The Coach’s Court by Jordan Ikeda

The Coach’s Court
By JORDAN IKEDA
RAFU STAFF WRITER
Saturday, May 23, 2009

Cal State Dominguez Hills looks to rename its basketball court after legendary coach Dave Yanai.



Photo courtesy CSUDH Sports Information
The coach and his Toro players, during a huddle at Cal State Dominguez Hills.



MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS/Rafu Shimpo
Dave Yanai spent a few minutes with another basketball
legend, Wat Misaka, at a screening of a documentary on
Misaka last February.

I am a basketball junkie. I play twice a week, have two basketball blogs, and am able to write about hoops through the Rafu.

This past Christmas, I was given the NBA League Pass (which gives access to broadcasts of every single NBA game). With March Madness, the Lakers, and Rafu’s coverage of the various JA leagues and high school basketball, I’ve watched way too much hoops this past year and loved every minute of it.

Imagine my giddiness when two months ago, I had the privilege of speaking with one of the greatest basketball minds alive today.

Now, when you think of the greatest minds in college hoops, a few names immediately spring to the forefront, all of whom are in both the basketball and college basketball halls of fame.

There’s Pete Newell, who is widely considered one of the most influential basketball minds in the history of the sport. There’s Bob Knight, the all-time winningest coach in Division I basketball. And of course, there’s the Wizard of Westwood himself, John R. Wooden whose 10 championships in 12 years will never be replicated.

But there is another mind, one whom many don’t know. One who was mentored by Newell, peers with Knight, honored by Wooden. One who worked his own form of coaching magic over 28 years with Cal State University Dominguez Hills and Cal State University Los Angeles. Who finished his career with over 400 victories, one of only two California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) coaches to reach that milestone. And whether you’ve heard of him or not, his commitment to and influence in the Japanese American sports community has been unmatched.

Dave Yanai is not an imposing man. Nothing from his appearance emits basketball, let alone basketball savant. He’s got a cheery, inviting smile. A calming and friendly voice. But anyone who has ever been associated with him will tell you that the man knows basketball.

“He provided me with so much knowledge from his vantage point that I developed a very good understanding of the game of basketball to the extent that I’m in the position I’m currently in,” UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero, told the Rafu Shimpo. Guerrero worked with Yanai for ten years as CSUDH’s athletic director.

“I remember legendary Pete Newell talking about Dave as one of the finest teachers of the game of basketball,” Guerrero continued. “I saw that first hand and developed a wonderful relationship with him. I think one that is not very common between athletic director and coach.”

Not surprisingly, the current athletic director of CSUDH, Pat Guillen, echoes Guerrero’s sentiments despite spending only a single year with coach Yanai before his retirement.
“A lot of the ideals and a lot of the standards for character and integrity that I hold, really comes from coach Yanai,” Guillen said. “That’s how much he’s meant to me. He taught me how to do things the right way. He taught that to thousands of students and he continues to teach that today. That’s how he lives his life. He’s a modern day Job.”
Like Job of the Bible, coach Yanai is the essence of humility.

Of course there have been awards—the NAIA District III Coach of the Year, the NCAA West Region Coach of the Year, two CCAA Coach of the Year honors, and a John Wooden Award.

And there’s been success—advanced five teams to the NCAA Regionals, five teams to the CCAA postseason tournament, and one team to the 1979 NAIA District III championships.

But in spite of all this, he continues to shy away from attention and accolades and instead enjoys working in the background.

As far as the general public’s knowledge of him?

Let’s put it this way: he doesn’t even have his own Wikipedia entry.

But this summer, Yanai’s name will be moved into the spotlight. For his leadership both on and off the court, the CSUDH athletic department has begun a campaign to honor Yanai by renaming the Torodome the “Dave Yanai Court” as well as establish an endowed scholarship that will help future students in perpetuity.

“He’s very humble and this type of attention is not something he looks for,” said John Nojima who played for Yanai from 1983 to 87 as an all conference guard and is helping to raise money for the cause. “He was a little bit embarrassed by it at first. And I’m sure if we would have told him about it before it got off the ground, I think he would have quashed it from the beginning. But I think this is well deserved. The things that he has done, unrecognized, without fanfare or publicity, for the Japanese American community and the community in general, is unmatched by anybody in Los Angeles basketball history. It really is.”

