TOKYO (Japan) - There's a familiar feel to the confirmed Japan roster for the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 after they named nine ballers who propelled their nation to a historic silver medal at Tokyo 2020.
That wealth of experience at the Games should help underpin Japan's bid for another podium finish and especially since the three players who did not feature at the last edition are superb additions.
Mai Yamamoto is now one of the team's leading ballers and will be expected to continue her rich vein of form from the last 12 months which saw her excel at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Hungary.
Stephanie Mawuli brings her awesome athleticism and intensity to the table and the forward will experience the extra thrill of lining up alongside her sister Evelyn in Paris.
Meanwhile veteran guard Asami Yoshida is one of the most experienced players to have ever won a Japan national team jersey. She made her senior tournament debut a staggering 17 years ago and stepped out at the Rio 2016 Games.
Of those returning nine players from Tokyo, there will be massive excitement and the potential renaissance of Olympic game assists record baller Rui Machida. She has not featured since the event for her country and the playmaker's presence could be a real difference-maker.
The rest of the roster is the trusted and talented core that has served Japan so well on their recent rise to global prominence.
The frontline of Himawari Akaho, Maki Takada and Yuki Miyazawi will get it done in the paint, while Saki Hayashi is looking like she could bring the noise again from downtown with her spectacular three-point shooting prowess.
Japan will compete in the so-called 'Group of Death' against USA, Belgium and Germany.
FIBA