‘The Japanese Steph Curry’ plays home games in Lincoln, Nebraska

• Myron Medcalf, ESPN

  • Staff WriterNov 22, 2023, 08:30 AM ET Close Covers college basketball
  • Joined ESPN.com in 2011
  • Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato

LINCOLN, Neb.– Keisei Tominaga was starving. Being in a space with his colleagues for a video shoot before the season, the Japanese guard for the Nebraska Cornhuskers saw a crowd of students collected outside and knew he ‘d be hounded if he delegated discover something to consume.

“He was unable to walk one 2nd without someone coming by and requesting a selfie,” said Luca Virgilio, Nebraska’s director of basketball techniques and company operations. “So he asked a supervisor, ‘Hey, can you grab food for me from throughout the hall? Since if I need to walk there, I’m never going to get there.'”

Since his arrival in Lincoln in 2021, Tominaga has actually been a rock star off the court, and a gifted player on it. He made 40% of his 3-point attempts last season and assisted the Cornhuskers end the 2022-23 season on a favorable note by winning six of 8 before the Big Ten competition. He’s balancing 11.0 PPG this campaign for an unbeaten Cornhuskers squad after missing the first 2 games with an ankle injury.Tominaga is the most recognizable player on the lineup in the state capital which includes three times more cows (6.8 million)than people (1.9 million). He’s also popular 6,117 miles away in his hometown of Moriyama Nagoya Aichi, Japan, where he’s referred to as “The Japanese Steph Curry.” He prevents trips to the shopping mall there because of the relentless ask for photos.TCL Player of the

Video Game Keisei Tominaga had six 3-pointers in Japan’s win that qualified them to the 2024 Olympics!

#FIBAWC x #WinForJapan|#InspireGreatness pic.twitter.com/m1IWDN9Tjz!.?.!— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023

(@FIBAWC )September 2, 2023 A lot so that he has actually emerged

, together with Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura and Phoenix Suns forward Yuta Watanabe, as one of the faces of the sport in the archipelago country of 126 million. In October, Japanese media flew to Lincoln for an exhibition game.For Japan, Tominaga balanced 6.9 PPG– the leading mark– for the 3-on-3 squad in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Three months back, he starred on the nationwide team in the FIBA World Cup. The team completed initially among Asian countries in the standings and received the Olympics for the first time considering that 1976( as the host country of the 2020 Games, Japan immediately qualified). Their 80-71 win over Cape Verde– in which Tominaga scored 22 points– was the most-watched program in Japan in 2023, per FIBA, which also noted that 23% of the Tokyo metro location tuned in.”When he had [the ankle injury], it was news in Japan,”stated Miwa Shirasaka

, a Lincoln resident from Japan.”A lot of individuals watched the FIBA World Cup. He’s one of the well-known players [in Japan]”Love it, Keisei!– Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) February 16, 2023 However Tominaga is at Nebraska with

an objective: End up being

the 4th player in NBA history born in Japan– after Yuta Tabuse, Hachimura

and Watanabe– and, in doing so, effect the next generation of basketball players in his home country. He left Japan for America because he thought the basketball competition would use him the best chance to maximize his talent and ultimately dip into the next level.Over the summer season, he went into the NBA draft and worked out for the Indiana Pacers before picking to go back to Lincoln. And he’ll represent Japan at the 2024 Olympics next summertime. He still faces some challenges to his dream, nevertheless– Tominaga isn’t presently listed on any trustworthy 2024 NBA draft boards, and the NBA isn’t known for preparing 6-foot-2, 175-pound shooters who do not play above the rim. Scoot Henderson( No. 2) was the only player 6-2 or smaller to be selected in the 2023 draft.Tominaga knows those odds. “I simply needed to know, ‘What do I need to enhance?’and get feedback from the NBA groups so I can get better,'” Tominaga stated of the experience with the Pacers.

“I was considering going to play in Japan however I feel like this is my finest opportunity to play in the NBA. Playing in the Big 10 is a huge deal. That’s [partially] why I chose to come back here. [The NBA] is my dream.” When he concerned America in 2019– he began his career at Ranger College, a junior college in Ranger, Texas– he couldn’t speak English. He felt alone and questioned his decision. Considering that showing up in Lincoln, nevertheless, Tominaga is comfortable and

successful. He’s developed a neighborhood, and discovered a second home.”It’s cool because I don’t feel like I came from Japan,” Tominaga stated. “I have a whole household here. I’m having fun here. I feel amazing. I feel I made a terrific choice coming here.” play 0:19 Nebraska’s Tominaga does the Steph look-away 3 Nebraska guard Keisei Tominaga doesn’t see his 3-pointer go in.NEBRASKA HEAD COACH Fred Hoiberg can tell the difference between a streaky shooter and real one. Hepays

attention to a player’s form and release. He keeps in mind where a player stands and the method he leaps off the flooring before he conjectures.