Before Newell took him under his wing, Coach Yanai was mentored by Mas Fukai who put him to work as a founding member of a tiny little club called Gardena Friends of Richard. Under Fukai’s vision and direction, what started out as a small service organization made up of 15 boys and eight officers, has today blossomed into a basketball league featuring over 1,000 boys and girls ranging from elementary school kids to adults in their 50s.

Coach Yanai has been a charter member and advisor for what is now called Southbay FOR since 1959.

As a trailblazer in the Japanese American community, he made history by becoming the first Japanese American basketball head coach at any level in the country. Over the years, he’s put on numerous camps and clinics for FOR clubs and clubs from overseas. And he has worked as an advisor and consultant for the Japan National Team.

“He’s the true essence of a coach. He’s a mentor, he’s an educator, and he’s a leader,” said Guillen. “He taught you important things, not just about basketball, but about life.”
“One thing that is important to note is the human side of Dave,” said Henry Ota who is a lawyer and also a long time friend of coach Yanai as well as one of the founding members of FOR. “When Dave’s father passed away, my uncle Mas [Fukai] became like Dave’s dad. Mas suffered a stroke 15 years ago and became disabled. Dave never forgot what Mas had done for him and how he had given him a lot of leadership support. Throughout Mas’ disability, I know Dave was right there all the time and tried to make his life a very positive one. The same thing for when Pete Newell was going through some of his difficulties. Dave was right there.”

Coach Yanai has been right there. Right in front of us. Doing amazing things not only for the Japanese American community, but the wider spectrum of the sports community as well. He’s improved the quality of basketball not only here in the States but overseas. He’s been a major player in the development of JA basketball through FOR. And he’s influenced and touched and changed countless lives.

I can personally attest. A long time ago, when I was still learning how to dribble with my left hand, I attended one of coach Yanai’s camps. Now, nearly 15 years later, I can honestly say that coach Yanai gave me something that I continue to cherish.

My love of hoops.

This summer, the community has an opportunity to give back to coach Yanai. Give back for his years of service. Give back for the wealth of knowledge he shared. A chance to give him a little recognition by helping to ensure that his name graces the floor of the gym he physically, metaphorically and idealistically inundated with basketball.
Whether he wants it to or not…

The Dave Yanai Court Tribute and Scholarship Fund is currently trying to raise the rest of the necessary money to get see this project through its completion. A good majority has already been raised, but every donation counts, whether it be monetary or volunteer work. To donate, visit www.csudh.edu/onlinegiving or mail to CSUDH Development Office, Attn: Greg Saks, 1000 E. Victoria St. Carson, CA 90747. To find out more about the project, visit www.gotoros.com/daveyanai or email giving@csudh or contact Patrick Guillen at (310) 243-3893.

Takahara-Dias hired UH women's hoops coach

NORMAN SHAPIRO | The Honolulu Advertiser



Takahara-Dias hired as coach
• Photo gallery: UH names new women's hoops coach

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
Calling her "the best fit and the best choice" among 85 applicants, University of Hawai'i athletic director Jim Donovan introduced Dana Takahara-Dias as the school's new women's basketball coach yesterday afternoon.

Takahara-Dias, 43, was a standout on University High's state championship team in 1984 and played for UH from 1984 through 1988, going from walk-on to starting point guard and team captain as a senior.

"I've lived this program, I have worn that mini-Wahine basketball uniform back in the '80s," Takahara-Dias said during a press conference at the Stan Sheriff Center. "But I've also walked these hallways, I've graduated from here. It is a distinct pleasure and an honor to come back to the university that has given me so much."

Exact terms of the three-year contract were not disclosed, but it is believed to be worth on the lower end of the posted salary range of $118,488 to $209,784.

Takahara-Dias earned bachelor's and master's degrees from UH and coached Moanalua to O'ahu Interscholastic Association championships in 1992 and 1993 before serving as an administrative assistant to UH coach Vince Goo from 1995 to 1999.

She later became athletic director at Moanalua and has served the past four years as an administrator in the City and County of Honolulu, most recently as director of community service.

Takahara-Dias also has been head coach of the "Team Aloha" high school girls basketball all-star team that has competed in prestigious national tournaments the past three years. Several former Team Aloha players are now playing NCAA Division I basketball, including returning UH guards Keisha Kanekoa and Courtney Gaddis.

