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.
After Waki made his Ryukyu debut on December 31, 2023, Golden Kings coach Dai Oketani commented on his defensive effort.
"His defense is pretty good. I would like to use Waki if possible," Oketani said, according to Basket Count, a Japanese-language basketball website.
Waki is Determined to Improve His All-Around Game
Ambitious and determined to succeed as a pro, Waki told Basket Count in February 2024 that he believes playing for the Golden Kings will help him further develop his all-around game.
"I joined the Kings knowing that it would not be easy to win playing time," Waki said before he signed a contract for the 2024-25 season.
He pointed out that he could learn something from each of the team's veteran players. Then he said, "Playing time is not something that is given to you, it is something you have to earn, and I want to learn from the seniors first."
Utilizing his ability to drive to the basket, Waki's athleticism was on display against the Ballooners this week. One of his top highlights in the two-game series was a nifty baseline reverse layup on Tuesday.
Waki, who has made 8 of 24 3-point attempts this season, said earlier this year that he aims to become a more dependable long-range shooter.
"I wasn't a very good 3-point shooter in college, but I'm getting better at it by hitting [shots], and I'm gaining confidence," he was quoted as saying by Basket Count.
Around the B.League
Due to the upcoming 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, the B.League has a break over the next few weeks. It will resume its season on November 30.
Heading into the break, the Chiba Jets, Utsunomiya Brex, Alvark Tokyo and San-en NeoPhoenix are tied for the best record (12-2) in the 24-team league.
Mark your calendar: The Jets play host to the Golden Kings on November 30 and December 1 at LaLa arena TOKYO-BAY.
The Brex have the league's longest current win streak with 12 straight victories. And the Shiga Lakes (1-13) have the worst overall record.
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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.
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