Consistency matters to him.Those compulsive characteristics turned Hoiberg into an NBA guard who shot 39.6 %from beyond the arc– the No. 62 mark in NBA history– over 10 seasons. When Tominaga showed up on school, Hoiberg wished to know if the player who had actually made 48%of his 3-pointers at Ranger might recreate the very same consistency at the Division I level.So he grabbed a ball and tossed it to Tominaga in the left corner of the court.Tominaga made 26 successive threes. “I resembled,’All right, this kid can shoot, ‘”Hoiberg stated. “Without a warmup shot, without anything, he simply went right to the left corner. I tossed him a ball and he just started making shot after shot after shot.”It started on a toy hoop in his house. Well, a few of them.Tominaga’s mom

, Hitomi, played expert basketball in Japan, while his daddy, Hiroyuki, was a 6-11 center for the national group and other Japanese pro clubs for a years. Keisei might not have actually acquired the genes of his towering father, however he established a love for basketball through them– and from enjoying DVDs of Kobe Bryant. So to satisfy their child’s growing passion, his parents put toy hoops throughout their house.”[ They remained in] every room,”Tominaga said.”Even in the bathroom, I had a toy hoop. I feel like I always had a ball with me. Even if I went somewhere shopping, in the car, I had a ball.” Keisei Tominaga with his parents, Hiroyuki and

Hitomi– both former basketball players in Japan who supported his interest in the sport– and Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg, who recruited him from Ranger College. Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports Eventually, he was recognized asa possibility to watch. When Steph Curry explored Japan in 2017, Tominaga was chosen to be an ambassador for Japanese basketball at one of the NBA star’s youth camps.”He’s my favorite player,”Tominaga said. “My idol. It was an extremely cool experience for me. I was really anxious. We had a translator. He informed me,’ There are probably going to be some difficult times in America however just keep doing what you’re doing.’He said,’ Never ever look down and keep doing your thing

.’It was remarkable.” On the other side of the world, Virgilio– Nebraska’s director of basketball methods and service operations– was working at St. John’s in 2019 when he became aware of Tominaga from a global contact who had as soon as told him about Hachimura. Virgilio had actually handed down the chance to pursue Hachimura, and didn’t wish to lose another

potential star. He immediately searched for Tominaga’s clips on YouTube and discovered a scorer who might strike 3-pointers from five, six, 7 feet behind the line.When he signed up with the Cornhuskers personnel in Might 2019, he encouraged Hoiberg to pursue Tominaga. But the personnel had two questions. The first: Did Tominaga have the grades to play Department I basketball? The response at the time was no, which is why he started his profession at Ranger College.”That’s something I type of remorse,”Tominaga said.”I want I ‘d studied harder.

“Editor’s Picks 2 Associated The second concern: Lincoln? The personnel wondered if a lukewarm experience in a city with a little Japanese population or a frustrating efficiency on the court might compel him to return home, where he might profit from his appeal and earn money in Japan’s pro leagues.When Tominaga initially got here in America, he could not

understand his colleagues and coaches– he could only interact through his jump shots and basketball instincts.”At the start, I had no English abilities, so I needed to show them with my basketball abilities,”Tominaga stated. “I simply require to prove I can shoot the ball. My very first day, I was shy. I could not speak English. I just had to stand there.

“For his interview with ESPN previously this month, nevertheless, Tominaga spoke English without the use of a translator. It has been a long journey to this point for Tominaga, who got the language slowly through scholastic courses but also through social interactions. A colleague at Ranger College taught him American expressions and slang words.He likewise would find out by enjoying American TV shows and films and utilize Japanese closed captions. “Coach Carter”

was his favorite. Recently, discussions with his girlfriend, Hannah Fitzpatrick, have actually assisted. A barrage of interviews with American media have, too, he said.”That’s how I began having self-confidence to just speak English,”he said.Tominaga remained in his very first year at Ranger when Hoiberg’s staff extended an offer.