"I think she'll do good, I'm excited," said Kanekoa, a 5-foot-6 junior from Honoka'a who started 27 games last season. "I enjoyed playing for her on Team Aloha. She's a good person and I think she has a very good basketball philosophy."

Gaddis, a former standout at La Pietra and Kalani who redshirted this past season after transferring from Whitworth (Wash.), said Takahara-Dias is "definitely capable" of coaching at the DI level.

"I think she'll be fine, I think she'll do a great job," said Gaddis, a 5-11 sophomore.

Among the eight finalists for the job, Takahara-Dias was the only one without Mainland college experience. But Goo, who won a record 334 games in 17 years as UH's coach, has full confidence in her ability to find and bring in quality players.

"She is going to check out the academics ... the basketball talent ... the character of the people she wants to recruit," Goo said. "That goes a long, long way into the success of your program. And no one can sell Wahine basketball and the University of Hawai'i better than her. Like she said, she lived it."

Donovan also said Takahara-Dias shows unique potential to draw alumni and community support, which is crucial for a program that has seen deficits of more than $750,000 per year.

"I really feel like she'll instantly bring in the UH alums, and I think they can be a great nucleus because they will bring in that depth of aloha for this program," Donovan said. "I think she'll bring in boosters, she's got community contacts all over the place that will rally around her. I think people will see an immediate impact with her hire as far as the support levels for Wahine basketball."

Punahou coach Mike Taylor, who has guided the Buffanblu to four state championships in the past seven years, called Takahara-Dias' hiring "exciting" for local basketball fans.

"No. 1, she's a great person," said Taylor, who applied for the job himself. "The pool of (candidates) was terrific. But Dana will have a big impact, especially in the local community. She has a competitive spirit that just rubs off on others. She has the potential to get the people here excited about Wahine basketball."

The other candidates interviewed were George Wolfe, a Kalani grad and former UH assistant coach; Gavin Petersen, Idaho State associate head coach and former UH assistant; Patrick Harrington, Colorado assistant coach; Joan Bonvicni, former Arizona coach; Mark Trakh, former USC coach; Jennifer Young, former UC Riverside coach; and Jennifer Gross, UC Davis assistant coach.

A five-person search committee of Goo, UH associate athletic director Marilyn Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano, booster club official Don Murphy, civil rights attorney and former UH player Jill Nunokawa and Hawai'i Tourism Authority member David Uchiyama unanimously recommended Takahara-Dias as the choice late Wednesday afternoon, and Donovan approved it yesterday.

Takahara-Dias replaces Jim Bolla, who was fired on April 6 after five seasons.

Suzuki has had to prove himself

(Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle)

Suzuki has had to prove himselfSusan Slusser, Chronicle Staff Writer

Friday, May 29, 2009


Mike Scioscia is a connoisseur of catchers. He played the position in the majors, and he's notoriously hard on his own catchers. Scioscia also doesn't like to talk much about opposing players.

The Angels' manager, however, is a big fan of Kurt Suzuki, the A's catcher and the team's top bet for an All-Star spot this season. Scioscia said, "I think he's the most improved catcher in baseball from when he came into the league until now. I saw the skill set when he got here, and the way he's picked it up behind the plate. He's got the ability to be a championship-caliber player."


Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle


This is the story of Suzuki's career, proving himself to doubters over and over. He wasn't highly regarded when he got to college, either. He had to walk-on at Cal State Fullerton, he won the starting job and the team went on to win the NCAA title.

Then he had his biggest task to date, coming in during the 2007 season and taking playing time away from former All-Star Jason Kendall, who was highly respected in the Oakland clubhouse and revered by the A's pitching staff. None of Oakland's starters ever said anything directly to Suzuki, but several voiced their preference for Kendall to the coaching staff. No one wanted to throw to the rookie, and the icy reception was difficult for a 23-year-old who was eager to please.

"Kurt came into a really tough situation," A's second baseman Mark Ellis said. "I don't think he even knew how bad it was. Kendall was such a beloved figure, the pitchers loved him. Kurt was the new kid, and he was thrown into the fire, but I've never seen a player get better each day the way he has."

"You could feel it," Suzuki said of the pitchers' reticence toward him. "But I understood. Jason is unbelievable. I didn't take it personally. I just did what I could to try to speed up the process." Suzuki kept his mouth shut and his eyes open, studying everything Kendall did, and the next year, he had another mentor in then-bench coach Don Wakamatsu.

