Akatsuki Five debut to have significant meaning for Ryan Rossiter

TOKYO (Japan) - Japan's roster for the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers features a slew of familiar names. Whether it’s the towering Takeuchi twins, Makoto Hiejima, or Yuki Togashi, these Japanese stars have been the featured faces of the program over the years.

Japan's 12-player roster for FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers
Ryan Rossiter	Seiya  Ando	Yuki Togashi	Makoto Hiejima
Kosuke Takeuchi	Joji Takeuchi	Leo Vendrame	Shuto Ando
Kosuke Kanamaru	Daiki Tanaka	Avi Koki Schafer	Tenketsu Harimoto

 

However, as they head into the first games of Asia Cup qualification, there is an interesting name among the list of players. Japan basketball fans know him well, but they might not have expected to see him be a part of the national team.

After nearly a decade playing in the B.League with Utsunomiya Brex, Ryan Rossiter is set to play as a member of the Akatsuki Five.

“It's great opportunity. It means a lot to me. I've played against these guys for 7 years now and have become my friends,” says the 30-year-old. “Now I have the opportunity to compete with them. It's a big honor. I'm really looking forward to the game on Monday.”

Rossiter has been a long time teammate with Kosuke Takeuchi at Utsunomiya Brex. They won a B.League title together in 2017 and are sitting at the top of the standings with a 30-9 record so far this year. The two are also joined by teammate Makoto Hiejima in this national team squad.

As Rossiter mentions, he’s played in Japan for nearly a decade now. Whether it’s close teammates like Kosuke or Hiejima or fierce rivals like Daiki Tanaka from Alvark Tokyo, Rossiter has developed a strong bond with Japan and it's basketball community.

It is a bond that gives much meaning to this opportunity where Rossiter will get to represent the country.

“I spend 90 percent of my year [in Japan],” he says. “I was born in New York but I see my team and these guys much more than I see my family. I've become really comfortable here and it's going to mean a lot to actually put a jersey on and see the Japanese fans.”

“Some are Brex fans and some are Alvark fans but at the end of the day, they are all Japan fans. It's going to mean a lot to play in the national team.”

This will be the first time Rossiter plays in the national team setting under coach Julio Lamas. Since Japan might be looking at the opportunity to place Rossiter as a long-term part of the program, these Qualifier games will give him time to build up familiarity outside of team practices.

“I think anytime you can play a real game against outside competition, it supports the chemistry of the team and just see how we face adversity. Practices are very controlled so we all know what we're doing. Put that in the game, then there are officials and the nother team and you really get to see how it's going be in a real game.”

Rossiter’s debut with Japan is expected to be on 24 February when they go out to visit Chinese Taipei at the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium. The 2.06M (6’9”) center doesn’t have any specific impressions on his upcoming opponents as it is the first Qualifiers game for both teams, but there is one thing he is sure of.

“I'm sure they'll play hard,” says Rossiter. “I play sometimes with [teams form Chinese Taipei] in the pre-season tournaments and they always compete. They are always very physical and well coached, so I'm sure it's going to be an aggressive, physical game.”

FIBA