They told his household that they would support him as a basketball player and student, and he soon devoted to signing up with the Cornhuskers after graduating from junior college.Four years later on, he is among the leading players in the Big Ten– he linked on 62%of his shots inside the arc last season, made honorable-mention All-Big Ten honors after averaging double figures. And those around him think he

‘ll combat to get a shot in the NBA one day after he’s done at Nebraska, too. They’re likewise promoting on his behalf.”Any NBA executive that walks into our gym, when they go out of here, they talk with me about Keisei,” Hoiberg said.”‘What’s his ceiling? Can he be an NBA player?'[ I state],’ Why not? Why can’t he?’The method he shoots it. The method he moves without the ball. … You require guys who can knock down 3-point shots and that’s what he can do. Is there any possibility he can make it to the NBA? Absolutely there is.” Tominaga’s relationship with Sam Hoiberg– his roomie and the child of the head coach– has helped the Japanese guard deepen his ties with the Lincoln neighborhood. AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall THE MORNING AFTER his group’s win over Florida A&M Rattlers on Nov. 9, Tominaga strolled into Shokunin, a sushi dining establishment in downtown Lincoln.During the game, he ‘d stayed on the bench due to an ankle injury, cheering for his teammates. When it ended, young boys and ladies tried to break through the rails for high-fives and fist-bumps from Tominaga. He got to as a number of them as he could.Shokunin, on the other hand, uses a short-term solace. Here, he is not swarmed by fans, and the calm is a relief.”I seem like people here, they just want to take selfies,”he stated

.”In Japan, people start recording. I absolutely like people talking to me and taking a picture. I don’t like taking a video.” Today, Lincoln is not

simply the next action on his basketball journey. It’s a location loaded with connections for Tominaga.When he pertained to Lincoln, he met a group of Japanese students who ended up being friends as he got used to life in Nebraska. He was presented to golf, and through it fulfilled more members of the Japanese neighborhood in the city. According to good friends, he’s a significant chef and likes to prepare standard Japanese dishes.Top stories of the week from Get unique access to thousands of premium short articles a year from leading authors. – Forecasting the CFP committee’s leading 8″- 3 overrated MLB complimentary agents”- Evaluating NFL Week 11 overreactions”More ESPN+ content “Everything makes him feel connected to home however his comfort likewise originates from the relationships he’s forged, such as his relationship with Sam Hoiberg, kid of the head coach and Tominaga’s teammate and roommate. They fight in Super MarioKart on Nintendo Change and play golf together.Hoiberg’s household survives on

a golf course, which gives Tominaga easy access to the sport he loves. It’s not unusual for him to leave practice and immediately go to a driving range or join buddies at Leading Golf in Omaha. He likes to challenge teammates and coaches, too. “It’s fun to, you understand, play and then it’s a fun feeling to improve whenever, you understand?” Tominaga said. “
I never ever play great with Sam. I do not know why. I
constantly hit like 100 or something with him.”He’s not just a Japanese basketball player but an university student who generally socializes with his colleagues, good friends and Fitzpatrick– a Nebraska local who is taking Japanese courses 5 days a week with the anticipation that she and Tominaga will one day return to Japan.Those connections have made Tominaga more comfy in Lincoln, where he’s understood to challenge teammates to one-on-one matchups after practice or cruise around campus with buddies in his new SUV. But Sam Hoiberg wonders if he’s possibly too comfy. Tominaga is not scared to talk trash to his challengers, colleagues and anyone else who wishes to compete. “Even playing games versus him or playing pool, he’s the cockiest man when he’s [winning],”Sam said. “The worst is when he’ll make fun of you and make it known that he’s winning.”Tominaga stated he returned to Nebraska for another year due to the fact that of the bonds and the chance to develop

as a player.He believes he can constantly play professional basketball in Japan, however his objective is to make a possibility in the NBA.The Japanese community in Nebraska is small but the less than 5,000 who reside in Lincoln and follow Tominaga’s career take pleasure in the opportunity.”He’s preferred,”stated Shirasaka, the Japanese citizen who goes to Nebraska games to support Tominaga.”Everybody in Lincoln, Nebraska, knows him. I’m so proud of him.”As she talked about Tominaga at the Asian Neighborhood and Cultural Center in Lincoln, her 6-year-old son, Asahi, jumped around in the back of the room. He had an imaginary basketball in his hand and pretended to dribble and take dive shots on a basketball hoop only he could see.He’s the tallest kid in his class, his

mother stated, adding that she recently bought a toy hoop to put in your home for him. He loves to shoot, and was enjoyed take a picture with Tominaga after a Nebraska game last season.”He’s an excellent shooter,” the boy, who wears Nebraska gear to school, said of Tominaga.Four years back, Tominaga fought feelings of isolation as he attempted to adjust to a brand-new culture and a new country. “It’s a lot various now, “Tominaga stated. “It’s a whole different life, various story. When I went to Ranger College, I played pickup and individuals would never pass to me because they didn’t understand who I was. That’s how I started basketball in America. Now, people recognize me and it’s a cool thing.”