Special feature: Winter Cup 2023
Asahi Shimbun Company
2023/12/26
(Last update: 2023/12/26)
JAL’s Jeremiah aiming for a dunk during the first game in Takaoka (Photo by Shuhei Nomura)
Jeremiah of Japan Airlines aims for a dunk during the first game of Takaoka in the second round of the Men’s National High School Basketball Championship Winter Cup.
Jeremiah of Japan Airlines jumps and passes during the first game of Takaoka in the second round of the Men’s Winter Cup National High School Basketball Championship.
Japan Airlines players form a circle before the start of the second half of the Takaoka first game of the men’s second round of the National High School Basketball Championship Winter Cup
(25th, National High School Basketball Championship Winter Cup Men’s 2nd round, Japan Airlines○98-78●Takaoka Daiichi)
The 4th quarter tearful Sendai Daimeisei ace, who embodied the teachings of his late teacher, spoke of his gratitude.
For Japan Airlines (Yamanashi), which won the national high school championship, ace second-year student Oluwapelumi Jeramaia played a big role in both offense and defense in the first game against Takaoka, with 33 points, 31 rebounds, and 2 blocks. He helped advance to the third round.
“Today I did 50% (performance). Tomorrow I want to get it to 70%. All my teammates scored. That’s amazing. I want to improve my passing and driving (dribbling under the goal).” She smiled and spoke in Japanese.
Originally from Nigeria. He is exactly 2 meters tall, and her jumping ability is outstanding. Among his favorite dunks, he likes the “windmill,” in which he hits the dunk by spinning one hand like a windmill, and he often tries it out in practice. However, on the day of the first match, he had to settle for just a two-handed dunk.
“The score difference was close today. I only have one hand when the score difference is wide. Winning is the best.”
His nickname is Jerry. He played soccer from the age of 4 until he was 10. His position is center forward. He “grew up watching Ronald and Messi.” By the age of 10, he had grown rapidly and his parents and friends encouraged him to play basketball. “He played soccer, so he could run and jump and score points. He was getting better and better.”
His position in Japan was center, but in Nigeria he often played as small forward, where he could make better use of his mobility. “When I become a professional player someday, I want to play forward,” he says.
During last winter’s Winter Cup and this summer’s high school tournament, I realized the difference between myself and international students at other schools.
“Other overseas players go to shoot when they have the ball. I’m different. If someone becomes free, I can pass. If two players follow me, someone becomes free. I always check that. If I pass a pass, my teammates will catch it well. I always make sure I have options.”
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He has a cheerful personality and is always picking on his teammates at Japan Airlines, but he misses his family far away. She said, “I call my parents at least three times a week.I want to talk to them every day, but it’s difficult because of the time difference.”
On his birthday, he received gifts of juice and sweets from his teammates, and ate his favorite dish, Kentucky Fried Chicken, with the bones in it. Her goals with her friends, who are like her family, are clear. Jerry says flatly.
“It’s my second time being number one in Japan (following the high school overall).”
(Shuhei Nomura)
= Published in Asahi Shimbun Digital December 25, 2023
2023-12-25 22:21:42
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