When all drafts are held, all the spotlight is always on the first place winner. However, in the 2024-2024 WKBL Asian Quarter Player Draft that took place in June, the one who was the last one to receive as much attention as the one who received the most attention. Yuzuki Ishida (25, 168 centimeters) who joined Hana Bank in Bucheon as the fourth player in the second round is the hero of the draft. Ishida has drawn attention due to her cute appearance and fluent Korean skills. The season has not started yet, but she is already foreshadowing the birth of a new cutie for female farmers. (The interview took place on August 12.)
※This article is published in the September issue of Jumpball, a basketball magazine.
How did you start playing basketball?
My seven-year-old sister played basketball until high school. Since I was young, I liked my sister so much that I followed her through training. As a result, I started playing basketball naturally.
He was the team’s ace during his time at Hamamatsu Kaiseikan High School.
I think I averaged 40 points at that time. I was responsible for most of the points by myself. I played 2 to 2 as well as 1 on 1 attack. When the defense fell, I scored with a 3-pointer.
During the days of Chansong V-Magic, I learned basketball from Korean leaders Jung Hae-il and Lee Ok-ja?
When I first joined the professional team, there was Jung Hae-il. I remember I was a little scared because it was a very strict style. He preferred team play. Director Lee Ok-ja emphasized a lot of basic skills. This part was the most impressive.
After entering the professional league, he must have suffered from not being able to get a place in the team.
It was the hardest time when I was in Chanson. The W-League is an unemployed league, so I joined the company as an employee of a Chanson cosmetics company. So, I went through training after work. It was hard because I couldn’t play the game, and I also had problems with my relationship with the company. It was hard enough that I wanted to quit basketball.
How did you apply for the WKBL Asian Quarter Player Draft?
Originally, I was going to quit basketball. At that time, an acquaintance in Korea told me that the Asian quarter system would be introduced in the WKBL. I applied with the mindset that I should give it a try.
Did you know about WKBL?
I knew about it because I played a practice game during the offseason. I am close to (Kim) Jin-hee (retired) and (B) Yoon-jeong (KB Stars), who played for Woori Bank in the past. Jin-hee still keeps in touch through social media these days. I became close to Yun-jeong by talking a little during practice games.
He was selected by Hana Bank as the fourth-ranked player in the second round, which was the last Asian quarter draft.
I was so nervous that I almost threw up (laughs). I didn’t expect to be picked from the beginning, but I was glad my name was called.
It became a hot topic when you said how you felt about the nomination in Korean?
I didn’t prepare anything. I said what came to mind on the spot. I think I was so nervous that my hands were shaking.
“I’m tired because I’ve trained so much”
Ishida arrived in Korea on Aug. 6 and joined Hana Bank. She is currently training with another Asian quarter player, Yurina Watabe, sweating profusely. Both Ishida and Watabe are tongue-in-cheek at the amount of training the Korean team has been trained. It seems that they will need more time to adapt to the team. If they are perfectly integrated into Hana Bank, they are expected to create synergistic effects with Korean players including Kim Jong-un, Yang In-young, Jinan, and Kim Si-on.
Are you adjusting well to the team?
I feel like I’m going to die (laughs). The amount of training is too much. It’s definitely a big difference from Japan. I’m very shy, so I haven’t been able to approach the players yet. We’re talking little by little, but I think we need to get closer.
How much training do you have compared to Japan?
Two to three times more. Korea has morning, afternoon and night training sessions as well. In Japan, it depends on the team. Training session ends with weight training in the morning or on the court in the afternoon. After that, the training session ends with individual training sessions.
What’s the hardest part?
It’s really hard because I haven’t done a lot of weight training. I think I’ll get used to it after a while. I’m probably the least likely to weigh in on my current team. Compared to Watabe, he has a weak upper body, but he is confident in his lower body. There is no player other than Watabe who can beat him (laughs).
You speak Korean very well. Is there any problem with communication?
That’s right. They can communicate in Korean without an interpreter. When talking with players at the dorm, if Watabe doesn’t understand, I often deliver it for him.
Does the food suit your taste?
The food is really delicious and I can eat well. However, I can’t eat much because I’m having a hard time because I have a lot of training. I don’t have an appetite after training. I think I can eat a lot only on my day off.
Can you feel the cultural difference between Japan and Korea?
The difference is quite big. The relationship between seniors and juniors is clear in Korea. In Japan, I was taught that seniors and juniors should look into my eyes when talking. But Korean players keep their heads down. I don’t know what the answer is yet. I think I should ask the players.
Why did you choose number 36?
There is a Korean who buys in Japan. He is a very famous person, but when I asked him because he was close to me personally, he recommended number 36. In the meantime, there is no meaningful number because I changed my uniform number every time I change my team.
“I can’t miss Korean dramas”
The reason why Ishida can speak Korean fluently is because she has been studying Korean dramas. I watched Korean dramas at the recommendation of my colleagues in the past, and I started to fall in love with them in earnest. It is said that I have watched countless Korean dramas so far. The love for Korea is so great that I have traveled five times. Because I liked Korea, I was able to play in WKBL. After the game, Ishida was selected as a trainee and interviewed in Korean? Many WKBL fans are expected to be interested.
How did you end up watching Korean dramas through “Good Doctor”?
When I was in Chansong, my sisters were watching ‘Good Doctor’. I also got a recommendation, so I started to fall in love with it. Actually, I don’t watch Japanese dramas at all. Korean dramas have the charm of falling in love with them. Since then, I have watched countless Korean dramas. These days, I still talk about dramas and movies with (Kim) Hana often.
What is the most memorable Korean drama?
It’s all fun, so I can’t choose. I watch most of the new dramas that come out every week on Netflix. I recently watched “She Is Different from Stranger Things.” My favorite Korean actor changes every time I watch a drama. I don’t have any favorite actor these days.
Did you study Korean separately?
I didn’t study. I memorized all the Korean words after watching them for an hour. I know almost everything thanks to you. As I watched a lot of dramas, conversations became natural. When I came to Korea in the past, I used to talk with my friends in Korean.
How many times have you been to Korea?
I came here five times as a trip and twice as a training camp. I came here twice this year before joining the team. I went to Hongdae, Dongdaemun, Gangnam, and Seongsu. I went shopping and ate a lot of delicious food.
What is your favorite Korean food?
Kyochon Chicken Honey Combo. (There is karaage in Japan, too.) It is completely different from karaage in Japan. Korean chicken tastes much better when I eat it (laughs).
If you didn’t like Korea, do you think you wouldn’t come to WKBL?
I don’t think he would have applied for the Asian Quarter Player Draft. If he hadn’t come to Korea, he would have quit basketball and been living a normal life while working. 안전놀이터
Is there a place you went to on your day off?
I stayed at the dorm because I was so tired. If I get used to it more, I want to go out and play with the players. I think I need to think about what to do.
Korean fans are already paying keen attention. Do you know that?
I feel the same way. After being selected by Hana Bank in the Asian Quarter Player Draft, the number of Instagram followers increased by 1,500. I also received many messages of support. Honestly, I feel pressured. I am anxious whether I can do well or not.
You’re spending your first season in Korea. What’s your goal?
“I want to show my own style of play. If I play the game, I want to change the flow, whether it’s defense or shooting. I will try to become a player who can elevate the team’s mood.”