Ryukyu Golden Kings shooting guard Masahiro Waki in action against the Saga Ballooners in the first quarter on November 11, 2024, in Saga. (©B.LEAGUE)
Read the full story on SportsLook - For Ryukyu Golden Kings, Masahiro Waki Proving to Be a Good Choice for Starting Lineup
In his first season as a full-time pro basketball player, Masahiro Waki has emerged as a key contributor for the title-chasing Ryukyu Golden Kings.
The 22-year-old shooting guard has started all 14 games for the Golden Kings (11-3), who are tied for the best record in the B.League's Western Conference with the Shimane Susanoo Magic.
Waki has given the team a spark while proving to be a good fit for the Golden Kings' starting lineup, helping the squad win seven consecutive games.
In the Golden Kings' two-game sweep of the Saga Ballooners on Monday and Tuesday, November 11 and 12, Waki contributed 13 points in the series opener (84-72) and added 10 in a 73-67 triumph the next day in Saga.
He's averaging 8.6 points per game, the sixth-highest scoring average on the team behind Vic Law (15.3), newcomer Keve Aluma (12.8), Ryuichi Kishimoto (12.1), Jack Cooley (11.9) and Alex Kirk (9.8).
During the win streak, Waki scored a season-high 17 points against the Hiroshima Dragonflies on October 27 in the Golden Kings' 88-68 home triumph at Okinawa Arena.
"As an individual, I feel that I am gradually becoming able to play the way I want to play," Waki told reporters after the game. "My teammates believed in me and passed the ball to me, so I took responsibility for my shots and was able to set a new career high in points. I will continue to further hone my skills and contribute to the team."
Waki has also had 10-, 13- (twice) and 14-point performances this season.
Maximizing His Playing Time for the Ryukyu Golden Kings
The 193-cm Kumamoto Prefecture native is averaging 22-plus minutes per game and making his presence felt with hustle plays at both ends of the floor. For instance, he had a game-high five steals, three offensive rebounds and three assists in 27:32 against the Ballooners on Tuesday. And he's had at least one steal in six consecutive games.
Ryukyu is the league's second-highest scoring team (87.0 points per game) and No 1 in rebounding (43.1 per game), facets of the game in which youthful vigor can bolster a team.
Waki attended Hakuoh University and was a dynamic college player. He also gained experience at the pro game while appearing in a combined nine games for the Ibaraki Robots and Golden Kings in the 2021-22 and 2023-24 seasons as a special designation player.
Continue reading the full story on SportsLook.
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Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
