Rui Machida, a player who represents the women's Basketball world in Japan, plays as a point guard in the W League (Women's Basketball League of Japan).Despite his illustrious career, which includes achievements at the Tokyo Olympics and experiences in America, the dominant sentiment that comes across from his statements is his desire to "uplift" his teammates above all else.Why can she remain so humble?

There are times when watching a basketball game, where it feels like the team is a single living entity. The charm of breathtaking coordinated play, which is distinctly different from flashy individual plays. Even when compared with other team sports, it’s within the breathtakingly rapid progression of the game that spectators might become engrossed in basketball.

Machida, the player, values the concept of basketball as a team sport more than anyone else. Her attitude embodies the spirit of “ONE FOR ALL”, always prioritizing her teammates. For instance, in places like companies or schools, we, who face many people every day, cannot help but empathize. However, perhaps it’s something we unintentionally neglect in our busy daily lives.

“I’ve never thought of myself as the center of the team. As a point guard, I do believe that I am the one who leads the team. However, all that I do is for the purpose of bringing out the best in the other players. That’s my job, and above all, it’s enjoyable. Fujitsu Red Wave might seem even more so because it’s a well-balanced team where everyone can score three points. From aggressive defense, with a quick transition, anyone who receives the ball can score quickly. “This team, possessing strength that doesn’t need to rely on just one person, is surely a good fit for me.”

You don’t have to rely on yourself alone. In other words, it means that everyone can trust each other. Although it may seem obvious, it’s not so simple. Regarding such ideal communication with teammates, Machida, the player, shared her unique thoughts.

“I believe that what’s important is having one-on-one conversations. There are times when I have to address the entire team, but I often feel like situations arise where everyone has no choice but to respond with “yes” to what I say. I wonder if that means we can’t know what the other person is thinking.”Of course, it’s important for me to convey my own thoughts to the other person, but more than that, I want to hear what they think.”

The scene of the Women’s Basketball semi-finals between Japan and France at the Tokyo Olympics on August 6, 2021, suddenly comes back to mind. On that day when Machida, the athlete, set a new Olympic record with 18 assists in a single game, he was praised as a “superstar” by the media in America, the home of basketball. When it comes to historical achievements, we tend to remember them by their outcomes. However, behind the scenes, there might have been an immeasurable, very long, and careful passage of time. In the end, I tried posing a question. Why did she choose basketball out of the many team sports available?

“Originally, I loved Baseball and had decided to keep playing it for a long time. However, when I was in the second grade of elementary school, a friend invited me to watch a basketball practice, and I was completely hooked. Everyone was just shooting, but for me, dribbling and passing were so much fun (laughs).I’ve always liked team sports. I can’t do it alone. Just because one person scores doesn’t mean we can win. Various players are constantly moving, everyone connects to one point, and everyone defends it. Soccer might be similar as well. “But for me, the sport where I felt the most ‘teamwork’, which is what I love above all else, was Basketball.”

TEXT: Yohsuke Watanabe (IN FOCUS) PHOTO: Yoko Tagawa