Kawamura Yuki: Yang Hansen is talented and has a bright future. Whether I can play against China's men's basketball team in July depends on my contract.

On March 12 Beijing time, Japanese men's basketball player Kawamura Yuki was interviewed, discussing Chinese player Yang Hansen and answering whether he will participate in the World Cup qualifier between Japan and China in July.

When discussing Yang Hansen, Kawamura Yuki stated: "Honestly, he can do almost everything. He can pass, shoot, and dribble. I remember he has already played a few G League games, right? But these things require time. His future is bright, he is very talented."

“I saw him in Chicago about a month ago, we just exchanged a brief greeting. He is also trying to adapt to American culture now, and I think he is learning English, right? He is still very young, only 20 years old. So it takes time to accumulate experience. I hope he can get more playing time in the NBA later.”

Kawamura Yuki also expressed: “As an Asian player competing here, I feel very proud. I am truly proud. And honestly, I am also proud of him, Yang Hansen. Like I said, he is only 20 years old, but he is giving his best effort every day. I’m not completely sure, but from what I have seen, he is indeed striving hard.”

When asked whether he will return to the Japanese national team this summer, Kawamura Yuki said: “It depends on my contract situation. Of course, I really want to play for the Japanese national team.”

“We lost to China a month ago, but we defeated South Korea. Actually, we also had chances to win against China. China's team has been getting stronger over these years, but Japan's team just changed its head coach a month ago, so the team is still getting familiar and adjusting, many things need to be gradually sorted out. So like I said, it still depends on the contract situation, but I do hope to participate.”

“If I participate, I will be playing against China in China, probably in July, right? But that is right before the Summer League, so it’s not easy to do both. This year I also need to prove myself in the Summer League. So let’s see then, we’ll see.”

Yang Hansen delivered his career-best performance in today's G League game, playing 31 minutes and 40 seconds, making 14 out of 16 shots, 1 out of 1 three-pointer, and 1 out of 1 free throw, scoring a new career-high in the G League of 31 points, along with 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block, with a team-high +13 plus-minus rating.