“GOLD STANDARD” is a series that highlights the thoughts and perspectives of our coaches and players as we continue to look through their own eyes to learn what it is like to play professional sports. Throughout this series we introduce you to the on-court struggles and the grueling off-court work regimen of the players. In addition, we offer you a peek behind the scenes, highlights of the King’s basketball philosophy and much more!
Vol.6 is an interview with our new member, #30 Keita Imamura. Imamura came to the Kings from Niigata Prefecture where he was born and raised and lived his entire life. We will explore Imamura’s roots and learn more about his determination as a professional player.
Coming to Okinawa.
I was born and raised in Niigata Prefecture, so this is the first time for me to live away from my hometown. I decided to come to Okinawa because of the special environment here that would allow me to aim high and develop as a basketball player.
The Kings’ players have all been extremely welcoming and accommodating so I have been able to fully dedicate myself to basketball without too much stress from moving to a new place. I am grateful to #3 Narito Namizato and #32 Yuki Mitsuhara for often inviting me out to eat. I was also grateful that #1 Seiya Funyu, who also joined the Kings this season, invited me to go out to eat the day after we first met. After we ate, he took me to the golf range and swimming. Even though it was our first-time meeting, I was glad to be able to interact with my new teammate on this level right away.
Playing for the Kings
After participating in practice, I realized that Kings’ team is filled with people who are truly passionate about basketball. The demands of each individual are high, and I feel that we are taking basketball seriously. This type of environment is incredible, and it continues to give me a great amount of daily determination. The team staff also has highly skilled and intense workouts targeted for the benefit of the individual player and for the team as a whole. The workouts increase my level of motivation.
During this off-season, my attitude towards the defense changed drastically. We are focusing on how to get one step ahead and how to contact more in order to make it difficult for the opponent’s offense. Developing a more focused attitude toward the defense seems to be a good approach to reaching the Kings’ goal of “being the hardest working team in Japan.” I also think that since defense is my weakness and it is an essential element for being able to play at a higher level, it is an area where I have a lot of room for improvement. The greater the challenge, the more rewarding the results will be.
On the offensive end, head coach Fujita expects me to be a play maker, thus many plays will start with my actions. I would like to increase the level of connection between the five players on the court in order to create better synchronized movements. I am confident in my capability of doing this and I want the fans to look forward to watching it happen out on the court.
Imamura’s Roots
From elementary school to junior high school I was not very tall, so I played as a guard. Playing this position taught me how to compete against the bigger players by shooting from the outside. When I entered high school, I was about 172 cm and by my third year I grew to about 187 cm. As players get taller, coaches tend to convert them to inside positions such as PF & C, but my high school coach let me continue to play as a wing player and it built the foundation of my playing style. Now, people around me say "Imamura is a shooter", but every time I hear that, I still wonder, "am I really a shooter?" I consider myself a “scorer” and a “play maker”. Outside shooting is just one way to score points.
The style of basketball coach Fujita is trying to implement is a style that I prefer and want to execute. Coach Fujita once said, “all plays should be for the team” and that comment really stuck with me. There were times in college when I felt I had different goals from my teammates so I would become a little selfish on the court when running plays. At that time, my former teacher, Shingo Tamaki (Niigata University of Management) would say, “be a team player'', and I would realize again that my underlying play style needed to be for the sake of the team and not just myself. Being a team player ultimately results in individual benefits as well. As a team all things on the court are connected and relevant.
As a Professional Player
This is my third season as a professional player. My first year as a professional, I didn't have enough self-awareness as a professional basketball player. When I make mistakes, I feel as if I am supported by more people than I think so I want to be a player who can do more to contribute to the people who show me their support.
When I was in Niigata, I met with children weekly who were affiliated with a basketball school. A future dream of mine is to become a professional player who is a good role model and contributes more to children. Looking at the faces of professional athletes, almost all of them are players who have advanced through an elite pathway, but I think that I can motivate others with my story because I am a professional athlete who came from a rural area.
I think the world is really going through a difficult time now. There are many people who have lost various opportunities, not just related to basketball and I cannot imagine what it must be like being in that position. I think that children playing sports must have a lot of emotions right now. I think they are frustrated with everything they have lost and with their inability to reach their goals. It is times like these where I want to put forth all of my energy and play as hard as I can. In these difficult times, I think that if we, just by playing basketball can give even one person hope and something to look forward to, then we have served our purpose.
I have been supported by many people my entire career. Since I will be a member of the Kings this season, I would like to give it my all on and off the court so that I can bring enthusiasm and excitement to our many fans and become a face to be remembered.
Thank you all for your support.
