The big man gets another call-up from the Akatsuki Five.
The Japanese men’s national basketball team is ramping up its preparations for the FIBA World Cup. Part of kicking things into higher gear was putting together a rock-solid 25-man pool, from which Japan’s best-of-the-best will be picked to represent the land of the rising sun in the game’s grandest stage. Headlining the star-studded list are NBA stars Rui Hachimura of the Los Angeles Lakers and Yuta Watanabe of the Brooklyn Nets.
Aside from the Purple and Gold’s versatile forward and the Brooklyn marksman, another familiar name who’s included in Japan’s extended pool, is Nick Fazekas. Back in 2012, the 38-year-old big man played in the PBA as an import for the Petron Blaze Boosters, wherein he averaged 30.5 points and 18 rebounds through seven games. Joining them in the deeply talented pool is Filipino pivot Matthew Aquino. The former Adamson Soaring Falcon is just one of several Japan B.League standouts who received a call-up from the Japanese national team.
At the moment, Aquino is a member for the Shinshu Brave Warriors in the Japanese pro league, wherein he normed 2.9 points and 1.5 rebounds this past season. Obviously, he’s been producing modest numbers. But the intangibles his 6-foot-9 frame brings are enough for the Japanese contingent to give him recognition. He has already played for Japan in the 2023 FIBA Asian Qualifiers in February, and was again in consideration for the sixth window.
The son of legendary PBA player Marlo Aquino has been aiming to make a name for himself and build his own legacy. And as it appears, playing hoops overseas is the path he chose to achieve his goal.