"Kurt is not just one of the best young catchers in the game, but he's proven he's as good as anyone in the game," said Wakamatsu, who is now the Mariners' manager. "I feel very proud, but it's all Kurt. He's worked so hard and he's got that sixth tool - he believes he's good."

Teaming up with Giambi
Suzuki's most recent mentor is a little unusual - first baseman Jason Giambi is providing the catcher with tips about game-calling, telling him hitters' tendencies and patterns. Giambi also helps out with settling down the pitchers during the game, making visits to the mound along with Suzuki.

Reliever Russ Springer has worked with dozens of catchers over his 17 seasons. He joined the A's this spring knowing little about Suzuki, and he's been delighted with him.

"I've thrown to a lot of big-name guys and after just a couple of months with Kurt, he already has the No. 2 slot on my list after Brad Ausmus, and Brad and I were together for four years," Springer said. "Kurt's a really good receiver, he blocks balls well and he calls a very intelligent game."

For much of this season, Suzuki has been among the A's top hitters, too, hitting over .300 through the first 40 games until going into a recent 6-for-40 funk. He also led the team with a .279 average last year, his first full season in the majors. He's had just six days off from catching in 44 games this year, and he led AL catchers in games last year, with 141.

Those are some of the reasons that a multi-year deal for Suzuki is on the A's upcoming agenda. Talks haven't started yet, but it's on the team's to-do list, probably after the June draft.

Suzuki also has something he is working on. He is raising funds for his college teammate, Jon Wilhite, who was critically injured in the car crash that killed Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart.

Wilhite left the hospital this week for his parents' home, said Suzuki, who has been texting his friend. Wilhite is receiving physical therapy five days a week, and he faces a long recovery after surgery for critical injuries. Suzuki plans to see Wilhite when the A's are in Anaheim in August, if not sooner, and he hopes to bring him to the field if possible.

Fundraising efforts
Throughout June, Suzuki, his wife Renee, and A's shortstop Orlando Cabrera and his wife, Katie, are presenting an online auction at oaklandathletics.com to go toward Wilhite's rehabilitation costs. Memorabilia available for bidding includes items autographed by Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard and Jonathan Papelbon, a basketball autographed by Shaquille O'Neal, a soccer ball signed by Mia Hamm, and Suzuki's catcher's gear.

On July 18 and 19, during a series with the Angels, more than 300 baseballs signed by A's and Angels players will be available on a "mystery" basis, hidden in paper bags to be selected by fans who make a $40 donation to the Wilhite fund.

"It's unbelievable, the support we've received," Suzuki said. "Baseball is kind of a big family and tragic things bring people together."


(Lance Iversen / The Chronicle)

Ishikawa's first homer of season boosts Giants

Ishikawa's first homer of season boosts Giants
By Darren Sabedra


Mercury News

Posted: 05/25/2009 04:16:10 PM PDT
Updated: 05/26/2009 10:59:54 AM PDT



San Francisco Giants' Travis Ishikawa is safe on a steal at second base as... ( Dino Vournas )«1234»

On his 100th at-bat this season, the Giants' Travis Ishikawa hit his first home run. The three-run shot to right capped a four-hit afternoon for the struggling first baseman and put the cherry on top of an 8-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Monday at AT&T Park.

The win and Ishikawa's breakout performance were just what the Giants needed after returning home from a dreadful 1-5 trip to San Diego and Seattle.

"It's good to finally get that one off my shoulders," said Ishikawa, who had seven homers in spring training after hitting three in 33 games last season. "But like I've said before, I am not trying to hit home runs. I'm just trying to hit balls hard, and I'm just blessed enough today that it got over the fence."

Greeted by a cloudless sky and a Memorial Day crowd of 40,034, the Giants handed left-hander Jonathan Sanchez a three-run cushion through five innings, watched him nearly lose it in the sixth and then scored five runs in the next two innings to put the Braves away.

Ishikawa wasn't originally in the lineup. But Manager Bruce Bochy made a late switch, replacing recent call-up Jesus Guzman with Ishikawa, who did not start Friday and Saturday in Seattle and was hitless in three at-bats Sunday.

"I wish I had a great reason to give you," Bochy said.

