UCLA Basketball Great, ‘95 Champ, Sakuragi To Play For Japan National Team

Former UCLA great basketball player Sakuragi is expected to play for the Japanese National Team at the FIBA Asia Championship in Japan, a qualifier for the Olympic Games, according to The Japan Times.  Sakuragi, as you all know, was a freshman standout for the incredible ‘95 team that brought home to Westwood our 11th national title in hoops.  Who can forget the clutch free throws Sakuragi hit at the end of regulation against top-ranked Stanford at the Farm early that season?!   And who can forget the all-star freshman tandom of Bailey and Sakuragi during the NCAA tourney that year?!  Sakuragi … wait … who??

J.R. Sakuragi … that’s who … formerly known as J.R. Henderson. Now that we cleared that up … let us explain. J.R. had a great 4 years at UCLA and landed at the Grizzlies for one year in the NBA.  He has been playing in Japan since 2001 and has done quite well for himself. Apparently, he’s been seeking Japanese citizenship for some time (the Japan Times article does not say why) and finally had it granted to him July 2, just in time to play for Team Japan at the FIBA Asia Championship.  So J.R. Sakuragi may get to play in the Olympic Games for Japan, although it’s a long shot. Only one team will get the invite, and Japan hasn’t made it since 1976.  There is also this matter of the Chinese team …

Best of luck to a UCLA great .. J.R. by any name .. Bruin and Champion!

Note: China, as the host country, gets the automatic bid so Japan does have an easier road.

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