JPN - Nishioka harnesses her Lithuanian experience

PILSEN (FIBA U17 World Championship for Women) - Risa Nishioka is proving to be a standout performer for Japan at the FIBA U17 World Championship for Women in Pilsen and much of her current leadership role was determined from her experiences in Lithuania last year.

For Nishioka was very much at the other end of the spectrum when she stepped out at the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship for Women, still at high school and the youngest player on the Japanese roster.

Not that she didn't manage to make an impression - she most certainly did. And, her Lithuanian trip continues to benefit her now.

Despite playing limited minutes at her first global event and against players who were several years older, she will always cherish the memory of coming off the bench and grabbing six points in just nine minutes against the all-conquering USA.

"I was very happy to play against them and especially to score those points," recalled Nishioka.

"Now I want to play USA many more times and to play even better.

"It is very different for me this time, going from being the youngest player and looking up to the oldest players, to now being the opposite - I am now trying to be a leader myself."

Having played only eight minutes in the opener against Australia, Nishioka has since come alive and scored 11 points in each of her last two games - the second of which was a thrilling 49-47 success against Slovak Republic which handed Japan second place in Group C.

"I was very nervous before the game but I always wanted to believe in my team-mates and they all played to win," said the Osaka native.

"We really played together and this helped us to get a big victory - it was the most important part of the game."

Looking forward to the Round of 16 and hopefully an extended stay in Pilsen for the Quarter-Finals, Nishioka is also determined to one day emulate her favourite player and step out with the senior team.

"I really look up to Ramu Tokashiki," she declared.

"She is a tall player just like me and I think she is also very tough, which is why I like her so much."

Nishioka and Japan finished Group B with two wins against Mexico and Slovak Republic, having lost their first encounter against Australia.

FIBA