The hunch worked brilliantly as Ishikawa notched the first four-hit game of his career and hit the first home run by a Giants
first baseman this season.

The impressive output came two days after General Manager Brian Sabean suggested that Ishikawa's opportunity to play might be in jeopardy.

Asked if the G.M.'s comments pushed him, Ishikawa said, "No, I don't think so. I can't control who plays. I'm going to continue to do the same thing I've always done. (But) I guess to a certain extent, I've got to continue to show him that I deserve that spot."

It figured to be Ishikawa's day when his first hit, a single in the second, barely made it past the pitcher's mound. The popup should have been caught, but third baseman Martin Prado collided with pitcher Javier Vazquez just as Prado was about to catch the ball.

The official scorer immediately ruled the play a hit.

"That seemed like that helped him; his confidence kind of grew there," Bochy said. "He swung it well, a great day, and we needed it."

Ishikawa singled in the fifth and sixth innings before hitting the home run in the seventh. His average rose from .219 at the start of the day to .250.

Sanchez (2-4) held the Braves scoreless through five innings but lost his command after scoring from first base on Edgar Renteria's two-run double in the bottom of the fifth.

"He threw great the first five innings," Bochy said. "That's as well as he's thrown, keeping the ball down, hitting his spots."

Atlanta's Kelly Johnson opened the sixth inning with a triple to right-center, and Sanchez walked the next two batters to load the bases. When Brian McCann's single to left cut the Braves' deficit to 3-1, Bochy summoned Justin Miller from the bullpen.

Miller struck out Jeff Francoeur for the first out and walked Casey Kotchman to force in a run. He retired the next two batters to keep the Giants in front 3-2.

"We're in a tough spot there; they had some good hitters up," Bochy said. "At that point, you just want to cut down the damage, and that's what he did."

Sanchez allowed two runs and four hits in five-plus innings, winning for the first time since April 17 against Arizona. He struck out six, including the first three batters he faced, and walked three.

Vazquez (4-4) gave up five runs and eight hits in 52/3 innings.

"To be able to jump ahead and, of course, Sanchez and the rest of our bullpen doing a great job, it made things a lot easier," Ishikawa said.

Ishikawa gets the message

Ishikawa gets the messageJohn Shea, Chronicle Staff Writer

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

More...
(05-25) 21:03 PDT -- Was it curious that Travis Ishikawa and Jonathon Sanchez did in the Braves on Monday shortly after general manager Brian Sabean's state-of-the-lack-of-power address?

Or were they simply due?

Ishikawa's first four-hit game and Sanchez's first win since April 17 highlighted the Giants' 8-2 victory, only the second time this season they won by as many as six runs. The game was witnessed by a Memorial Day crowd of 40,034, including some scouts possibly checking out Sanchez.

Two days earlier, Sabean said he's actively trying to trade for a hitter, and it would be no surprise if he's dangling the lefty. Sabean also said Jesus Guzman could get more at-bats at first base to push Ishikawa. Topping it off, manager Bruce Bochy said Pablo Sandoval could play first when he returns to the lineup, an easier transition for his ailing elbow.

So, yeah, Ishikawa needed to improve his .219 batting average. Thanks to his 4-for-4, including his first homer of the year, he's hitting .250.

"You kind of hear things," Ishikawa said. "You can't control what they decide to do. ... I guess to an extent, I've got to continue to show them I deserve that spot."

Bochy had his doubts, initially planning for Guzman to play first base Monday. But two hours before the first pitch, Bochy changed his mind and went with Ishikawa, saying, "I just made the flip. I wish I had a great reason to give you."

Ishikawa's first hit was a gift - his pop-up falling after third baseman Martin Prado and pitcher Javier Vazquez collided - and might have boosted his confidence. His three-run homer came in his 100th at-bat off Buddy Carlyle in the seventh inning.

In spring training, he won the job with a team-high seven homers in 86 at-bats. Ever since then, he has been trying to return to his March mind-set.

"In spring training, I felt a lot more relaxed," Ishikawa said. "I was aggressive but not really thinking about anything. My biggest trouble comes when I work so hard trying to figure out what the pitchers will throw. I start to lock myself up and get late on pitches. Then my mechanics start to go awry. I take that thought process into the at-bat. Completely different from spring training."

