With three of the more experienced national players out, the Japanese men's national squad preparing to face Spain in the Kirin Cup Basketball 2002 was left pondering on one word: youth.
At a news conference on Thursday, the Japan Basketball Association announced its 15-member squad for the three-game exhibition event, which begins July 25 in Kobe.
The roster did not include point guard Yuta Tabuse and forwards Michael Takahashi and Takehiko Orimo.
Five players were under 23, with an average team age of 25.3. "I hope the younger players will gain confidence with this event and contribute to the future of Japanese basketball," said team captain and power forward Satoru Furuta, who is the oldest member at 30.
After the game in Kobe, the teams will play in Hiroshima on July 27 and at Yoyogi No. 2 Gymnasium in Tokyo on July 28. Tabuse, who recently signed with Toyota Alvark after playing two seasons for Brigham Young University-Hawaii, is still recovering from a nagging left ankle injury which he suffered last year.
He will not play with the national team for the rest of the year, according to Hirofumi Numata, director of the men's national team committee.
Takahashi, who failed to land a contract with another team after the Isuzu GigaCats folded, is currently in the U.S. But Numata said he expects Takahashi to join the national team when the two sides negotiate on terms next week.
"We want Michael on the team," Numata said. Orimo will join the team after the Kirin Cup. Spain finished third in the 2001 European Championships.
Coach Kenji Yoshida said the event will test his team ahead of the Asian Games in Pusan, South Korea, in September.
Ticket information is available from the Japan Basketball Association at (03) 3481-2347.