FIBA U17W - Mawuli taking next step for Japan

AMSTERDAM (2012 FIBA U17 World Championship for Women) – It’s not just her appearance that makes Evelyn Mawuli stand out at the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship for Women. The power forward is the sole dark-skinned player on the Japanese team in Amsterdam, but she’s also a highly-skilled low post player on the motivated and ambitious reigning U16 Asian champions.

Mawuli’s dark complexion comes from her parents being born in Ghana and coming to Japan 18 years ago – shortly before Mawuli was born in Japan.

The Toyohashi native definitely possesses the skills to become a Japanese senior national team player.

“She plays inside and does a good job rebounding the ball. And she also plays good defense inside. Those are her best skills,” said Japan coach Shinichiro Hayashi.

And Hayashi said Mawuli has taken some strong strides since the 2011 U16 FIBA Asia Championship.

“She used to make a lot of turnovers. But she doesn’t any more. And now she can run now and play much more physical,” said Hayashi, who coached Japan to an undefeated run to the 2011 U16 FIBA Asia title in Jinan, China last December.

Hayashi believes the way Mawuli is developing she can make the next step to the senior team.

“We need inside players because we are a very small team. But they can play inside,” said the U17 coach.

Hayashi, however, believes that Mawuli would need a little work on her outside game to become a truly versatile weapon for Japan later on.

“Now she can only play inside. But in a few years she could possibly play outside as well. And that would be a big help for us,” said Hayashi.

Mawuli for her part thinks Japan have a system in place that can beat every team in Amsterdam.

“I think that we are very quick against taller players. And we can play like that against any country,” she said.

When asked what her goal at the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship for Women is, Mawuli responded immediately – “champion”.

Motivated and ambitious, that’s any top level basketball player – regardless of appearance.

FIBA