Ishikawa tests team's patience

Ishikawa tests team's patience
By Andrew Baggarly
MediaNews staff
Posted: 05/24/2009 07:11:22 PM PDT
Updated: 05/25/2009 08:06:14 AM PDT
Related
May 24:
Giants first baseman Travis Ishikawa finally got a start in his hometown Sunday and showed panache while starting a 3-6-3 double play.

But that was his only highlight. He went hitless in Seattle, and he knows the pressure to produce went up the moment Jesus Guzman joined the team Thursday.

"I knew this wasn't my job to keep even when I made the team," said Ishikawa, who hit seven home runs in spring training but hasn't cleared the fence in 96 at-bats while hitting .219. "I'll continue to work hard, make the adjustments and try to become that everyday guy someday we can all rely upon."

The Atlanta Braves will start three right-handers in a series that begins today at AT&T Park. Giants manager Bruce Bochy hadn't decided upon a first baseman, but there's a good chance Guzman will be in the lineup today.

Giants general manager Brian Sabean hinted strongly that Ishikawa's window of opportunity might be closing.

"He obviously had a good spring, but with him, its consistency," Sabean said. "He's had some real good at-bats against some real good pitching and just the opposite. In his case, while we really love the defense during the time when he's struggling, the strikeouts don't help and the low on-base percentage doesn't help."

Because Ishikawa is out of minor league options, he'd have to pass through waivers before the Giants could outright him to Triple-A Fresno.

The Orange Coast Sports Association introduced its 2009 All Nikkei High School Basketball teams

Toast of the Coast
Sunday, May 17, 2009


Photos by MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS/Rafu Shimpo
Seated, from left: Jordyn Terukina, Marina High School; Michelle Joyce, Esparanza High School; Alyssa Kinoshita, Marina High School; Kelli Shimizu, Foothill High School. Middle, from left: Stephanie Numata, Cypress High School; Lynzie Numata, Cypress High School; Stacey Santos, Cerritos High School; Bethley Honma, Los Alamitos High School; Renee Lindquist, Marina High School. Standing: Michelle Yamasaki, Edison High School; Alysa Ito, Troy High School; Kristen Chikami, Troy High School; Akemi Arozuman, University High School; Noelani Viloria, Huntington Beach High School; Blair Shinoda, Foothill High School; Jordan Esparza, Fairmont High School; Kristy Kanamoto, Cerritos High School.

Photos by MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS/Rafu Shimpo
Seated, from left: Jordan Hamamoto, Western High School; Michael Wong, Glen A. Wilson High School; Tyler James, Marina High School; Garrett James, Marina High School; Kevin Nishida, Troy High School. Standing: Andrew Quon, Cerritos High School; Andy Nakase, El Toro High School; Justin Arios, Beckman High School; Willis Ota, Beckman High School; Justin Igawa, Cypress High School; JJ
James, Marina High School.

The Orange Coast Sports Association introduced its 2009 All Nikkei High School Basketball teams on Thursday night, during a ceremony at the Atrium Hotel in Irvine.

This year’s squad of honorees marks a turning point in the development of young Nikkei players in the OC. Not only have all of the 31 selected athletes played on their respective varsity teams, most have been first-stringers. Furthermore, several of them are moving on to play basketball at Division I colleges.

“The development of Orange County Nikkei players has improved to such an extent, that we have proven that boys and girls can not only compete with other bigger and taller players, but that they can excel as starters,” said emcee Jesse James.

Natalie Nakase, a former OCSA honoree who went on to a stellar career at UCLA and then into the professional ranks, was frank in encouraging the students to pursue whatever they dream.

“If you want to be a professional athlete, then go for it,” Nakase advised. “Don’t let failure or being cut stop you from continuing. If you got cut, it was because you weren’t good enough, so find your weakness and work on it.”

Also recognized during the event was Nakase’s father, Gary Nakase, who received the OCSA’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his life of service to OC youth sports.

Former UCLA star and long time referee for youth and high school basketball Kenny Brooks praised the young adults for the dedication and commitment.

“To reach excellence is hard work,” he said. “You need to focus on details and make sure everything’s in place.”

The criteria for selection included: varsity play at an Orange County high school; being of Japanese descent; if not of Japanese descent must have played SEYO basketball since the lower levels; team, tournament, league, sectional or county awards; team standing within the league or county; player statistics within the league and county, and selection to club level all-star teams.