(NI JOSEPH BONIFACIO)

KATULAD ng ibang NBA superstars na nagsuot ng uniporme at lumaro bilang kinatawan ng kani-kanilang bansa sa Olympic Games, si three-time NBA champion Steph Curry ay nakatuon na rin ang atensyon sa quadrennial competition – ang 2020 Tokyo Olympics – at ang manalo ng gintong medalya na kukumpleto sa kanyang career bilang basketbolista.

Ang Golden State Warriors sharp-shooter, na bagamat may world titles na rin bilang bahagi ng Team USA, ay hindi pa nakakasali sa Olympics, matapos na hindi sumabak sa 2016 Rio Olympics dahil sa injury. Pero, desidido siyang muling mapabilang sa Dream Team para sa susunod na taong Olympics sa Japan, kung saan inaasahang makakasama niya sina LeBron James at Kawhi Leonard.

“I know the energy here is going to be amazing,” lahad ni Curry sa mediamen sa Tokyo.

“I haven’t played in the Olympics before. I’ve played in two World Cup teams so I’ve had the experience of representing my country. But the Olympics, from everybody that I’ve talked to that’s played, there’s no comparison to that experience.”

Ang USA ay wagi ng gold medal sa huling tatlong edition ng Olympic Games at itinalagang paborito sa Tokyo Games.

Si Curry ay kasalukuyang nasa Japan para magsagawa ng basketball clinic at natanong din hinggil kay Rui Hachimura, na gumawa ng kasaysayan noong Huwebes nang maging unang player mula sa Japan na nabunot sa first round ng NBA Draft, nang mapili bilang 9th overall pick ng Washington Wizards.

“It’s exciting for the NBA to have representation from Japan and countries all over the world,” lahad ni Curry, two-time NBA MVP, at kagagaling lang mula sa pagkatalo sa Finals laban sa Toronto Raptors.

“It speaks to how the game of basketball is growing everywhere. For him to be a trailblazer in terms of doing something that has never been done is good for this country.”

Si Hachimura, 6’9” ay may averaged 19.7 points at 6.5 rebounds sa nakaraang season bilang college junior par as Gonzaga Bulldogs.

Naging ikatlong player mula sa Japan na napabilang sa NBA, kasama sina Yuta Tabuse (Phoenix Suns) at Yuta Watanabe (Memphis Grizzlies).

At tingin ni Curry ay magtatagumpay si Hachimura, ang ina’y Japanese at amang mula sa Benin City sa Nigeria.

“He’s got good size obviously,” ani Curry. “He seems to have a high basketball IQ, good touch. I’m sure as he gets into the NBA, his game will expand. “He fits into the direction the NBA is going right now — being able to score and put pressure on the defense no matter what the situation is.”