“GLOBALLERS” is a project of Sun Chlorella Co., Ltd., which discovers young talents who will fly from Japan to the world and develops “Japanese basketball players who can compete with the world”. This year, the third term, we will provide a scholarship to Reon Shingo (Yokohama Municipal Toyota Junior High School) for the purpose of studying in the United States, and take a step forward toward the project’s goal of “producing at least one NBA player in 10 years.” did. We asked Futoshi Nakayama, President and CEO of Sun Chlorella Co., Ltd., about his thoughts on this project.
[Introduction of Reon Shingo]
“Even if the spotlight isn’t shining, there are some players who really shine.”
——Please tell us how you got involved in basketball.
First of all, it was extremely important to link with our core business (health food manufacturer) in terms of continuity. When I thought about what kind of positive effect I could bring to my main business, basketball was a very good balance when I looked at the player population and the male-female ratio. I also felt value in supporting opportunities for more Japanese basketball players to go overseas.
Our company held golf tournaments in Hokkaido in the past, and we were fairly well-known among golf enthusiasts in Hokkaido, but we were not well-known in the sports industry other than that. That is when I got in touch with Yuta Watanabe (currently of the Phoenix Suns) and signed a contract with him as our brand ambassador. With Watanabe’s contract as a trigger, I built relationships with people in the basketball industry, and from there I have a lot of connections, such as Tokai University Seagulls and Yuki Kawamura (Yokohama B-Corsairs).
——While the results in the field of basketball are taking shape, what is the current situation on a scale of 100?
About 20 points. Even though our products have been introduced to strong teams, there are still many students who do not know about Sun Chlorella. Regarding “GLOBALLERS” as well, due to the impact of COVID-19, we were finally able to issue scholarship winners for the first time this year. I wanted to make that kind of shape from the first year, so maybe 20 points.
——Please tell us how “GLOBALLERS” was born, and your thoughts on this project.
I had many opportunities to watch basketball games in Japan, but I felt that there was not enough spotlight on each individual. It might be a good thing about Japan, but I think that teams that are very particular about winning as a team have lost the individuality of each player. Also, I thought that even if the spotlight doesn’t really shine on the team, there might be some players who really shine if the opportunity and the environment are changed. I thought it would be better to go to America as soon as possible, and I wanted to try out for junior high school students with a scholarship, so I started this project.
──President Nakayama, I heard that you lived in the United States for about six years. What do you think are the differences between Japanese and American basketball culture?
In America, when I go to the courts in my neighborhood, I see people in their 70s, people in their 30s, and teens who are doing their best. And even though they are very different in level, a pick-up game is established. If the value of liking basketball matches, you can enter it in a pick-up game, and if you can dribble, shoot, and run a little, it feels like “Let’s play together”, and basketball is fun no matter how old you are. I felt that there is a culture that can do it. So when I saw the data that about 30% of children in Japan quit basketball when they entered university, I was shocked. I think there is significance in continuing “GLOBALLERS” in the sense that by expanding the range of choices for people who play basketball, there is a possibility that the number of people who quit the sport will be reduced.
——[ShingosignedamanagementcontractwiththeAmericansportsmanagementcompany“SBEnterprisesLCC”(hereafterSBE)inSeptemberandIheardthatSunChlorellaalsosupportedthiscontractPleasetellusabouttheprocess
There are many management companies for youth athletes like SBE in America. Among them, SBE has a ◎◎◎ program from the age of 12, and I chose “SBE” because I thought it would be a company that would follow young players and guide them to the right path.
——Please tell us why you chose Shingo as the first player to receive the scholarship.
This time, I had the opportunity to go to the United States with the selected members of “GLOBALLERS”, but there were several players other than him who had great potential and seemed to be able to succeed even if they continued to challenge in the United States. . In the end, Reine was a very important part of humanity. There were many other kids who had the same skills and physique as him, but in the end, the deciding factor was that he worked hard and listened to what people had to say.
“It’s not an impossible dream when it comes to being among the NBA 450.”
──Yuta Watanabe is producing results in the NBA. Do you think Shingo has a chance too?
Recently, Watanabe has often said in response to various media questions that “what I’ve been doing hasn’t changed in the last few years.” He really fit in as a “3&D” type of player for the Brooklyn Nets he belonged to last season. I think I was able to do it. As for Reine, he has a lot of good qualities in terms of personality, skills, and physics, so I think he will have a chance if he fits in with an environment that makes the most of his strengths. As he continues to work hard, I think it’s very important to have his skill set as well as being a good fit for a team that needs him. A superstar-level player could be on any team, but there are only about 20 out of 450 NBA players like that. Achieving that goal seems like a pipe dream, but I don’t think it’s an impossible dream to be among the 450.
── Shingo said, “I want to become absolutely famous and spread Sun Chlorella to more people.” What are your goals for future activities?
Recently, I feel that no matter what category I look at, there are many players with serious injuries. I have a strong belief that our company can contribute to the prevention of serious career-related injuries. Recently, I have been given the opportunity to speak at various schools, but I need to create opportunities for them to update their knowledge about food and their awareness of their condition, rather than simply having them drink our products. I think.
──Finally, please give a message to Shingo.
As the first person to win a scholarship, people around you may say things that put you under pressure. Even so, I hope that you will do your best toward your dreams without worrying about such things. I want you to think that this choice was good for you, so I want you to think only about that and do your best. If there’s anything we can do to support you, we’ll do it more and more, and I want you to really enjoy it without feeling any strange pressure.
Also, Sullivan Brown from SBE, who supported the tour to the United States, has come up with a very good program for him. Personally, I am very happy to have you. I wish I had had a program like this when I was younger. I was able to create something that was close to my ideal. In order to increase the number of children who think that way, I would like Reine to disseminate various information.
2023-08-11 09:03:05
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