J. R. Sakuragi
Marinos de Anzoátegui | |
| 2006 | Grises de Humacao |
|---|---|
| 2006–2007 | Aisin Seahorses |
| 2007 | Grises de Humacao |
| 2007–2020 | Aisin Seahorses |
| 2023 | Koshigaya Alphas |
| As coach: | |
| 2020–2021 | Aisin AW Wings |
| 2021–2023 | Koshigaya Alphas |
| 2023–present | Toyama Grouses |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Medals | |
J. R. Sakuragi (Japanese: 桜木 ジェイアール, Hepburn: Sakuragi Jei Āru, born Milton J. Henderson Jr.; October 30, 1976) is an American-Japanese professional basketball player.
Biography
Raised in
All-Pac-10 first team during his sophomore and senior seasons,[3] and was also named the Bruins' co-most valuable player both years as well.[4] He averaged 14.2 points per game in his four-year career at the school. He was selected by the Vancouver Grizzlies in the 2nd round (56th pick) of the 1998 NBA draft where he played one season.[5]
Sakuragi played the next two years for teams in Las Vegas and France and summer-league teams in Puerto Rico and the Philippines.Aisin Seahorses of the JBL Super League, averaging 21.5 points and 11.6 rebounds per game in 2006.[5]
Sakuragi's application to become a
sakura cherry blossoms. It also corresponded to the name of Hanamichi Sakuragi, the protagonist of the popular basketball manga Slam Dunk.[6]
Sakuragi played for the
Japan national team as they competed in the 2007 FIBA Asia Championship, a qualifier for the 2008 Summer Olympics.[8]
To comply with Japanese naturalization requirements, Sakuragi taught himself to read, speak and write Japanese at a "rudimentary level". He intended to stay in Japan without intention of returning to live in the U.S.[6]
References
- ^ Bolch, Ben; Maddy, Eric (March 21, 2020). "Where are they now? A look at UCLA's 1995 NCAA men's basketball championship team". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
- ^ Finney, Ryan (2010). "2010–11 UCLA Men's Basketball Media Guide" (PDF). UCLA Athletic Department. p. 111. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 8, 2011.
- ^ Finney 2010, p. 105.
- ^ Finney 2010, p. 110.
- ^ a b c Kaz Nagatsuka, Former UCLA player gets Japanese citizenship, spot on national hoops team, The Japan Times, July 17, 2007.
- ^ a b c Former Bruin is now Japan’s J.R. Sakuragi, Los Angeles Times, January 21, 2008.
- ^ Jerry Crowe, Former Bruin a true citizen of the world, Los Angeles Times, July 24, 2007.
- ^ Jerry Crowe, Former Bruin finds security in his adopted homeland, Los Angeles Times, July 24, 2007.
External links
Media related to J. R. Sakuragi at Wikimedia Commons- J. R. Sakuragi Basketball Player Profile, stats, biography, career at Asia-Basket.com
- Career statistics and player information from NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com
- "SeaHorses veteran J.R. Sakuragi announces retirement"
