough, and aggressive.

Pitbull

With that toughness and aggressiveness, Mai has an important part of Japan's defensive schemes despite being the smallest player on one of the smallest teams in the competition.

Japan head coach, Toru Onzuka, explained how much of a positive effect Yamamoto's hard-nosed defense has had on the team.

"She played physically," he said. "And not only did she play physically, she played while thinking about what the opponent wouldn't like to see her do. I'm grateful that the other four players saw her fighting spirit there and raised the heat of the defense."

Lighting it up on offense or locking it down on defense, Mai Yamamoto showed in the first game in Osaka that she is capable of doing it all. With her creativity on offense and impacting on defense with her pitbull mentality, 2022 might be the year that this little wizard shines bright on the court.

FIBA