28 points for former B.League MVP Yuki Kawamura as Akatsuki Japan tie Australia in the second of two games in the Nippon Life Cup 2024.
Akatsuki Japan and Australia engaged in another thriller of a friendly match, but this time it ended in a 95-95 stalemate in the Nippon Life Cup 2024 on Sunday, June 23.
Former B.League MVP Yuki Kawamura was all over the court, putting up 28 points built on four triples he spiked with six assists and two rebounds in over 20 minutes of play.
None was bigger than his booming trey that tied the count at 95 with 18.3 seconds left.
Josh Hawkinson churned out a 23-point performance for the Akatsuki, who fell short against the same team, 90-89, a day before in Sapporo.
Keisei Tominaga chipped in 14 points on four three-pointers, while another former B.League MVP Yuki Togashi had nine points and three assists.
Meanwhile, four Boomers finished in double figures while the rest scored at least two points in the back-and-forth affair.
Alex Toohey led the NBL Select Team with 22 points, five rebounds, two assists, and four steals, while Alex Condon and Elijah Pepper had 13 points apiece.
Game 1 hero Mitch Norton added 10 points, four rebounds, and three dimes.
No player from coach Brian Goorjian’s Olympic pool suited up in the two matches this weekend.
This friendly series marked the official start of Japan’s buildup for Paris 2024 next month.
The East Asian nation qualified for the Olympics after becoming the best Asian team in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, placing in 19th place with a 3-2 win-loss record.
Japan will continue drumming up its preparations for the Olympics, next hosting South Korea in the Softbank Cup 2024 in Tokyo.
That set of friendlies are set in the first week of July.
Story Summary:
- Akatsuki Japan and Australia fight to a 95-95 draw in a thrilling Nippon Life Cup 2024 clash, highlighted by Yuki Kawamura's game-saving three-pointer.
- Kawamura, the 2023 B.League MVP, shines with 28 points for Japan, including four triples.
- Japan is gearing up for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, and the Akatsuki’s next challenge is against South Korea in Softbank Cup 2024 in Tokyo.
[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital team. The summary was generated by AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]